Fun in the Sun

In today’s fast paced world, we have so much technology at our fingertips. It’s stimulating. It’s exciting. It’s so engaging. It’s also keeping us from spending time outside.

For most, summer is a time to be outside playing. You can soak up the sun, your daily dose of Vitamin D, and create memories that last a lifetime. Generally speaking, this all impacts your mental health in a positive manner. However, for some people the warm weather has a negative impact on them. For some, the warm weather causes them to feel more depression and/or anxiety. Research offers several ways to help alleviate this problem, and I've chosen to highlight three below:

1. You can exercise to improve mood. If you do this with a friend, not only are you being physically active, you are bonding with a friend. This decreases feelings of isolation and loneliness.
2. Volunteering is another great way to connect with people and feel connected. The summer time has many opportunities for volunteering.
3. Gardening is something that helps give you a sense of accomplishment and can be done with flowers or food.

Overall, being outside in the summer can be a benefit to your general mental health. Make sure you stay hydrated and wear sunscreen, too!

Brianne Wooldridge is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the Campbell County Medical Group Kid Clinic. The Kid Clinic is a school-based pediatric clinic in Gillette, Wyoming. The medical clinic serves children ages 2 weeks to 18 years old; and counseling services for children 4 years old to 21 years old. It is located at 800 Butler Spaeth Rd., across from St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Gillette, Wyoming. The Kid Clinic is open Monday-Friday from 8 am-5 pm. For more information, call 307-688-8700. The Kid Clinic is a collaborative effort between Campbell County Health and Campbell County School District.