Dog Daze of Summer—The Actor and Mental Health
Do you remember how Romeo and Juliet starts? The Montagues and Capulets are roaming the streets of Verona. And it’s HOT. It’s probably August. And they’re all cranky cause of the heat and then they start insulting each other and next thing you know we’ve got a Shakespearean tragedy on our hands.
Ever feel like that might happen to you? When it’s hot as the blazes outside?
Well, you’re not crazy, there’s actually a term for it.
We’ve all heard of SAD—Seasonal Affective Disorder—when ya get blue cause it’s winter and the sun’s gone away. Which is no fun. But did you know that SAD can also affect us during the summer?
Say what?
That’s right studies have shown that up to 30% of people with seasonal affective disorder will experience summer depression. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), “Reverse SAD” is typically experienced as common symptoms of depression for about four to five months each year.
People with summer-pattern SAD may experience:
• Agitation and restlessness
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Lack of appetite, resulting in weight loss
But how can this be? Summer’s supposed to be fun, full of relaxation and freedom from school and work, etc. Well, for some people vulnerable to depression (which might be the case with the sensitive artistic type) summertime can sometimes feel like too big of a change. All the sudden we’re totally in a different routine and might have more time on our hands, or less, and that can start to unravel us.
Also the weather itself can be another contributor to summertime blues. It can just get too hot and humid to go outside so people start to hole up in their houses, not exercising or cooking healthy food. We turn to take out, isolation and inactivity, none of which is helpful when it comes to moods and energy levels.
So what can we do? Here’s a couple of ideas and a link to an article that goes deeper into it.
First, Identify Your Summertime Triggers:
Heat and Humidity? Financial Stress due to vacations or childcare needs, etc.? Body-Image issues due to it being bikini weather? Expectations of summertime bliss . . . that doesn’t happen? And I’m sure you can think of a few others . . .
Second, Make Sleep a Priority:
Summertime depression can led to insomnia or irregular sleep schedules and long summer days can make it hard to sleep. We suggest you pick a time to go to bed and a time to get up and stick to that. Say 10:30pm lights out! In bed! Waiting for the night train to sleepyland. And 7:30am rise and shine, out of bed, starting the day. Or whatever schedule works for you—make sure you plan for at least eight to nine hours in bed. If you can’t fall asleep, that’s none of your business, at least be in bed trying to zonk out. Do this enough and eventually you will fall asleep right away.
Third, Make Space for Your Emotions:
Emotional overwhelm can cause you to shut down. Take time each day to sit with your feelings, even if it’s just 10minutes. Let them process, feel where you feel them in your body. Maybe journal a bit. I recommend mindset work too. There’s an amazing mindset journaling tool I have my actors use at AIAC. It helps with EVERYTHING. Here’s a link to a podcast by the woman who came up with it. Click HERE for link. https://getyourgoal.com/podcasts/89-mind-management/
Fourth, Keep It Cool:
Stay hydrated throughout the day, dehydration can cause fatigue which is never good for mood. Use sunscreen so you can avoid sunburn. Wear hats, sunglasses and lightweight drapey clothes that cover your skin, you’ll look cool as you stay cool which will be so cool! And don’t give into pressure to go outside. If you’re not going to enjoy a hike with a friend in the blazing afternoon sun, you don’t have to go. There’s nothing wrong with staying home curled up by the AC with a good book.
So remember Reverse SAD is a real thing. Take it seriously if you’re mood is affected by the dog daze of summer. Be proactive. Take it easy. Enjoy the summer in a way that works for you! And remember if Romeo and Juliet would have happened as a winter’s tale and not a mid-summer night’s story it would have ended with a wedding not a funeral. 😉
For more info on Reverse SAD check out this article. Click HERE for article. https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/summertime-sadness-ways-to-chase-away-the-warm-weather-blues/#:~:text=People%20with%20summer%2Dpattern%20seasonal,of%20Mental%20Health%20(NIMH)HH.
Actors In Action Conservatory is dedicated to training the actor to do their best work no matter the circumstance. To learn more about our training visit us at www.actorsinactionconservatory.com