Sunshine and Self-Care: Why Summer is the Perfect Time to Invest in Your Mental Health
As the sun shines bright and warm breezes fill the air, summer is often associated with carefree days, beach vacations, and outdoor adventures. It's a season that exudes joy and relaxation, which is one of the reasons why starting therapy might not be the first thing that comes to your mind for the summer. In this blog, we'll explore why summer is a great time to seek therapy and how it can enhance your overall well-being during this vibrant season.
Slow down and reflect
Summer often offers a break from the usual hectic pace of life. With longer days and more leisure time, it provides an opportunity to slow down and reflect on our mental and emotional state. Taking advantage of this slower rhythm can enable us to delve deeper into our thoughts and feelings, creating a space for self-discovery and personal growth through therapy.
Seasonal affective benefits
While most people associate Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) with the winter months, some individuals may experience summertime depression or anxiety. The pressure to feel constantly happy and energetic during this season can be overwhelming. Seeking therapy during summer allows you to address any underlying mental health concerns and develop coping strategies to navigate these challenges effectively.
Establish healthy routines
With the relaxed schedule of summer, it's an excellent time to establish new routines and healthy habits. Incorporating therapy into your summer routine can provide structure and consistency, allowing you to maintain a proactive approach to your mental well-being. By attending therapy sessions regularly, you can build a foundation for positive change and long-term growth.
Optimize personal growth
Summer is synonymous with personal growth and exploration. It's a time when we often try new activities, step outside our comfort zones, and embrace new experiences. Seeking therapy during this season can complement these endeavors by helping you gain insights into yourself, overcome obstacles, and develop the necessary skills to make the most of your personal growth journey.
Nurturing support system
Summer is a time when social connections tend to flourish. It's an opportunity to strengthen bonds with family and friends, but it's also a chance to cultivate a nurturing support system through therapy. Engaging with a trained therapist can provide a safe space to discuss your experiences, emotions, and challenges, offering you the support and guidance needed to navigate the summer season and beyond.
Preparing for the future
Summer is not just a time for relaxation; it's also a season of preparation. As the days grow shorter and autumn approaches, seeking therapy during summer can equip you with valuable skills and tools to face upcoming challenges. By investing in your mental health now, you'll be better equipped to tackle any stressors that may arise in the future, ensuring a smoother transition into the next season.
Ease of scheduling
One thing that most people don’t know is that summer is the easiest time to get a therapy appointment. Summer is the time when therapists have additional availability on their calendar due to clients going on vacation and college students moving home for the summer. If you’ve had difficulty finding a therapist with availability in the past, summer is the time to pick up the phone!
If you’ve been thinking about therapy, know that the summer is a great time to start. It’s not the most popular time for people to seek therapy, but that’s EXACTLY why it’s a great time. You’ll find greater ease in scheduling with a therapist, and you’ll get a head start by working through some of the common challenges people face during the darker, colder months of the year. By getting a headstart on your therapy, you can learn helpful information and coping strategies while you’re still feeling pretty good rather than reaching out for help when you’re already struggling.
If you’re new to seeking therapy, feel free to check out our mini, private podcast series called Starting Therapy.
Health Insurance at LifeSpring Counseling Services in Maryland
LifeSpring Counseling Services does accept health insurance. Our therapists are in network with Johns Hopkins EHP, CareFirst, BlueCross BlueShield, BlueChoice, Cigna, and Evernorth health plans. We also work with individuals who do not want to use their health insurance to pay for counseling services.
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Interested in Online Counseling for Anxiety or Depression?
If you’re a Marylander who knows that counseling is the direction you need to take, the therapists at LifeSpring Counseling Services are here to help. We offer online counseling services for mindfulness, depression, anxiety, trauma, and grief and loss. We also offer Brainspotting as a specialized service, and Brainspotting can be done online, too!
Here’s how you can get started! Online counseling for anxiety and depression aren’t the only services offered at our Maryland office
The counselors and social workers at our Maryland office also offer counseling services for trauma, grief and loss, boundary setting, communication skills, and difficult life transitions. We also offer specialized counseling services including Brainspotting and spiritually-integrated counseling. Because we are located next to several local universities, we also work with college students and international students.
Photo Credit: Leeloo Thefirst and Joslyn Pickens
Date of Download: 3/3/2022
