If you tend to feel heightened stress at certain times of year like clockwork, you might be experiencing seasonal anxiety. This condition is similar to seasonal depression (SAD) in that sufferers don’t always have symptoms year-round, but although SAD is widely recognized, seasonal anxiety is often overlooked.
Shifts in your anxiety levels can be influenced by environmental factors, lifestyle changes, and personal events that occur throughout the year. Perhaps you’ve been feeling down about an upcoming seasonal change, and you’re wondering how to handle it this year. These tips can help you understand and manage seasonal anxiety.
Seasonal Anxiety and Seasonal Depression
In winter, reduced sunlight, shorter days, and changes in your circadian rhythm can dramatically affect your mood. While some people struggle with SAD, others deal with seasonal anxiety. You can also experience symptoms of both SAD and seasonal anxiety at the same time.
However, seasonal anxiety can occur at other times of year, too. It’s not exclusively associated with wintertime. Depending on your comfort levels with heat, or your schedule and responsibilities throughout the year, you can also experience seasonal anxiety in the summer. For many people, seasonal anxiety isn’t necessarily about the weather. It’s also intrinsically linked to life events and changing responsibilities during different times of the year.
Life Transitions Triggering Seasonal Stress
Life transitions can be a major factor driving seasonal anxiety. For instance, the fall brings academic pressures for students and creates a time crunch for parents who have to balance work and supporting their children in school.
The holiday season can mean increased financial stress and conflict for families, and it can also bring up complex emotions and acute grief for people who have lost loved ones. Plus, juggling more social obligations can be anxiety-inducing.
New Year’s Day can feel like a refreshing clean slate for some people. But for others, it can spark anxiety as they dwell on goals they haven’t met yet, or milestones they feel like they “should” have reached.
Environmental and Lifestyle Factors
Naturally, changes in the forecast can set off anxiety. Many people find heat waves, endless weeks of gray skies, snowstorms, and long periods of rain unpleasant. Depending on where you live, certain times of year might have increased risks of natural disasters, like hurricanes or tornadoes, which can spike anxiety.
Additionally, financial pressures can fluctuate throughout the year. Summer travel costs and tax season might bring on anxiety for some people. In the workplace, end-of-quarter demands, seasonal increases in business, or summer slowdowns can heighten stress and uncertainty.
The Emotional Weight of Seasonal Associations
After a loved one’s passing, certain times of year can bring about grief and anxiety, such as personal anniversaries or the date of their death. Trauma reminders can also crop up annually. These past experiences leave emotional echoes that persist year after year.
Furthermore, seasonal expectations can also play a role in your anxiety levels. The assumption that summer should be fun, or the holidays must be joyful, can cause you to question if you’re “doing something wrong.”
Managing Seasonal Anxiety
You don’t have to give up on enjoying certain times of year because of seasonal anxiety. Instead, try to plan ahead with coping strategies that address your personal triggers. You may even want to book vacations or request a few days off at specific times so that you can embrace these moments as opportunities for relaxation. Talking to a therapist can also help you navigate these annual changes.
If you’re dreading a change of seasons, our therapy for anxiety can help support you throughout times of transition. Reach out to our practice to inquire about our counseling services.