5 Summer Activities That Can Boost Your Mental Health

The sun’s out, the temperature is rising, and… you’re feeling depressed. This has been happening to me for the past few years, even in beautiful, sunny Colorado. While people typically experience the effects of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in the fall and winter months, this condition can also cause some individuals to feel depressed in the spring and summer. Whether you have SAD or you’re feeling depressed for another reason, here are five activities you should consider to boost your mental health this summer:

1. Head outside to try a new outdoor exercise like walking, swimming, or playing tennis (even if you don’t feel up to exercising, relaxing outside while reading a book or picnicking with friends could improve your mood).
2. Create a summer playlist filled with upbeat, catchy tunes.
3. Spruce up your home by planting some flowers (if you don’t have any outdoor space, try looking for a local community garden - if you're in Denver, check out DUG)
4. Attend a local street fair, watch an outdoor movie, Jazz in the Park, or spend the day at a nearby amusement park.
5. Pick up some fruits and vegetables from a local farmer’s market (and maybe even use them to try a new recipe).