What is Seasonal Self-care: 5+ ways it Could Impact You

May 5, 2022

Seasonal self-care is something we could easily dismiss. Transitioning between seasons can be difficult, and one that most people don’t take note of. In this post, we will break down what seasonal self-care is, why we need to focus on it, and the issues it could cause if left untreated further down the line.

What is Seasonal Anxiety Disorder?

Seasonal Affective Disorder (or SAD) is a type of depression in which people experience feelings of sadness and anxiety as the weather changes. People can experience SAD during any season; however, colder months tend to be the time when people feel the most effects.

“While we don’t know the cause of SAD for certain, experts believe it’s related to shorter days and altered production of the chemicals serotonin, which is linked to mood regulation, and melatonin, which causes drowsiness,” Dr. Candelore notes. “Therefore, light therapy may be part of your prescribed treatment plan, if you’re diagnosed with seasonal affective disorder.”

Symptoms of SAD include:

Reduced energy
Trouble concentrating
Increased appetite
Increased desire to be alone
Greater need for sleep
Weight gain

Changes to combat Seasonal Anxiety Disorder

Familiarise yourself with seasonal changes:

We all know when the season is changing, and when we need to change what we wear. I usually start with checking the weather, looking at weekly trends and when it is expected to get warmer / colder. This is the best way to prepare yourself for changes.

Seasonal Clear Outs

Truth is, you do not need all of your belongings all year round. I will not be needing my hot water bottle in a heatwave or my sandals in a storm. Start room by room, and tuck away items you will not need for the next 3 months. I find that this can be a challenging task, especially when moving from summer to winter – but having everything you are not using as a constant reminder is not helpful either. Find the right balance, and do everything at the right pace for you.

Change Your Diet

Taking care of yourself is crucial, and listening to your body is the best way to do this. As soon as it starts to get warmer, you will need to increase your hydration levels, to ensure that you are receiving enough fluids for your body to stay healthy. Eat heartier meals in the winter, as you will be surprised how many calories your body can lose from shivering (around 100 calories in 15 minutes in fact)! A warmer body temperature could be exactly what your body needs. I always find that regulating the temperature of my feet does wonders – socks in winter and cold flannels in summer are all it takes for my body to understand the weather outside.

Playlists

It can be so upsetting having all your summer songs when it is dreadful outside. Spend some time adjusting your Spotify playlists to move with the seasons, to ensure it represents the right mood at all times.

Change up your skincare routine

I don’t know about you – but my skin needs so many different things at different points of the year. In the winter my skin is dry and needs help, whereas in the summer – I have a permanent glow that needs taming because it is actually sweating. Hayfever also means that my eyes become dry, itchy and irritated in the summer. I usually have a couple of weeks of trial and error twice a year, to find out what my skin needs. What I have found, it loves aloe vera! Have a, experiment with your skincare products, decide what the end goal is – and schedule a plan according to this.

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Points to remember:

In the summer, anything with hyaluronic acid is a good thing – it is basically good water for your skin
Sun protection and SPF should be used all year round, just because it is cold out, does not mean that damage cannot be done
Try not to use any retinol-based products in winter, as it can really try your skin out
Pore strips are your friend all year round!
Exfoliating harder won’t make your skin look better
If it is not working, stop using it! (Although don’t use something for 2 days and expect it to work miracles)

Wear whatever you feel comfortable in

When I think of problems with seasonal self-care, the first thing I can think of is not being comfortable in wearing what social norms expect you to wear. For those who are not comfortable with their size or shape it can be really daunting as it gets warmer to have to bear all your skin for the sake of keeping cool. In my opinion, we should not be okay with a society that would make people so uncomfortable that they feel like they cannot dress the way they would like to. Start experimenting with colours and shapes that you feel comfortable with, and NEVER push yourself to a point that you feel embarrassed and ashamed of your body. We have the right to enjoy seasonal changes equally, therefore, trust in the fact that you are beautiful, whatever you wear!

