Latest news with #seasonalaffectivedisorder
CBC
30-07-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Feeling bad about being inside during the summer? Sunshine guilt isn't uncommon
Social Sharing Around half past noon on a Tuesday in late July, Casey Blustein zipped a tennis racket into his backpack and made the quick walk to the waterfront tennis courts at Vancouver's Kitsilano Beach. He had an hour for lunch and wasn't about to spend it near his desk when the temperature had hit a prime 25 C. "We live in Canada, so we only have four months of summer," said Blustein. "When you're sitting at home doing nothing, you're feeling guilty. Like, there's always something more I could be doing." Blustein, 32, measures the time since his move from Toronto by his summers spent in Vancouver — this year is his fourth. "I don't even turn my Xbox on the entire summer. Catch up on shows? Whatever. There's always someone at the beach, there's always a bike ride you could be going on," he said. "You see videos of people in the backcountry and it's like, 'Ah, I could be going and doing that.' Why would I want to be in the city doing nothing?" Psychologists say it's not uncommon to feel pressure to spend as much time outside as possible during the fleeting summer months, which can lead some people to feel badly if they're stuck inside. So-called "sunshine guilt" is especially acute in Canada, experts say, because of the sense of urgency to maximize nice weather before it's gone. Summertime sadness Changing seasons often bring up different emotions as routines change — and summer is no exception. Seasonal affective disorder can affect people during hotter months and climate anxiety can hit harder as temperatures spike and wildfires begin. For some, it can manifest as anxiety about making the most of a beautiful day rather than "wasting" hours on downtime or work inside. And videos on Instagram or TikTok showing friends and family having what looks like a great time can compound those feelings. "We have the fear of missing out. You're like, 'Okay, I need to go, I need to enjoy the summer because it's really not long,'" said Yohana Combari, 27, a Montrealer who wanted to spend the last of her five-day West Coast vacation parked on a beach blanket in Kitsilano. "I want to enjoy every minute." WATCH | How seasonal affective disorder can still happen in the summer: Summertime sadness is a real thing. Here's what you need to know 2 months ago Growing up in Mexico City, Aurora Tejeida, 36, used to take sunny days for granted. Not anymore. Having lived in Vancouver for more than a decade, she's moved her sapphic novel book club outside for the summer. This month, they'll meet at Kitsilano Beach to talk about Anna Dorn's Perfume and Pain. ("Not my favourite this year," she said.) "I feel like I need to take advantage of a sunny day whenever I have the chance," the communications manager said in an interview from her home on Commercial Drive. "The guilt is so overwhelming that, towards the end of the summer, I'm kind of ready for fall because then you don't have to feel guilty about staying home and watching a movie or something." Robyn Manzano, a registered psychologist and the clinic director of Refresh Counselling in Calgary, said summertime shame and guilt come up in her practice all the time. Her suggestion? Tiny — be it a few minutes spent outside in the morning with a mug of coffee or a walk around the block after dinner. "It could just be, 'OK, I'm going to go stand outside for a little bit and bask in the sun," she said. "Or the thing that I'm doing indoors, can I take it outside? Or, you know, can I have a picnic? Can I read my book outside? Can I watch whatever it is outside?" She also said summer doesn't have to be perfect to be great — and rest is nothing to feel guilty about. "I think people forget about what they need and think, 'But I should be outside because it's sunny,'" she said. "But if you're thinking, 'I need a day where I just crawl into the couch and read a book or watch a movie' ... Well, that's what you need right now." During the summer, Blustein tries to structure his workday so he can get meetings out of the way in the morning and spend the rest of the day on paperwork, emails and Slack messages. He doesn't mind the urgency of the summer season pushing him to do more but can understand why others might have a hard time. "I'm a pretty big extrovert, so I don't need the battery recharging time — but a lot of people do," he said, rushing to start his tennis game before his lunch break ended. "I don't know how they get that in the summer."
