by my guest blogger, Aimee, from SeeTheUniverse - a mental health and psychology blog
| I am 22-years-old and have just finished my university degree in Social Policy and Early Childhood. Blogging for me is a hobby which I am super passionate about and therefore the majority of my spare time goes into writing blog posts and doing my research. If I was to be given the opportunity to be a full-time, paid blogger, I would grab it with both hands! Helping people in various different ways is also something that I am passionate about, therefore I aim to help people through my blog as well as working closely with various charities such as Safe Families and Mind. I hope you enjoy my guest post! If you do and would like to read more, please feel free to head over to my blog and follow me on Twitter, I would love to get to know more people! |  |
Summer Sun and Mental Health
With the lovely weather that we have had lately and the summer months fast approaching, I thought it would be appropriate to discuss the importance of mental health problems and how they do not take a break when the sun comes out.
Mental health problems are often with people for life, therefore they do not disappear when social events pop up, or when the summer months arrive. Summer is often associated with fun in the sun, BBQs, swimming, family events, late nights with friends and many more happy occasions. But for many people summer brings challenges and hurdles. This does not mean that they are incapable of enjoying the nice weather, it just means that it can sometimes be a little bit more difficult for them to do so.
Many of us take one look at the sun and without giving it a thought, we squeeze into our bikinis, or shorts and t-shirts and head outside to catch a tan! However, some people fear the warm weather. For many people digging out their summer wardrobe brings worry, this could be because of body-image anxiety, eating disorders or self-harm scars to name a few mental health related issues.
When suffering from mental health problems, day-to-day tasks such as staying hydrated and nourished and looking after personal hygiene can be seen as a challenge. Summer days can add to these challenges with the added pressure on looking ‘perfect’, with smooth hairless bodies or evenly tanned skin! Getting ready in the mornings can be hard enough, without feeling the need to fit in with the rest of the society as they prance around in their summer clothes.
Warm weather also means an increase in social events, such as BBQs, family get togethers and late nights with friends. Again, events like this can be difficult to cope with when a person is suffering from a mental health problem such as depression and/or anxiety. When the sun is out we often feel obliged to sit outside and soak up the rays, but it is okay to stay indoors from time-to-time and look after yourself. There is no need to feel guilty or selfish for saying ‘no.’
Mental health problems are often with people for life, therefore they do not disappear when social events pop up, or when the summer months arrive. Summer is often associated with fun in the sun, BBQs, swimming, family events, late nights with friends and many more happy occasions. But for many people summer brings challenges and hurdles. This does not mean that they are incapable of enjoying the nice weather, it just means that it can sometimes be a little bit more difficult for them to do so.
Many of us take one look at the sun and without giving it a thought, we squeeze into our bikinis, or shorts and t-shirts and head outside to catch a tan! However, some people fear the warm weather. For many people digging out their summer wardrobe brings worry, this could be because of body-image anxiety, eating disorders or self-harm scars to name a few mental health related issues.
When suffering from mental health problems, day-to-day tasks such as staying hydrated and nourished and looking after personal hygiene can be seen as a challenge. Summer days can add to these challenges with the added pressure on looking ‘perfect’, with smooth hairless bodies or evenly tanned skin! Getting ready in the mornings can be hard enough, without feeling the need to fit in with the rest of the society as they prance around in their summer clothes.
Warm weather also means an increase in social events, such as BBQs, family get togethers and late nights with friends. Again, events like this can be difficult to cope with when a person is suffering from a mental health problem such as depression and/or anxiety. When the sun is out we often feel obliged to sit outside and soak up the rays, but it is okay to stay indoors from time-to-time and look after yourself. There is no need to feel guilty or selfish for saying ‘no.’
 | If you are struggling with a mental health condition, make sure that you look after yourself rather than trying to please others. Make sure to switch off technology every now and again and just relax, without scrolling through social media and seeing what everyone else is up to. Make sure to engage in self-care, no matter how small, everyday! And if you are in need of help, support or guidance, please reach out. It is okay not to be okay. |
You may be unaware of a person’s mental health problem, and may crack some jokes about a person's clothing or may stare at their scars… this only adds to their fears.
Please do not judge anyone on their appearance. You never know what their story is or how much damage you could be doing to that person. If a friend or family members says ‘no’ to attending a social event, that is okay. Do not make them feel guilty for not going, instead; see if they are okay, ask them if there is anything they want to talk about or if there is anything that they need.
Words and actions can have a serious effect on people. So please, make sure you make the right decisions.
Have Hope Always, from Aimee, at SeeTheUniverse.
Please do not judge anyone on their appearance. You never know what their story is or how much damage you could be doing to that person. If a friend or family members says ‘no’ to attending a social event, that is okay. Do not make them feel guilty for not going, instead; see if they are okay, ask them if there is anything they want to talk about or if there is anything that they need.
Words and actions can have a serious effect on people. So please, make sure you make the right decisions.
Have Hope Always, from Aimee, at SeeTheUniverse.
| Connect with Aimee, at SeeTheUniverse: Blog: www.seetheuniverse.com Twitter: twitter.com/Seetheuniverse_ |  |
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