Summer anxiety?

[Bri1995]

So. Summer has began. For most people that's a good thing, right?
Unfortunately, not for me. I'm 15 years old and for as long as I can remeber I've suffered from a strange anxiety that only surfaces in the summer months or during any stretch of unstructured time (such as vacations during the school year). Specifically this anxiety is linked to my fear of what happens after death, but it can stretch to other things as well. Then again, sometimes there's nothing at all. I just feel anxious, and there's that horrible twisting feeling in my gut that just won't go away. Last summer it got so bad that I suffered a few small panic attacks and small bouts of depression. It also took longer to disappear once school started again.
I've seen some similar stories, but a lot of people link it to heat or other stressful things going on in their life. The heat doesn't bother me any more than the next person, and nothing especially stressful happens to trigger it. It just comes every summer, for seemingly no reason at all.

So, I guess I'm wondering if anyone else can relate? It's been almost 3 weeks since school let out and I can already feel the anxiety creeping up on me, especially at night. Every so often a stray thought will pop into my head and I'll get that gut feeling, but usually it doesn't last long. And if you can't relate personally, do you have ant thoughts on it or have you heard any similar stories from others?

Thanks for your time.

[LindenVillage]

I get this too. Some years are worse than others.

To my mind, "anxiety" is a symptom - and physiology/body chemistry is the cause. Think of it this way; working increasingly vigorously from springtime to the end of the season, (possibly with exams and worries about student performance) our bodies are increasingly well pumped with adrenaline and cortisol and other "inner push" hormones -  when, suddenly, everything work-wise comes to an abrupt halt.

Hormone production does NOT come to an abrupt halt though, and so we are left with high levels of "go" chemicals - maybe, even to the point of burnout - without any outlet to channel them off.  

No surprise then that this results in brain fog, body-clock issues, digestive problems (especially), strange sensations, sleep disturbance, blood sugar issues and all of those things one commonly associates with "anxiety".

The kicker is that we can THEN get anxious about feeling so strange and out of sorts - a perfectly rational response.

Understanding this idea can, by itself, bring relief and I hope it is helpful.

Here are my top tips

1.   Mild daily physical exercise (aerobic) is a must - avoid being sedentary
2.   Take care of your food and fluid intake; small regular meals, plenty of fluids, dump the junk, lower or eliminate simple sugar and caffeine - there are plenty of good sites.
3.   Formulate and "sign up to" your very own positive, optimistic outlook - write it out.
4.   Stop struggling and stop "fighting it" - get off your own back!
5.   Learn & practise a good progressive muscular relaxation technique
6.   Allow time to pass - your body needs to re-adjust - be patient with yourself.
7.   Notice your "anxiety" gradually evaporating.

It is worth taking note of the fact that your 'stress hormone' production has been building for months - probably without you directly noticing -  and it will take some time for it to even out. So, next year, notice it early and take action!

All the very best :)

[Cemorenc]

How can I feel better? Any suggestions? I'm on year 7 as a teacher and it's worse than ever. Only 2 days into break :(

[FlorenceDelacruz]

I completely understand. I'm sorry this is nearly a year late, but as of right now, I'm suffering summer anxiety as well. I'm 17 and becoming a senior soon so it's nerve-wrecking knowing I'm slowly transitioning into my adulthood . But according to past experiences, I started suffering summer anxiety right after 7th grade. While people like finding this time to be lazy and do whatever, I feel like this is the time away from school where I have to reach an amount of goals before school comes. School gives you all these tasks and we're just so used to being obliged to doing them, despite how much we complain about it. But by the time summer comes, there's so much opportunity of freedom that some of us get overwhelmed on how to use it (and not to mention, in a limited amount of time). I can see that you and I suffer that impulse and need to be productive before the stress of school comes again.

Knowing I'm headed for my last year of high school, I'm anxious about applying to college, searching for scholarships, needing to take the SAT, and such and such. It's like my youth gets taken away each and everyday knowing I'll be on my own someday . But I have to remind myself again and again that I'm in a process, that no matter what happens to me, I'm going to get through this and enjoy my life.

So whether nobody else understands, it's okay. People vary in skills, beliefs, and personality. Now that summer's here again, if the anxiety creeps up often, just stop for a moment, breathe, and appreciate the little things in life. It takes a lot of skill to think outside of the box and step out of yourself, but it's worth it.

If you still need to talk it out, just reply back ASAP. ;) Honestly, I feel relieved knowing I'm not the only one who suffers from this seasonal anxiety. I'd love it for us to help each other out. :)

[Bri1995]

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