Tips for Dealing with Summer Depression

Seasonal depression is a well known phenomena, as people tend to get depressed in the winter months as less light plays tricks with the mind. However, depression can be just as severe in the summer, and there aren't any special light lamps to help with that sort of condition. Here's a look at a few tips to help you deal with summer depression and find the roots of your blues.

1. Levels of activity - Your level of activity affects your body chemistry, so look here first. If you're doing nothing but sitting around inside, you're going to be more prone to depression. Try to exercise for at least twenty minutes a day during the summer, and if you live in an area where heat makes it unsafe to go far outside, at least open some blinds--the sunlight inhibits your body from creating melatonin, which may affect depression.

2. Sleep schedule - Your sleep schedule is a direct affect on your mood, so be sure to keep it fairly standardized throughout the summer. If you repeatedly wake up feeling tired, sleep for longer, or talk to your doctor to check for conditions like sleep apnea that might be stopping you from getting good sleep. Avoid coffee, sleeping pills, and alcohol, as these wreak havoc on your sleep schedule and might cause depression throughout the summer.

3. Food - Peoples' eating habits can fall into bad territory in the summers, especially crash-dieters, and bad diet can inhibit your body's ability to create certain chemicals, leading to depression. Examine your diet and try to make sure you're getting a good amount of calories for your body every day, and look to make sure that you're getting proper amounts of iron and Vitamin E. Talk to a dietician if you don't know where to start, and stay away from fad diets.

4. Seeing a Doctor - You should see a doctor if you're unable to find the source of summer depression, and discuss finding either a psychiatrist or doing testing to see if you've got a physical ailment. There are tons of medicines on the market to aid seasonal depressions, but often a doctor and psychiatrist can work together to find and treat the root of your depression without medicine. Do not self medicate, and make sure that you do see a doctor: all forms of depression are serious and should be treated as any other illnesses.

Do you have any other tips for dealing with summer depression? Post in our comments section below.