Why Summer Doesn’t Have to Be For Everyone

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It’s a well known fact that Brits have a weird obsession for talking about the weather. Society suggests that at the first glimpse of sun we should all be hunting out moth-eaten swimsuits, epilating ourselves like crazy people and running as fast as our pale legs can carry us, before diving into the nearest Insta-worthy infinity pool or sunning ourselves into becoming bronzed Gods and Goddesses ready for the next series of Love Island.

Summer Doesn’t Have To Be For Everyone

We’ve probably all heard of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) which is most commonly associated with the Winter months. This is where the cold and damp conditions can have a negative effect on a person’s physical and mental health. Symptoms often include: low mood, lethargy and irritability. According to the NHS website SAD is also often referred to as “Winter Depression” but what happens if these symptoms are actually bought on by the hotter weather?

Can you imagine going to your doctor and telling them that during the Summer you are more inclined to feel depressed, suffer migraines, feel nauseas, irritable, and lethargic? They would probably tell you to drink more water and book a holiday.

A holiday in the sun is my idea of hell.

Surely Summer doesn’t have to be for everyone?

The seasons also dictate a lot of our clothing habits, it may seem obvious that when the weather is warmer you would simply wear less layers and show a bit more flesh, but this is not necessarily so easy for those with body confidence issues. Social media is bad enough, but when you step outside and half the population seems to be wearing next to nothing it can make you feel even worse. It doesn’t matter how hot it is I will still be in trousers and long sleeved tops, regardless of what anyone else says.

The UK is known for its unpredictable weather, the distinct possibility of rain, and I take comfort from this. I am almost always cold so wearing jeans and a jumper is normal for me, in fact it’s almost compulsory. I don’t believe in leaving the house without a jacket or coat of some kind and I hardly ever bother with an umbrella. This is my natural state and I don’t like having to change it.

However, we have just been in the midst of a heatwave, something we just aren’t used to. The moment that thermometer hit 30° the population of the country seemed to go a little mad. Suddenly people were arriving at the office in t-shirts and dresses that exposed tattoos you never knew they had, windows were yanked open with such force you wondered how they stayed intact, and almost everyone would stop and stare at ventilation systems wondering if and when they would ever start working.

An Australian friend of mine was met with the usual “You must be used to this” as she fanned herself mercilessly whilst practically climbing into the communal fridge. “Heat? Yes, but the difference is in Australia we have air conditioning.” came her reply. It’s true. The UK may love the sun but we are just not equipped for it. Air conditioning is a rarity, trainlines literally buckle under the heat causing our already unreliable transport system comes to an even quicker standstill.

Outdoor activities are expected and actively encouraged, but apparently, staying cooped up indoors with the curtains drawn, catching up on the latest episode of Killing Eve is unacceptable.

“Get out and enjoy the sun” is a common phrase that sends my irritability levels soaring at the same rate as the temperature.

I don’t want to be out enjoying the sun.

I do not enjoy the sun.

I want to be snuggled in my pyjamas, curtains drawn, with a good book and a hot chocolate. I don’t want to be feeling clammy and uncomfortable whilst struggling to gain the energy to get up and refill my refillable water bottle (for the umpteenth time that day) and poking unenthusiastically at another dull salad.

Today the temperature has dropped, to the point where there is even a chill in the air. I’m happy again, the headache I had all of last week has gone, the nausea that was in the pit of my stomach has subsided and today I was back in my jeans and even threw on an old cardigan. My mood has lifted, I was even comfortable enough to sit at my laptop and write this post.

We are all affected by the weather and seasons and that’s ok.

Summer doesn’t have to be for everyone.

Do you love or hate the Summer?

Let me know in the comments.