Seasonal Depression in the Summer — it’s a real thing
The Texas heat this summer has been excessive, exhausting, and just downright miserable. I’ve been living in Austin since the beginning of 2023 (and lived in Houston for many years before that), and this has definitely been one of the worst summers I’ve ever experienced with the heat. Being in a place that has so much access to fun, outdoor spaces but not even being able to go outside (without drenching in sweat and feeling dehydrated) has been frustrating to say the least.
If you’ve been struggling with your mental health this summer, you are not alone. This is what we call reverse seasonal depression. When people hear the words “seasonal depression”, they typically imagine a gloomy, overcast, cold place for months on end (like Seattle). They don’t tend to think of places where the sun is shining — like Austin! But reverse seasonal depression is a very real thing, and I’ve spoken with many people who have been struggling with their mental health this past summer because of the heat.
This can also be especially hard if your primary coping mechanisms take place outside. For me, going on daily walks has been a part of my routine since moving to Austin. Walking is something that keeps me feeling grounded and brings me back to the present, especially when I’m feeling stressed out or just need a break from everything. Not being able to enjoy our typical self-care routines can feel like a pretty big disruption and can take a serious toll on our emotional health and well-being.
Thankfully, it’s now mid-September, and we’re starting to get back into the 90’s after 45 days of it being over 100 degrees. When going through a tough period like seasonal depression, I like to encourage people to be mindful of their inner-dialogue, and to be especially cautious of the “permanence mindset”. Reminding yourself that this is a temporary state that will end can instill hope about the future. It also doesn’t hurt to plan things that you’ll look forward to, like a vacation or even a happy hour with friends (indoors, of course). Planning things that make you feel excited, especially when it relates to social connection, can be so important when trying to manage seasonal depression.
If anything, I hope this atrocious weather can serve as our reminder that there will always be some things we don’t have control over (like the weather), and we have the option to re-focus our energy into what we do have control over. That’s how we step into our empowerment to take control of our lives, and to take care of ourselves.
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If you are looking for a Houston therapist, feel free to explore my website to see if we might be a good fit to work together. I work with young professional women in Houston (and throughout Texas) navigating anxiety, relationship struggles, and life transitions.
Please note: this blog post is for practice updates and educational purposes only. This is not a replacement for mental health counseling or therapy.
