8 Tricks to Beat the Summer Heat When You’re Depressed
Summer heat can be unbearable for those with depressed moods. If your summer doesn't start off well, you might fall back into the same issues that plagued you last year, and the year before. This isn't the ideal situation but you can still beat the heat if you play your cards right.
1.Stay hydrated
Drinking plenty of water is one of the best ways to stay hydrated during hot weather. It can also help prevent dehydration, which can worsen symptoms of SAD. Dehydration is especially dangerous for people who take medications for depression because these drugs tend to cause fluid retention in the body.
Additionally, hydration helps your body function properly. Water helps regulate your body temperature, which is important when it's hot outside. If we don't get enough water, our bodies will release more sweat in an attempt to cool off. This can lead to dehydration and make you feel even worse than before! More importantly, water can also help relieve physical symptoms of depression such as fatigue and dizziness.
2. Wear comfortable clothing
Clothing that is loose-fitting can help you beat the summer heat when you're depressed. This is because it helps regulate your body temperature. Contrary, iIf you're wearing clothes that are too tight or restrictive, they can trap heat inside of them and make you feel even hotter.
Wearing comfortable clothing also makes it easier for your body to cool itself down by allowing sweat to evaporate more quickly. It's important to remember that even though summer was designed as an escape from cold weather, many people still experience depression during this time of year due to seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Because of this fact, it's important not to overdo things when dressing for warmer weather and remember that comfort should be a priority!
3. Don’t overdo dieting
If you're feeling down, it can be tempting to try to fix things by losing weight, but that's not always the best idea. Dieting may help with short-term depression, but it can actually make your symptoms worse over time.
As we all know, dieting is hard—especially when you're already feeling down. But if you go on a crash diet or cut calories drastically, you may end up feeling even more isolated and alone than before. That's because your body needs food for energy to fight off depression symptoms and boost your mood naturally! So don't skip meals or starve yourself.
Instead, focus on eating regular meals throughout the day and choosing complex carbs like whole grains and starchy vegetables like potatoes that will give you lasting energy without making your blood sugar spike too high or drop too low (which can trigger or worsen depression symptoms).
4. Keep up with your exercise
Exercise can help you beat the summer heat in a few ways. First, it boosts your mood. When you work out, your body releases endorphins, which make you feel happier and more relaxed. Second, it helps you sleep better. Studies show that people who exercise regularly are able to fall asleep faster and sleep longer than those who don't and that's important because lack of sleep can make symptoms of depression worse. Finally, regular exercise has been shown to improve concentration levels and reduce stress levels by lowering cortisol levels in the body (cortisol is a hormone that contributes to feelings of anxiety).
5. Get regular sleep
We all know that not getting enough sleep can make us feel more tired, cranky and less able to function at our best. That's especially true when we're struggling with depression. That’s why it is important for depressed people to have a consistent sleep routine.
Adequate sleep which means about seven hours per night for most adults is essential for both physical and mental health. It helps regulate hormone levels in the body, including serotonin and melatonin, which are linked to feelings of well being and happiness. And studies show that people who get adequate sleep tend to have lower rates of depression than those who don't get enough restful slumber each night.
6. You should swim
Swimming is not only a great way to beat the summer heat, but it can also help you feel better emotionally. The cool water will give your body a chance to cool down, which can help ease your depression symptoms.
It's also a good way to exercise without putting too much pressure on your joints or back. That’s why, if you have arthritis or other joint issues, swimming is an excellent choice for staying fit without causing further damage.
Likewise, if you're suffering from depression, swimming may help reduce stress and anxiety by giving you an opportunity to relax and focus on something other than your symptoms. The physical activity required for swimming can also boost endorphins, hormones released by the brain which help alleviate depression symptoms and make you feel better overall.
7. Get help from others
When you're depressed, it can feel like nobody understands what you're going through. But that's not true. There are many people who have been through similar experiences and understand exactly how hard it can be to get out of bed when your head hurts or your heart aches. You can do this by joining an online support group.
You'll find groups on Facebook, Reddit, Twitter and many other sites dedicated specifically to supporting people with mental health issues such as depression or anxiety disorder. These groups provide a place where others can share their experiences and offer advice about how best to manage depression during the summer months. The best part is that you will never feel judged or criticized because you know they are in the same situation as you.
8. Don’t beat yourself up
Many people who suffer from depression find that when they're depressed, they tend to feel more negative and critical of themselves. That's why many people find that it's especially important to make sure they're taking good care of themselves during the summer months and not just because of high temperatures.
The summer months are often a time when people with depression tend to feel more isolated and alone, which can make it harder for them to get out of bed in the morning and enjoy being outside. But if you focus on positive self-care practices like eating healthy foods and exercising regularly, these habits will help keep your mood stable over the long term even if it feels like there's nothing left right now!
It's also important to remember that no matter what is going on in your life right now, this too shall pass. These days can be incredibly difficult, but with some patience and self-compassion, we believe that things will get better soon enough!
In the end, whether or not heat affects your depression will depend on a variety of factors: how high your typical summer temperature is, how hot you personally tend to be, how humid your climate is, etc. Fortunately, there are ways to enjoy the season without allowing it to wreak havoc on your mental health during the warmer months.
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