How to Mentally Prepare for Summer
This may sound strange to some, but I admit, initially it sounded strange to me. Most people have heard of winter blues or Seasonal Affective Disorder (which is associated with autumn/winter), but rarely does anyone associate mood issues (especially depression) with summer months. However, it’s not unheard of, and recently, I began paying attention to what many people around me were saying and how they were behaving. I thought to myself, “Well, it’s just them,” and blew it off. But it wasn’t just them. And as I began investigating, there seems to be a lengthy list of reasons why. So, let’s dive in.
Graduation. This is the season of graduation, and graduation is a time of celebration for most. However, it can bring about sadness and anxiety. While many people look at it as the beginning of a new chapter, many may view it as a stressful end. They ask what is next. For recent graduates, they may not have yet mapped a plan for their future. Maybe they can’t find or job or have a career chosen. Perhaps they were planning on college but they didn’t get accepted, applied too late, or didn’t have the financial means to attend. All of this can lead to feelings of anxiety and stress.
Or maybe things did work out, but now there is the reality of moving away from the comforts of home. For some, anxiety and depression may be securing a place to live. Or the realization that he/she will be moving to a place where he/she doesn’t know anyone. There could be anxiety about fitting in or feelings of loneliness about separating from family and lifelong friends. Shy people may have difficulty making new friends and feel isolated.
For parents, it may be the awareness that their “baby” is now an adult and will be flying the coop. Empty-nesters may have difficulty occupying their free time. Sure, the dream of not having to be responsible for children anymore may seem appealing, and for some, that freedom is welcomed. However, for others, the grass is always greener on the other side is appropriate. What they actually end up getting may not be what they anticipated.
Summer Bods. I know; I know. This sounds crazy, but for many people, this is a source of anxiety and depression. Last year, an associate went on vacation at the beach. In October she had given birth, and in January, she fell. The fall left her with a serious back injury. Not only could she not lose the baby weight, but she also added a few pounds due to being laid up. Everyone assured her that she looked amazing, and she did. But on her first day at the beach, she overheard a group of messy chatty making disparaging remarks about her, including calling her disgusting. She became so self-conscious about her appearance that she didn’t enjoy her vacation. She spent the entire time agonizing over each calorie she put in her mouth and avoided swimming. In fact, she refused to put on a bathing suit and went to the beach in baggy t-shirts and capri pants.
Hurricane Season. This is a big one where I reside because there’s no way of avoiding it other than to move to a different region. It’s hard to explain, but once a person has experienced a major hurricane and seen the massive destruction, the start of the season is never welcomed. Some people are so traumatized that the slightest mention of a disturbance puts them on edge. And many news outlets begin reporting about “disturbances” so far in advance and with so many “projective paths” that viewers can’t plan appropriately.
Lack of funds. This is a bummer regardless of the season, but summer can be one of the more challenging times. Christmas and birthdays (and other times of gift giving) when low on funds may dampen one’s spirits. A person may feel embarrassed or sad not to be able to give or reciprocate gifts. But lack of funds during the summer cause increased sadness because it’s a time when many people go on vacation and post all those fun and spirited photos on social media. It’s easy for one to feel left out.
Being stuck inside. This could go either way. For persons who work outside, they may rather have an inside job where it’s nice and cool. But for many workers, being stuck inside working instead of being outside enjoying the sunshine may really drag their moods into the toilets.
These are just a few of the causes that may spark summer depression or anxiety. So, what can be done to prevent or reduce them (and others)?
Make a schedule of things that you know will bring you joy, fit into your schedule, and fit into your budget. This may include day trips (e.g., an outdoor concert or a visit to the zoo). Perhaps it includes having lunch with a friend outside instead of in the cafeteria or going for a walk in the park after work. One friend who couldn’t afford a vacation got together with neighbors and had a block party. Another friend attended as many local community events as she could. For example, every Thursday during the summer, her town held a farmer’s market. Afterward, once the sun began to set, there was an outdoor screening of a movie with free popcorn. All that was required was a lawn chair.Avoid viewing media outlets that will cause unnecessary anxiety and/or stress. When I was growing up, my father watched CNN continuously. The only time he switched the channel was for the local news, a football or baseball game, or a John Wayne movie. He would sometimes chastise me for not wanting to be informed of what was happening in the world. What he failed to realize is that I wasn’t choosing to be ignorant. Rather, I was choosing to preserve my mental health. I would dare to say that 98% (don’t quote me on that as I don’t have an actual percentage and this is just my opinionated guess) of news shown was negative in nature—shootings, war, cultural tensions, natural disasters, manmade disasters, murders, burglaries, rapes, kidnapping, deaths, etc. Happy or positive stories seemed to be viewed as feel-good stories that didn’t sell papers or get views. But constant doom and gloom can wear on one’s mental health. It was hard to view anything good in the world when all being heard and seen was evil.Opinions are like _____, everyone has one. I’m sure most people can fill in the blank. Don’t allow people’s opinions to kill your joy. You have a right to enjoy life just like everyone else. It’s