To feel depressed when the weather gets warmer

[milkydress]

Just that really. I feel so low and crap about myself in the summer especially. I hate going out when it's warm / hot outside.
I hate summer clothes and sandals. I feel bloated and fat as soon as it starts getting warm. I feel really exposed and not able to focus on anything positive. Does anybody else experience this? If so, is there anything that helps?

I love all the seasons but never know what to wear when it gets warm in this country!
I dislike my upper arms, have more stomach than I’d feel comfortable showing and have stretchmarks on my calves - I want all of it covered but then I’m too hot, midi dresses are my friend but I also loathe sandals and having my feet out 😂
Saying all of that, I’m gloriously happy in the sunshine ☀️

I feel the opposite. I loath being cold. Keeping the heat turned down this winter has been misery.

But it is finally warming up. I heard the first cuckoo this morning - a month later than normal. We have swallows and lilac, summer has finally arrived. I'm no longer cold. For me it's a huge relief

But I do understand how miserable it is to be uncomfortable for months.

Whilst I hate the grey miserableness (and mud) of autumn/winter and get depressed, I do like having seasons.

I also count down the days to midsummer's day. Most of the best memories of my childhood were in autumn / winter, collecting conkers, bonfire night, Halloween. I've never really enjoyed summer. The only bit I really enjoy is sitting in the garden on a warm night with a cold glass of wine.😀

And people leave their windows and doors open in the evening ‘because it’s summer’. Even when it’s still pretty cold! I hate that.

Yep! And it's really hard to explain to people who love summer how much I hate it! It does actually make you depressed! Makes anxious and so uncomfortable because I don't like my legs or arms so trying to find clothes that hide both is near enough impossible nowadays!

I hate the brightness at 7pm when I just want to chill and relax and feel like I can't because it looks like it's the middle of the day and everyone is out having a good time! Eurgh I dread it!

I hate heatwaves, the current temperature isn't too bad but anything over 25 and I hate it - that heatwave during lockdown that went on for about 2 weeks was awful - couldn't get cool, too hot to sleep, sweating just sitting on the sofa. You'd shower then about half an hour later be sweating again. It actually drove me to buy a paddling pool, even though I'm child free.

I love the winter being cosy inside listening to the wind and rain outside. Though if it could please be nice on my wedding day that would be good!

The only thing I do like about the warm weather is getting lines full of washing dry - I love the smell of line dried washing, rather than juggling it between the radiators!

I get anxiety. Over discomfort at being hot, I seem to have a much lower tolerance for heat than others and can feel boiling in low twenties. I've had blood tests done because I swore something must be wrong with me but nothing.

And no one gets it so avoid going to other people's homes because I know they won't have a fan or they'll just have a tiny shit one whereas I have 3.

Try to identify what bothers you and address that issue.

Is it disrupted sleep from the long days? Get shutters or blackout curtains.

Is it too bright when you go outside? Wear sunglasses every time you step outside your front door, and buy a wide brimmed hat.

Is it your clothes? Figure out what would make you feel more comfortable and invest in your wardrobe. If you're not a summer person you probably don't like too much skin exposed, so loose, cool clothing in natural fabrics like lightweight trousers and thin long sleeved shirts.

Are you sweating too much? Use antibacterial soap on your feet and underarms and the best antiperspirant deodorant you can find. Wear cool cotton clothes. Have cool showers in the morning and before you go to bed.

Is your house too hot? Try all the tricks for making it cooler. Open all the windows first thing in the morning to let the air in and then close them before it gets too hot. Close the blinds or curtains during the day in rooms that get a lot of sun. Buy electric fans.

If your working hours are flexible and you can work from home, get up early, work for a few hours, then have a light lunch and a nap like people do it hot countries.

Make sure your handbag contains a hot weather kit. Big bottle of water, sunscreen, insect repellent, sunglasses.

A PP said we make the mistake of not investing in our summer wardrobes because there are so few hot days and I think that's true. But I think it goes beyond just clothes. Summer proof your wardrobe, handbag, house, car, basically your whole life, and hopefully it will be more bearable.

I don't think Seasonal Affective Disorder is exclusive to the winter, I remember mentioning my own feelings on this to a friend (who is a GP) and her saying she has seen a number of patients over the years with 'summer pattern seasonal affective disorder'.

