Definition “Midwest Mania”: “The act of individual’s residing in a location known as the Midwest region of the United States and behaving with extreme excitement and energy in early May and June due to changing warm weather patterns of this region of the country.” This is a new term I have been having fun using with some of my clients. We all know by now that Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can cause symptoms of depression in the winter months, but what about the rapidly fluctuating weather patterns to warming climates and more sun? During the upswing of warmer weather, “Midwesterners” get a little extra kick of energy. I was even told my cat will grow darker hair during the summertime, so how does this impact us humans?
Researchers believe the increase in sunlight can increase serotonin that could improve mood and focus. Sun exposure to the skin can allow the brain to create melatonin that helps regulates your 24-hour internal clock known as our circadian rhythm. Sunlight helps promote vitamin D and can help individuals who have vitamin D deficiencies and diseases linked to vitamin D deficiencies. Preliminary research studies further suggest sunlight can help treat rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and thyroiditis.
A New Season of Hope and Regrowth
So how do we adjust to warming weather using mindfulness? Accept the weather is temporary and always changing. Just as the weather of our lives can be ever changing allowing ourselves to be in the moment and accept each moment for what it has to offer. Avoid becoming too attached to a moment or preemptively have your mind thinking about missing moments. Think about how you physically, mentally and cognitively experience weather. Watch the rain, feel heat or wind and be fully present.
Begin to allow this change to be a representation of regrowth springing from your own inner-self. Let go of the frustration of the winter months such as the stress of the holidays or even possibly the political rhetoric going on. Embrace the possibility of growth by learning something new, being present, and congratulating yourself that you made it through the cold wet months.
Don’t get caught up in the mania. Just as we don’t want to ruminate on negative depressed feelings, keep equanimity within all emotions. Remember to slow down and enjoy the summer. Set some days aside from all the summer activities we often get caught up in such as summer vacation, holidays and wedding and plan some relaxing days to practice mindfulness. City Parks, the Dunes, Lake Michigan, Hiking Trails are all great places to possibly plan a picnic or relax at during the warmer months.
Lastly, remember being able to experience all four seasons can be a unique experience for individuals on Earth and know this has helped shape our culture and who we are as “Midwesterners”.
Ann-Marie Sands, LCSW
Clinical Director
Clarity Clinic
Sansone, R. A., & Sansone, L. A. (2013). Sunshine, Serotonin, and Skin: A Partial Explanation for Seasonal Patterns in Psychopathology? Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience, 10(7-8), 20–24.
Gambichler T, Bader A, Vojvodic M, et al. Impact of UVA exposure on psychological parameters and circulating serotonin and melatonin. BMC Dermatol. 2002;2:6.
Koskela A, Kauppinen T, Keski-Rahkonen A, et al. Brain serotonin transporter binding of [123I]ADAM: within-subject variation between summer and winter data. Chronobiol Int. 2008;25:657–665.
Langstroth, L. (1935). The Treatment of Chronic Arthritis by Diet and Sunlight. California and Western Medicine, 42(3), 145–149.
Mackawy, A. M. H., Al-ayed Bushra Mohammed, & Al-rashidi Bashayer Mater. (2013). Vitamin D Deficiency and Its Association with Thyroid Disease. International Journal of Health Sciences,7(3), 267–275.
Young SN. How to increase serotonin in the human brain without drugs. J Psychiatry Neurosci. 2007;32:394–399.
Vernia, P., Burrelli Scotti, G., Dei Giudici, A., Chiappini, A., Cannizzaro, S., Afferri, M. T. and de Carolis, A. (2018), Inadequate sunlight exposure in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Journal of Digestive Diseases, 19: 8–14. doi:10.1111/1751-2980.12567