not what others say about you that counts. It’s how you feel about yourself that matters most. However, if ignoring others seem too difficult pick an alternative that will bring as much joy. With my friend and her beach experience, instead of spending time on a public beach, an alternative could be going to a private beach or boating. Earbuds are also another great option.Being prepared. With the weather, there’s no changing or preventing it. What makes it scary is the fact that it can’t be controlled. However, one can choose how he/she will respond. Being prepared with a disaster plan and emergency kit gives a person about as much control as one could have in that situation. During the first weeks of the pandemic when many supplies were in shortage, the people who were a little less stressed were those who had adequate (and I don’t mean hoarded) supplies. I remember being in Dollar General when I bumped into a sister-in-law who told me there was about to be a shutdown. I thought no way that would ever happen. That was just a bunch of crazy talk. But then, I began to question what would happen if she was correct and my thought instantly turned to my elderly mother and the effects it would have on her. I began preparing as if I would for a hurricane—purchasing essentials, enough for two weeks. (I know most sites suggest three days’ worth, but I lived through Katrina. Three days’ worth wasn’t nearly enough.) That instinct paid off, and the only supply that we ran short of during that time was disinfectant wipes which weren’t all that big of a deal. Among all else that was happening, the one peace of mind I had was that my mother was taken care of. I couldn’t control much else.Spend time with family and friends. Make lots of memories. If moving off or preparing to have an empty nest, begin looking for activities or clubs that can begin to fill the void a little. One friend signed up to begin taking an online class in the fall when her youngest child graduated.Don’t overlook the little things and the small joys in life. An associate stated that she always felt down after looking at the social media (especially Instagram) of others and she didn’t have any content to post. Her friends were having fabulous vacations and getting married while she didn’t have anything “exciting” happening in her life. Then, she began posting photos of things that made her smile throughout the day (e.g., a double rainbow after a thunderstorm, flowers in her garden, a pair of new sandals, a remodeled craft room, etc. Truthfully, she didn’t remodel. She just rearranged it.).Well, those are just a few thoughts on how to mentally prepare for the summer. I have more researched suggestions; so, if you’d like a part two of this topic, let me know in the comment section.
That concludes this post. Now, it’s your turn to sound off. What did you think? What is your take on the subject? Do you agree or disagree? Did you find this information helpful or informative? Did you learn anything new, or did it change your opinion? Let me know your thoughts in the comment section. Also, let me know if you would like me to cover more of these types of topics or dive deeper into this one. If you like this post, please click the like button and share it. Your feedback allows me to know the content that you want to read. If you’re not following me on Creole Bayou blog, what are you waiting for? There’s always room at the bayou.
Get ready. It’s time to hit the ice again. Future Goals has arrived and is available.
When a college hockey player needs the help of an attractive older attorney, he gets more than he bargained for when trying to sort out the troubles in his career. Falling in love was never part of either man’s plan, especially as Corrigan’s and Sacha’s lives should never have collided. Now they’re left questioning if they’re standing in the way of the other’s future goals, or if there’s room for redirection.
Order your copy at:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3RjPYb9
Other booksellers: https://bit.ly/3CI8d5W
Missed the first four books in my hockey romance series? No frets.
Out of the Penalty Box (book #1), where it is one minute in the box or a lifetime out, is available at http://amzn.to/2Bhnngw. It also can be ordered on iTunes, Nook, or Kobo. For more links on where to purchase or to read the blurb, please visit http://bit.ly/2i9SqpH.
Defending the Net (book #2) can be ordered at https://amzn.to/2N7fj8q or www.books2read.com/defending. Crossing the line could cost the game.
Ice Gladiators (book #3) is the third book in my Locker Room Love series. When the gloves come off, the games begin. Available at https://amzn.to/2TGFsyD or www.books2read.com/icegladiators.
Penalty Kill (book #4) retakes the ice. Get a copy at https://amzn.to/3ex0N9p or https://amzn.to/3ex0N9p and let the pucker begin.
For more of my stories, shenanigans, giveaways, and more, check out my blog, Creole Bayou, www.genevivechambleeconnect.wordpress.com. New posts are made on Wednesdays, and everything is raw and unscathed. Climb on in a pirogue and join me on the bayou.
If you have any questions or suggestions about this post or any others, feel free to comment below or tweet me at @dolynesaidso. You also can follow me on Instagram at genevivechambleeauthor or for search me on Goodreads or Amazon Authors or BookBub or TikTok.
NEWSLETTER! Want to get the latest information and updates about my writing projects, giveaways, contests, and reveals first? Click https://genevivechambleeconnect.wordpress.com/newsletter/ and signup today.
Until next time, happy reading and much romance. Laissez le bon temps rouler.
Author Bio
Genevive Chamblee resides in the Bayou country where sweet tea and SEC football reign supreme. She is known for being witty (or so she thinks), getting lost anywhere beyond her front yard (the back is pushing it as she’s very geographically challenged), falling in love with shelter animals (and she adopts them), asking off-the-beaten-path questions that make one go “hmm”, and preparing home-cooked Creole meals that are as spicy as her writing. Genevive specializes in spinning steamy, romantic tales with humorous flair, diverse characters, and quirky views of love and human behavior. She also is not afraid to delve into darker romances as well.