I've always struggled with it a bit. When I was much younger I had a lot of issues with body dysmorphia and summertime was a real trigger in the respect of just not wanting to be 'seen' and feeling very exposed in that weather and that light. I find there's also very much an element of pressure in the UK summer whereby we feel we must 'make the most' of any good weather that comes and be doing something weather appropriate.

Some years on from my previous issues I'm somewhere in the middle. I love sitting in my own garden reading in the sunshine and absolutely love being in the garden. Anything else out of the house and it all starts to fall apart a bit and is more up and down. There's always a bit of a sense of interior relief when it feels like autumn's bearing down on us again, even if i've had a lovely summer.

“Are you sweating too much? Use antibacterial soap on your feet and underarms and the best antiperspirant deodorant you can find. Wear cool cotton clothes. Have cool showers in the morning and before you go to bed.”

This is all very well but it won’t stop the sweat dripping down my face when I walk anywhere, despite what clothing I wear!!

I agree that ‘being seen’ is a big issue too - as a teen I felt very self conscious in the summer because of my large boobs and much prefer wearing a jacket/coat etc. something to hide in.

… and I’m still like it now to extent.

Gosh I'm a summer person. I'm so happy when the sun is out and the evenings are light. I feel awful in September at the prospect of autumn and many months of cold. I have classic SAD. I love everything about summer.

I hate it too. Especially at work. I have big boobs and find sumner dressing really difficult. Loose floaty clothes just make me look like Pavarotti. I look like a bag lady in linen. I can't go without a bra, also I have psoriasis and don't like wearing sleeveless tops or short sleeves either. I too feel exposed without a coat or jacket - Spring and Autumn dressing is much more stylish and forgiving in my opinion.

No advice but I'm in the same! Literally count down till it gets cold and darker again 😅don't get me wrong I LOVE sitting in my garden with the kids playing in the pool but when I'm working/ school runs shops etc it's not fun!! Bring ok winter!

Same. It’s the sense that I should be outside enjoying bbqs in the sun with drinks and friends and family but I’m always not quite there.
A good tip: get a really good air con unit. It makes all the difference!

I hate the summer. The heat makes me lethargic and I hate the long, light evenings. People never believe me when I say it but I’ve always felt like this. I love autumn and winter.

I have blackout curtains/blinds in every room in my house. Come 7pm they all get closed and lamps go on. No matter how bright it is outside. Mentally it makes a huge difference.

I got a big paddling pool for the garden. I think it’s something like 2m x 1.5m. I don’t have any young kids. Me and adult DD use it. We’re in London and when we had those couple of close to 40 days last year it was amazing. It’s somewhat shaded by a tree and we were actually cold when we got out!

Portable air con in my bedroom. It’s a bit noisy but it’s white noise and I can sleep through it. Better a bit noisy but nice and cool than silent and dying in the heat! Plus it drowns out the noise of neighbours summer parties! Win win.

I used to hate summer with a passion. It made me really depressed. Now I do quite look forward to the hot days as I have ways to stop me becoming over heated and I like an excuse to lounge in the pool (and sometimes splash around like a child 😁).

I am the same. I find even mid twenties weather unbearable.
I hate summer clothes as shows off my bloated stomach.
Get depressed when the nights get longer and lighter.
Find I am really fatigued all the time.
Work is horrible in the warmed months.
Don't like summer foods such as salads and fruit.
I am definitely an autumn/cooler weather person.

I dislike summer too. Hate being woken up by the lighter mornings. I have very pale skin that burns easily so summer is miserable. I feel very self conscious about not having even a slight tan so don't feel confident to ever go out with bare legs or arms so I'm always covered up and too hot! Before anyone ask I've tried fake tan and look ridiculous!

I hate the summer as I get heat headaches if temp goes over 25 degrees 🫤

Totally agree! Love autumn and spring and also winter but summer can do one!

Exactly the same as you, OP. The heat and glare make me feel quite anxious, even though I can appreciate how beautiful things look in the summer months (gorgeous flowers, blue skies). In summer I find myself longing for cloudy days. I love the dark evenings and adore autumn. Love being able to have a cardigan on and wear proper boots.

The feeling of dread starts from March really as although it's freezing cold I know what's coming. When we have the summer solstice in June I secretly feel relieved that nights will start getting longer again (although very gradually!) and count down the days until September.

Funnily enough it's never so bad once we're in it - I can appreciate sitting in the garden watching the kids play as much as anyone else. But the thought of summer fills me with dread!

I have a summer birthday too!