September Anxiety Is Real, Here Are The Symptoms

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Carline

Carline is an advocate for women's empowerment and environmental issues, such as plastic pollution and its effects. She is a passionate writer who wants to make a difference.

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September Anxiety.  It sounds like the title of a movie, but it is real.

If you’ve felt your mood changes depending on the season, the time of the year highly contributes to how you’re feeling.

I know several people who seem to have worsened conditions during the -ber months.

Here’s why:  anxiety worsens during different months (like the summer, or the holidays for example), while conditions like seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can induce serious depressive episodes during -ber months or the winter.

Now we are in September and the season change from summer to autumn can be a real trigger for a lot of people.

Bidding goodbye to summertime means that everything is about to get serious. We are also reminiscent of our childhood because every summer, we recall having no school and experiencing a lot of fun.

Let’s get real:  sometimes you just want to stop being an adult, even just for a day.

Anxiety triggers vary per person.  Anxiety can be sparked by anything from a work deadline to dinner with toxic, prying relatives to a medical appointment or looking for a new job.  It can be brought on by a certain time of the year.

Your brain also reacts to the change in weather. This is true for whichever continent you live in.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression which comes and goes depending on the season.

The main cause of SAD isn’t fully determined.  However, the main theory is that lack of sunlight might affect a part of the brain (hypothalamus).  In turn, this affects the production of serotonin.  Serotonin are part of  “the happy hormones” because they control our mood, appetite, and sleep.

Therefore, the lack of sunlight causes the serotonin levels to lower down which can lead to feelings of depression.

Signs that you are going through September anxiety:

1. You’re irritable.

If you get easily impatient with your family or colleagues, getting short-tempered at your kids it could be because of the time of year.

Your workload amps up as the new season comes and it can make you irritable.

And it’s the start of the school year, which means that your routine will go back to a regimented schedule again:  waking up early to take the kids to school and so on.

2.  You’ve been making a list of endless tasks.

If you find yourself obsessively making to-do lists in your head or trying to go over everything that needs to be done before September hits, you’re not just being organized-it’s a sign of anxiety.

Don’t get us wrong: staying on top of things is an efficient way to stay organized. But the longer the list goes on, the more it induces your anxiety.

The thought of an overflowing inbox and pending tasks at work can add to the stress.  Some advice:  take it day-by-day and prioritize bit by bit and aim to get them done as soon as possible.

Don’t put the pressure on yourself.

3. You are losing sleep.

Losing sleep means you are worrying too much. Sometimes when we go to bed, instead of closing our eyes and relaxing, we think about the things needed to be done the next day.

It’s like a mix of excitement and pressure.

Checking your gadgets, reading or browsing online will do the opposite.  The light that gadgets emit actually signals your brain that it needs to be awake.

Put down your gadgets at least 15 minutes before going to bed. This will allow your brain and your eyes to relax and adjust to the dark.

Take a warm shower to relax your nerves or apply some Lush Sleepy Hand and Body Lotion before bed.  It contains cocoa butter, almond oil, lavender, and oatmeal. A lot of women swear by it, others saying you can even sleep within 15 minutes of application.

4. Your appetite changes.

Some people who have anxiety don’t like to eat at all because their appetite is suppressed and their stomachs cannot handle heavy food. Meanwhile, some people crave sweets and junk food.

Notice when your appetite changes as the seasons change.

Ask your doctor if you could start taking Vitamin D supplements to boost the production of serotonin, the happy hormones.

5. Sudden contemplation.

Do you suddenly feel like you hate your job? Or you want to move to another place? There’s a reason for that and you should not give in to this impulse without serious thought, especially when it’s about consequential life decisions such as career. If you feel this way, take a break, have some fun and find value in what you do.

You may soon realize that it’s just September anxiety talking.

Here’s what you need to do if you have all these signs:

Distract yourself

Keeping yourself busy is an excellent way to make your mind and your body forget that you have anxiety.  You’re tricking it and this keeps anxiety symptoms from worsening.

However, be careful not to overwork yourself because when you’re too tired, your stress levels will soar and your anxiety symptoms could get worse.

If you’re feeling sad, try to meet up with some friends and have fun, go for a jog, or watch a happy movie. Focus your mind on optimism instead of worrying.

Take supplements

People with anxiety sometimes lack these vitamins and taking supplements can manage anxiety symptoms.

Recommendation:  Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Magnesium, Zinc, B Vitamins

Another way to take Vitamin D naturally is to get some sun, go for a walk or a morning jog. It is a good way to get some oxygen to your brain.

Getting sunlight even just for a few minutes a day can make a huge difference in your mental health. It will keep melatonin and serotonin levels high which would result in improved mood and sleep.

Moreover, there’s a study that shows that seeing greenery and nature decreases the risk of depression.

Practice Mindfulness

“Mindfulness are the keys to enter a state of inner peace. They can be used to bring you into the Now, the present moment, where problems do not exist. It is here you find your joy and are able to embrace your true self. It is here you discover that you are already complete and perfect.” – The Power of Now by Ekhart Tolie

Being in the present moment lets you focus on your breathing, and being in the present means you don’t have to worry about anything.

Mindfulness has proven to ease the symptoms of stress and anxiety. Moreover, it has a positive impact on your mental wellbeing.

Conclusion

The best thing to do with September anxiety is to practice gratefulness, instead of saying “I have to” say “I get to.” For example, “I get to go to work” and “I get to send my kids to school.”

Sometimes we are so caught up with our responsibilities that we forget to appreciate what we have. Take it day by day and everything will be okay.

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