It’s wonderful when the sun is out. Our minds and bodies have been craving the heat, the felt sense of new and exciting opportunities, time to be in the sun and enjoy! As humans we benefit immensely from the sun. Exposure to sunlight increases our serotonin production, a neurotransmitter that contributes to mood regulation. The sun also ensures better sleep by balancing our circadian rhythms which also impacts our mental health, and studies have also shown that low levels of vitamin D are linked to depression and anxiety. The sun truly is magnificent.

So, is this reason enough to cancel or reschedule your therapy appointments? While the sunlight is a great source of healing for many of us, including myself, I know that it’s not enough. A combination of the sun and therapy along with other self-care supports are needed for our overall mental health and well-being. Not convinced and debating on cancelling your next session, keep reading 😊.

1.  The sun has its limits: Although it has its benefits, it’s not a cure-all. If you’re in therapy and working with a sound therapist, you most likely have experienced structured support, explored or are exploring and navigating the complexities of your emotions, learning and utilizing tools to cope, heal and thrive. The sun can’t provide this. Also, not everyone can experience the same benefits from sunlight. For individuals living with chronic conditions, sunlight may not be a relief, but rather a challenge.

2.      Summer can bring upon more challenges: With disrupted routines, planning everything with everyone, school break and changes in work schedules, this can sometimes create instability. Some people also feel disconnected or a sense of loneliness without the regular school/work activities as this is often where we create and experience most of our social connections. For some of us, body image or social pressures can trigger our self-esteem issues or anxiety and depression.

3.      Therapy sessions in the summer is prevention: Having regular therapy sessions helps you manage your issues as they arise and can help with the overwhelm. It is often a reminder to use your tools learned to manage your stress, that you can handle any new challenge and regulate your emotions.

4.  Therapy works when you are consistent with it: Research shows that therapy is the most effective when it is regular and consistent. Cancelling sessions can stall your healing, making it harder to pick back up or undo some of the work you’ve already worked on. This is OK BTW if it happens from time to time. You alone are responsible for your life and how you wish to live it. But I suggest you get the most out of therapy and by attending your appointments regularly, you will. This leads me to the next point.

5.  Invest in yourself: How else are you taking care of yourself? Continuing therapy, even in the summer, is a powerful way to prioritize your well-being, especially when things are busier than usual. It’s a form of self-care that can help you stay grounded, resilient and emotionally-balanced.

6.  Support for major life transitions during the summer: Therapy can provide a safe and anchored space for the transition that summer involves such as graduations, moves, travel, relationship changes that  may be challenging and, what our brain finds extremely uncomfortable, the uncertainties that these changes bring about.

Your mental health doesn’t take a vacation and finding time in the sun AND in therapy can allow you to maintain a healthy balanced sense of being. Your mental health needs don’t disappear in the summer months. Challenges that you may be experiencing such as anxiety, depression, self-esteem, self-worth, relational challenges can persist or even worsen without support. You can do both, be in the sun whilst in therapy along with other practices in taking care of yourself year-round and not just in the gloomy fall and winter months. You owe it to yourself to live light, free and have a sense of control over the one thing you actually can control and that is how you choose to take care of yourself and fully live the life that you want to create.

If you are looking for a therapist and would like to have most of your therapy sessions in the sun during the summer, reach out to our therapists at www.relearninghuman.com. We work virtually so, rain or shine, you get to choose where you will have your therapy session.

Authored by Kavita Patel RSW, MSW & Co-Founder of ReLearning Human