CBS News
16-07-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Alaska teen using light-up dresses to combat darkness honored for her work in STEM
In Alaska, a place where sunlight can vanish for weeks at a time, high school senior Sara DeVolld is finding her own way to brighten the world - one stitch at a time. "I am a fourth-generation Alaskan," said DeVolld. "This is my design company, Vintage Train Case, where I fuse modern science and technology with classic art and design." What started with fabric scraps and a childhood love of sewing has grown into a nationally recognized effort to bring light - both literally and figuratively - to her community. "Many Alaskans suffer from what's called seasonal affective disorder and consequently, Alaska has the second highest suicide rate in the nation," said DeVolld. "I aim to combat that by bringing light and joy to a world that can seem dark and overwhelming." DeVolld designs custom gowns embedded with LED lights and even mechanical components, including a 6-foot pair of wings that open using a motorized actuator. Some of her creations take over 300 hours to complete. DeVolld sews each dress by hand, engineers the lighting, and integrates STEM elements herself, a process she taught herself using online tutorials and trial-and-error. DeVolld was selected as a National STEM Champion and traveled from Alaska to Washington, D.C., to share her message of creativity, light, and self-expression. "I was amazed, I was debating whether I should even enter," DeVolld recalled. "Because what I do doesn't really check a box, it's hard to kind of fit into a category. But I did it anyway and I want other kids to do the same." Her work is deeply personal. Growing up in a state that experiences extreme darkness and has one of the highest suicide rates in the U.S., DeVolld believes fashion can be a form of healing. In addition to designing dresses, Devolld gives back through mentorship. She teaches ballet to younger students, gives school talks about girls in STEM, and created a program called Dance for Heart that promotes physical and emotional wellness through movement. DeVolld's mother, Shona DeVolld, said her creativity is matched only by her compassion. "She's a kind, friendly, engaging person who loves people." This summer, DeVolld attended a pre-college program at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, continuing to develop her technical skills while staying true to her mission. "Light for me means glowing joy, pure joy in the form of warmth and I love that I'm able to find technology that lets me add that to my gowns so that I can show light to other people and what light means to me for others," said DeVolld.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
‘Summer SAD': How hotter temperatures can affect your mental health
The summer sun isn't always associated with feelings of happiness. While the winter's lack of sunlight leads to seasonal affective disorder (SAD) for many, there are also people who experience the same symptoms during the warmer months. SAD is a type of depression that is triggered by the changes in the seasons, whether that be the transition into winter's colder temperatures and grayer skies, or the warmer weather and sunshine of the summer months. Summer SAD symptoms are often thought of as the exact opposite of those of its winter counterpart. They include increased fatigue, irritability, insomnia, and anxiety. Summer SAD is also a more agitated depression, where people tend to feel more distressed than lethargic, as in winter depression. Individuals with summer depression may be at an increased risk of suicide. Suicidal behavior peaks in the late spring and early summer, but dips in the winter. According to clinical psychologist Adam Borland, who spoke to the Cleveland Clinic, summer SAD is caused by 'a combination of physiological and environmental issues.' One potential cause could be feeling drained by the heat, where spending time outside results in a feeling of exhaustion. Summer SAD could also be triggered by changes in routine that occur when the sun is out longer, resulting in someone going to bed later and possibly receiving less sleep. 'There might also be a sense of pressure to feel happier because it's summer,' Borland said. In a world filled with social media posts about people enjoying their summer, leading to feelings of not 'doing enough' with your own summer. 'Some people also express anxiety about actual physical appearance and, therefore, are avoidant of certain activities,' Borland added. In terms of monitoring summer SAD symptoms, Borland recommends trying to stick closely to the same routine, specifically the time you wake up and go to sleep, despite the warmer weather. He also suggested taking stock of how much time outside results in feelings of irritability, and staying cool whenever possible. 'I think it's also important for people to realize that it's not a weakness to pursue treatment options,' Borand said. Despite all of the possible techniques and coping skills, summer SAD may sometimes be a sign of something more serious. If you are struggling to cope, seek therapy through a doctor referral or privately. If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@ or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to to find a helpline near you.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
If you're feeling summertime sadness, gloomy weather won't help
Winter and its effects on some people's mood are far behind us, but the same effects can occur in summer, despite the sunshine. With seasonal affective disorder, a depressive episode can coincide with change to a new season — any season. Simon Sherry, a clinical psychologist and a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Dalhousie University, has warned about the side-effects of summer. The change in season, which means a change in our exposure to sunlight, can cause insomnia, reduced appetite and weight loss. This is a mirror of the effects winter weather can have. "There are underlying changes that can happen in our brain," Sherry said. "Our body runs on a circadian rhythm, which is an internal 24-hour clock. And if that cycle, which has a lot to do with sleeping and waking, can get disrupted, then mood problems follow." He points to the daylight savings one-hour time change, which can affect mood. WATCH | How to tell if you're feeling summertime sadness: Michael Mak, a psychiatrist and sleep medicine specialist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, said the time when we're taking in sunlight changes by season, which causes the disruption. Taking in sunlight later in the day can make it tougher for people to sleep, which in turn affects mood. "What we want is less light exposure close to bedtime, more light when we wake up in the morning," said Mak, who is also the clinical vice-president of the Canadian Sleep Society. He said 10 to 15 per cent of Canadians can experience a mild form of seasonal affective disorder, and three to five per cent can have a "terribly disabling" degree of symptoms. Mak also said the weather can affect people in similar ways. Consistent rain, which New Brunswick saw over consecutive weekends this spring, can cause symptoms. New Brunswick hasn't seen a precipitation-free weekend since spring started. The capital, Fredericton, saw its first weekend of sun on June 14 and 15. "Having that on a consistent basis means that people are going to be exposed to less natural sunlight and bright light, which stabilizes our internal body clock, makes our sleep better and makes our mood better," said Mak. He said "more rainy days on average" means mood and sleep just get worse. "It just means that you're not able to enjoy the things you usually like. You don't have the opportunity to go out and exercise, which we know is good for mood and good for sleep." For people affected by the season, Mak suggests trying to exercise indoors and consider sunlight exposure therapy. LISTEN | Simons Sherry explains how to spot seasonal affective disorder: An easy exercise is turning on all the lights in your house. There are also special lights that are designed to treat seasonal affective disorder which are available in retail stores. Exposing yourself to light early in the morning can also help with seasonal affective disorder and depression. Sherry said to also consider cognitive behavioural therapy to help change behaviour.
CTV News
03-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Gateways Counselling
Regina Watch Judy Wright with Gateways Counselling gives us an overview into the causes, symptoms of seasonal affective disorder and how we can help. #sponsoredcontent
