5 Summer Activities that Can Boost Your Mental Health
The sun is out, the temperature is rising, and… you’re feeling depressed. While people typically experience the effects of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in the fall and winter months, this condition can also cause some individuals to feel depressed in the spring and summer. Whether you have SAD or you’re feeling depressed for another reason, here are five activities you should consider to boost your mental health this summer:
- Head outside to try a new outdoor exercise like walking, swimming, or playing tennis (even if you don’t feel up to exercising, relaxing outside while reading a book or picnicking with friends could improve your mood).
- Create a summer playlist filled with upbeat, catchy tunes and praise music.
- Spruce up your home by planting flowers or filling a vase with a store-bought bouquet.
- Pick up some fruits and vegetables from a local farmer’s market—you might even use them to try a new recipe with friends.
- Attend a local fair, watch an outdoor movie, or spend the day at a nearby amusement park. On Sunday, be sure to enjoy worship with friends at church!
Does Your Mental Health Still Need a Boost?
If you’ve tried the summer activities listed above but found that your mental health still needs some improvement, contact us today. We will be happy to schedule an appointment with one of the experienced counselors at our practice. Once we have learned about the issues you’ve been experiencing, we can recommend some strategies customized to your unique needs.