It’s almost the end of the summer and you may find yourself feeling anxious or glum – the general state of the world aside – and there’s a reason for it. The good news is it’s not just you, the bad news is, it’s common enough. There’s evidence that the return of shorter days as we edge toward winter — as well as soon-to-be colder temperatures — can raise anxiety levels among adults.It isn’t quite the same as an affective disorder, though.
According to Stephen Ferrando, director of psychiatry at Westchester Medical Center, the experience of seasonal depression in the summertime is more of an agitated and anxious depressive state. On the other hand, those who experience seasonal depression in the winter are more likely to fall into a vegetative depressive state. Seasonal mood changes that don’t meet the SAD criteria are considered “subclinical” — insufficiently severe and/or consistent to merit diagnosis, he explains.
“Something that is more subclinical has a shorter duration, is less severe, and fluctuates,” said Ferrando. “If something good happens, you feel better, and if something not so good happens, you feel worse, but it’s a little more reactive to circumstance. A true disorder doesn’t react well to circumstance.”We know it will get freezing and the last thing you want to do is leave your cosy house, but exercising boosts the feel-good chemical endorphins which give you a natural lift.
Work can wait and you’ll find your mood much more even-keeled if you can enjoy the here and now. It’s also worthwhile to find ways to be present, whether that’s spending time in nature or literally just watching TV without scrolling your phone at the same time.It’s tempting to indulge in many hours of extra shuteye during the longer days, but research indicates that this isn’t the route to go down if you’re looking to regulate your mood.