Change your sleeping habits

I am going to be honest, I could do with 11 hours of sleep every single night. However, in the summer months, that figure goes down to about 9.5 hours. Seasonal changes can definitely impact your sleeping habits, therefore can impact your levels of self-care. Start with changing your bedding – lighter in summer and heavier in winter. Insert fans, electric blankets and heaters as necessary and prepare yourself for changing seasons. Expect it to become brighter in summer, and earlier nights in winter. This preparation is essential for a smooth transition between seasons and an easy seasonal self-care change to make.

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Make the most of nature

Nature can be both pretty in summer and winter. However, exploring the outdoors is a relaxing and therapeutic way to get out of your head for a bit. If I am stressed, the first thing I will do is go on a walk. Staying away from screens and physically seeing seasonal changes can make it a lot easier in the seasonal transition.

Increasing Levels of Sunlight

As there are links between SAD and levels of serotonin, experts recommend that we all aim to try and increase the amount of sunlight we get exposed to per day. Light therapy may be a consideration for extreme cases of seasonal anxiety, although you can also purchase light therapy lamps that mimic natural sunlight, ensuring that you receive the levels of sunlight that you require.

Talk about your feelings

I can assure you, that you are not the only one in this situation. Seasonal Anxiety Disorder is definitely normal, and many people have it in varying degrees. I will link below various places where you can talk about it, and if not, then my door is always open!

Journalling

As much as I like to encourage others to speak to peers and professionals, getting your ideas and thoughts on paper is almost just as important. A daily, weekly and monthly journalling session could be the key to easing any nerves and seasonal stress. If anything, it ensures that feelings are not being bottled up and festered upon. Focusing on releasing negative thoughts before they start to brew and become worse.

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Don’t put pressure on yourself

In today’s society, there is so much damn expectation. “I need to be this”, “people expect this of me”. The damage that can be done by putting people first all the time, it is sometimes easier to ignore it for a while and think about yourself. If there is any doubt that you could come to mental or physical harm, it should not be prioritised. There shouldn’t be so much pressure to act or feel a certain way, so if you feel uncomfortable, please speak out, because otherwise things will not change and we will all be hiding our true feelings and comfortability levels forever.

Self-Care Quotes For Summer:

Staying Positive in 2022 – Essential Seasonal Self-Care Quotes

Positivity always wins…Always.

If you are positive, you’ll see opportunities instead of obstacles.

The first step is you have to say that you can.

Positive anything is better than negative nothing.

Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.

No one is perfect – that’s why pencils have erasers.

In the end, everything will be okay. If it’s not okay, it’s not yet the end.

The only time you fail is when you fall down and stay down

Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached.

You always pass failure on the way to success

How high you fly is derived from how big you think.

If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.

You are joy, looking for a way to express.

Try to think about big thoughts but relish small pleasures.

Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.

Believe you can and you’re halfway there.

Limit your “always” and your “nevers.”

The most wasted of days is one without laughter.

It is never too late to be what you might have been.

One small positive thought can change your whole day.

I will go anywhere as long as it’s forward.

Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.

In every day, there are 1,440 minutes. That means we have 1,440 daily opportunities to make a positive impact.

You have to train your brain to be positive just like you work out your body

Stay close to anything that makes you glad you are alive.

Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn’t know you left open.

My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive.

Spread love everywhere you go.

We generate fears while we sit. We overcome them by action.

Today’s accomplishments were yesterday’s impossibilities.

Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.

Affirmations For Seasonal Self-Care – Reasons To Enjoy Yourself

Self-care can boost your self-esteem
Self-care protects your mental health
It can lead to better relationships
Help yourself to help others – “An empty lantern provides no light. Self-care is the fuel that allows your light to shine brightly.”
Improves your productivity
Greater life satisfaction
Self-reflection leads to better decision making
Allocating time for things you enjoy makes the day easier
Knowing Your Worth – You are always worth more than you think
Managing a healthy work-life balance
Start living, stop existing