This hot summer…

How are you doing?

It certainly has been a hot summer so far and changes such as weather conditions can have an effect on our mood and energy levels. What emotional, physical or spiritual changes have you picked up upon, that you have been experiencing, since the weather has been unusually hot? Perhaps you have had trouble sleeping in this weather and this has left you feeling drained, tired and maybe irritable.

Noticing differences between ourselves and the image of summer that is portrayed in the media of happy smiley people at the beach eating ice lollies, we can start to compare ourselves and despair. Why don’t I feel/or look like that? Which can lead to the even worse negative thought of ‘What is wrong with me?’ It is important to hold onto a realistic view of ourselves, and make time to notice our positive attributes.  If, like the majority of people, our life does not revolve around bikini wearing days in the sun, but perhaps instead long days at work and hot sticky journeys home on public transport, then it is important to hold these differences in perspective and acknowledge that life can be challenging but our resilience to this is where our power can lay. Perhaps building into our day, every day, at least one thing that brings us joy can be useful in enabling us to keep our mood out of the low zone.

Maybe, you haven’t been able to exercise as much in the heat as you would have liked to. If exercise is one of the ways you use to ‘feel good’ than this can be a frustrating time and negatively effect our mood  Perhaps, like me, much of your exercise comes about by walking the dog and in this heat that has had to be curtailed. If getting outside for fresh air is important to your mental wellbeing, it may be an idea to find time for a 10/15 minute stroll in the evening, even if all you feel capable of is sitting in front of a fan drinking a cool drink. And talking of drinks, hot weather can easily lead to over consumption of alcoholic drinks. That extra trip or two to the beer garden, or that BBQ where the ice cold beer and/or prosecco flows can be lots of fun, but overdo it and it can lead to dehydration and a much worse hangover than normal..and if you add to this a heightened state of irritability caused by disrupted sleep then this could lead to difficulties in how we manage ourselves, our work and our personal relationships. Re-hydrating ourselves with water can be great self care and make us feel more alert and alive.

Perhaps you have been loving this hot sunny weather, it boosts your mood and you don’t want it to end. Your vitamin D levels are all topped up and you feel raring to go. I’m happy for you and do cherish all those gorgeous memories made in the sun!

For those who wish the hot summer to end, remember that it is a temporary state and it will change. Before you know it, those cosy cardigans with be coming out of your wardrobe and Christmas jingles will be playing in the shops. And then there is the snow.. sometimes we do have to be careful what we wish for!

Wishing you all well this week, Sue x