The psychologist called the symptoms of the missed summer syndrome

Feeling of missing time, irritability, comparing oneself with others are all signs of the missed summer syndrome. Elena Shidlovskaya, a psychologist at the Scandinavian Health Center, told Izvestia on September 6 why it occurs, how to distinguish it from depression, and what steps help avoid the autumn blues.

The missed summer syndrome is not a disease, but a psychological condition that forms at the end of the season. A person notices a gap between how he wanted to spend the summer and what happened in reality. There are regrets, a feeling of missed opportunities, FOMO (fear of missing out on something important), irritability. Procrastination, mood swings, shallow sleep, and obsessive thoughts about unrealized plans often occur.

"Shortening daylight hours changes circadian rhythms (the body's circadian biological clock that regulates sleep and mood) and affects the emotional background. Social attitudes reinforce expectations — summer is traditionally perceived as a time of rest and vacations, and by August, a "plan check" is enabled, the specialist explained.

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Additionally, the perception is influenced by the social media feed: an excess of "ideal vacations" provokes comparison and reinforces the feeling that everything has passed by.

The main difference with depression is the depth and duration of the symptoms. With the syndrome of missed summer, the mood fluctuates, and with support it improves. With depression, depression persists for more than two weeks, accompanied by sleep and appetite disorders, fatigue, and loss of interest in habitual activities. Seasonal affective disorder (a form of depression that recurs at the same time of the year) is characterized by a regular recurrence of symptoms.

Separately, it is important to distinguish between this condition and overwork. When tired, a good rest is enough to feel relief. Missed summer syndrome is dominated by regrets and comparisons, even if a person gets enough sleep. If depression becomes persistent and interferes with daily life, this is a reason for face-to-face diagnosis.

"To reduce tension, it is important to end the season and gently enter autumn. The "closing ritual" helps to achieve this: to list what has been achieved and reschedule some of the unrealized plans for September. Morning light, walking, and, if necessary, light therapy (treatment with special lamps that simulate daylight) help maintain stability," the psychologist noted.

Regular physical activity, meetings with loved ones, and limited viewing of vacation content on social media contribute to maintaining emotional balance.

It is also important to focus only on yourself. Constant comparisons with other people's results and pictures from social networks make it difficult to live your own life. If a person repeatedly feels that their summer is "worse" than someone else's, this may be a direct reason to consult a specialist in order to reduce external pressure and return the focus to their own values.

On September 3, nutritionist Galina Leonova spoke about one of the main causes of excess weight, which is excessive calorie intake. The doctor said that it is important to find a balance that will allow you to lose weight while remaining full.

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