Does anyone else find they get really anxious in the good weather/summer?

[Peroniinabottle]

I know it's standard to feel BETTER when the weather's sunny and when summer begins, and I know lots of people who get down and anxious in winter and then cheer up when the weather cheers up. But (although I like nice weather in itself) I'm increasingly finding I my anxiety ramping up as the days get longer and the weather better. I used to love the spring/summer when I was younger, but in middle age, it seems to be changing. I've always found it more exhausting and anxiety-provoking to parent in the summer (all the changes to routine and risks to manage), and I think it's conditioned me to find it really anxiety-provoking in itself.

Does anyone else have this?? It feels a bit unusual and lonely.

Not anxiety for me but I do get a bit melancholy. I had a very traumatic experience as a teenager which happened in June and I think it's rooted in that. When I was working full time in school, I really disliked the Summer Term. It's certainly not the easy ride people think it is.

I'm really sorry about your traumatic experience, @Butteredtoast55 , and that you struggle with summer, too. It can feel quite isolating, can't it?

Yes me. I like spring but summer I can barely tolerate as my anxiety gets really bad. For me it's the heat really triggers my symptoms I think.

I get anxious because I’m extremely hot natured

Yes! Had it for years, started late teens. I remember going through counselling in my early 20’s and I said to her that things would be better when the “ber” months arrive. I get such bad anxiety and panic attacks in the summer months. I also get irritated if it’s still summer like in September. Strangely my son has recently said he feels the same.
Ex mil used to go on about it depending on when your birthday is. Son is in the ber months but mine is spring so it doesn’t really make sense.

It appears to one that our Harry does...

Methinks it is becoming an annual event now...

@Realisation14 @DirtyBird @CurlySueAndBillToo I'm sorry you get it too. Thank you for posting - great to commune over this!

Ber months settle me down too, @CurlySueAndBillToo

I can understand this. The autumn winter months I find quite comforting, cosy nights in, no real pressure to ‘make the most of the weather’. I like wrapping up warm or in waterproofs for walks. As soon as the temperature hits 20 I get irritable. I can understand it making people feel anxious.

I do!! You’re definitely not alone. I have panic disorder and many things trigger it but I do find it’s worse in hotter weather, because there’s so many more social events to worry about, and I hate heat so I’m basically always uncomfortable and feel unwell which I can then misinterpret for a panic attack… which causes an actual panic attack!
I am also very self conscious and the warm weather makes it hard to wear clothes that let me cover my body how I like :(

Over the years I’ve found lots of methods to cope though, I always have those holiday cool-towels stocked up in my freezer and ice packs - I’ll bring these with me basically everywhere and use them to keep myself almost cold! Keep hydrated, dress for the weather if you’re comfortable with that. I like wearing boho summer trousers so it’s airy but my legs aren’t on show. and a small top + very light kimono combo is a life saver! Body covered but it’s a nice light airy layer.

Sorry if this is too specific to my own experience but just thought I’d share :)

Gosh I’m so sorry to hear you feel this way- In my experience everyone is friendlier, chattier and more relaxed, personally I feel more motivated to do things, especially with the long evenings, and to exercise and move my body more, walk instead of bus etc. I love it. I think the anxiety you have all mentioned is to do with other issues and not the sun being out!

Me! I hate the long summer evenings for some reason. Much prefer it when the clocks go back in October and it’s dark at 5pm again. I don’t think I’ve always been like this, but have definitely noticed it over the last few years

Yes ME. It’s extremely frustrating because I do love Summer, but I get so anxious.

I get so hot, I don’t tend to sleep as well, the weather is unpredictable.

Winter is shit but I sort of know where I stand with it.

I have this too.

Did you have a very unhappy childhood?

I have had years of therapy (grew up in a very affluent and educated family so DV, parental alcoholism etc went ignored by medics, teachers etc who in other circumstances would have involved social services); we eventually worked out my disabling summer anxiety was based on triggers recalling the constant tension of summer term (which is happy and busy for normal kids but fraught with public neglect and therefore shame for those in unhappy families), and then especially bank holidays and the very long summer holidays, when there is absolutely no respite from escalating emotions or violence, as there is when school is a temporary escape.

Many therapists think “the body keeps the score”, so even aged 52, I feel the old anxiety of my childhood returning each year with the warm weather.

I still hate high summer, and particularly hate going on holidays away from home, even though I have a happy and loving family of my own now. I deal with the anxiety and low mood by being ultra gentle with myself, treating myself and talking to myself as if I am a beloved slightly poorly child or pet who needs a lot of quiet reassurance and comfort.

I hope things are better for you soon.

Gosh, really not alone, then!

Sorry to everyone who has this. I'm realising for me that there are probably lots of different factors linking better weather with anxiety:

• unpredictability - routines go out the window, teenagers staying up, out till all hours
• Everything is loud and bright and overwhelming on a sensory level. Things like festivals are my worst nightmare, and always have been (but I'd force myself to do them when younger, which strengthened associations between stress/noise and summer
• pressure - to "use" the good weather well. And more social pressures, too
• historically (my kids are older now) so much to MANAGE in terms of being a parent - who's where when, who needs watching by the water, have I remembered suncream, argh

There's probably more....

This sounds really tough, @LostinLondon2025 . I'm especially sorry you went through all that when you were young.

I was very lucky in that I had a loving, happy family as a child. But there was one very traumatic event which happened in the summer once when I was primary school age, so perhaps it could relate to that. The phrase "the body keeps the score" is interesting - I do feel like my body just goes involuntarily into overdrive.

One coping trick I have is to concentrate on the very few things I do enjoy in summer - in my case colourful flowers in my garden, ice cream, sitting in my kitchen as the evening sun goes down, and watching Wimbledon on telly. If I had a physical illness it would be okay to stay indoors; I have every right to stay indoors because of a mental illness.

Could you have some talking therapy and some EMDR? I have found it very valuable.

I understand EMDR is very powerful for childhood trauma where the emotions are “stuck” or suppressed at a young age, and the necessary understanding or vocabulary isn’t there to untangle it.

I don't feel like this myself, but read recently that hot weather increases the release of cortisol, a stress hormone, in the body, which can lead to anxiety. Your body also needs to use more energy to regulate its internal temperature during hot weather, which can lead to fatigue and exacerbate other symptoms.

I feel like you OP! My anxiety is really high late spring/summer and I feel better come autumn. I remember when I was 12-13 standing in our garden hearing my mum say what lovely weather and I realised how weird it was that the sun seemed to brighten everyone's mood while I felt a darkness sweep over me. It's contradictory because people usually get depressed in the winter. I don't think it's only social expectations because I didn't have any as a child and the summer still made me depressed and anxious. No traumatic summer memory either. I don't have any explanation @Peroniinabottle but know that you are not alone with your feelings. 💗