Today in the Psychologist Calgary Blog, I’m going to talk about the summer months and some of the mental health challenges we face in Calgary when it finally warms up outside. Summertime in Calgary can open a world of possibilities to get outside and experience things that may not be available during the colder months: floating down the Bow River, Stampeding, camping with only a few layers of clothing rather than parkas and long underwear! Engaging in a variety of activities, being active, socializing, and spending time outside (with the added bonus of increasing Vitamin D levels) can be a great way to maintain our mental health.
However, for some, summer can also be a time when mental health concerns are aggravated. For some, a sense of routine and structure can keep concerns such as depression or anxiety at bay. In the summer months, routines may change or become more laid back and, though it may be a nice break for a while, over time it can also lead to increases in feelings of unease, irritability, listlessness, and loneliness. This can be especially true for school-aged children, college students, teachers, and other people who typically have a change in schedule over the summer months.
For children, setting expectations for the summer days can be useful. For example, letting them know that you would like to have them bathe and dress each day, set play dates, explore the option of day camps or other activities they may be interested in (e.g. camping with family, going to the zoo or Science centre, picnic in Fish Creek Park). This both keeps a sense of structure for them as well as can encourage social and learning activities. Teens may be interested in exploring opportunities for part-time paid or volunteer work at their favourite store or entertainment location.
Re-introducing a sense of routine may assist in once again relieving symptoms. You might consider picking consistent times to get up and go to bed each day – even if you have no specific commitments during the day. You may also want to choose goals or projects to engage in (e.g. maybe it’s a good time to paint your deck, start a scrapbook, try walking somewhere new, or even download a new book to your kindle) or book social activities to plan and look forward to (e.g. perhaps it’s a good time to break in that new BBQ with friends). Finally, remember to pay attention to the “should”s that might be bombarding your mind and bringing you down or causing stress. You may feel like there are many things that you “should” be doing with your time during the summer. It’s important to balance these “should”s with recognizing the potential benefits of doing something that you will find rewarding and fulfilling.