Written By: Rebecca Kangwa, LMHC, Founder

When people talk about feeling sad because of the seasons, they usually mean winter. But did you know some people feel sad in the summer too? This is called Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder or Summer SAD.

At The Gold Mind, we are NYC therapists who help other New Yorkers feel better. We want you to know it’s normal if you feel sad in the summer. You’re not alone!

What Is Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder?

Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder happens when people feel sad or upset during the summer months. Some people thrive in the warmer months while other feels worse. 

People with summer depression might:

• Have trouble sleeping at night
  
• Not feel hungry or lose weight
  
• Feel nervous, worried, or upset
  
• Get annoyed or angry easily
  
• Have trouble paying attention
  
• Want to stay away from friends and family
  
• Feel too hot or tired because of the heat and long days
  

Feeling sad in summer doesn’t mean something is wrong with you. It just means your body and brain react differently to the season.

Why Do People Get Summer Depression?

Doctors aren’t sure why some people get summer seasonal affective disorder, but there are a few reasons it might happen:

• Too Much Sunlight – Longer days can mess up your sleep.
  
• Heat and Humidity – Hot weather can make people feel tired or stressed.
  
• Changes in Routines – Summer can mess up your normal daily schedule.
  
• Body Image Worries – Wearing summer clothes can make people feel nervous about how they look.
  
• Social Pressure – People feel like they should be having fun in summer, and feel bad if they’re not.
  

As NYC therapists, we talk to many people who are surprised to feel sad when the sun is shining.

How Can You Feel Better?

If you have summer depression in NYC, here are some ways to help yourself feel better:

• Keep a regular sleep schedule, even when the sun stays out longer.
  
• Stay cool and take breaks inside if it’s too hot.
  
• Try to keep your daily routine, like eating meals at the same time.
  
• Drink water and eat enough food, even if you’re not very hungry.
  
• Talk to someone you trust, like a friend, family member, or therapist.
  
• Be kind to yourself. It’s okay to feel sad, even in summer.
  

You’re Not Alone

If you think you might have summer seasonal affective disorder in NYC, The Gold Mind is here to help. Talking to an NYC therapist can help you feel better and learn new ways to cope.

Do you want help feeling better this summer? Contact our NYC therapists at The Gold Mind today. We’re here for you in every season.

Written By: Rebecca Kangwa, LMHC, EMDR Therapist

NYC can be such an electric and exciting place. When you walk outside you’re instantly met with sights, sounds, and smells – whether you like it or not. The energy of Manhattan is what makes it so special, but sometimes it isn’t the best thing for our nervous system. 

At The Gold Mind, we help people who love New York but also need to decompress with their comfort show after being outside for more than 5 minutes. 

Why Does NYC Feel So Intense?

Living in the city comes with:

• Subway screeches, honking horns, and always an ambulance
  
• Heavy foot and car traffic seemingly everywhere
  
• Overcrowded small spaces

Even if you love the energy, sometimes it’s just… too much.

How Sensory Overload Shows Up

When NYC is overstimulating you, it might look like:

• Feeling hyper but exhausted
  Irritability over small things 
• Headaches or muscle tension
  Craving alone time but feeling lonely when you have it
• Stuck with racing thoughts when trying to go to bed 

This doesn’t mean you’re failing at city life. It just means your mind and body need a reset.

How Therapy Can Help

At The Gold Mind, we help New Yorkers sustainably navigate life in the Big Apple. Therapy can help you:

• Recognize the early signs of sensory overload
• Create small rituals to maintain calmness
• Set boundaries confidently 
• Learn ways to decompress so you can maintain a healthy relationship with nyc

New York might be the city that never sleeps, but that doesn’t mean you have to be on all the time. You deserve balance, peace, and space to breathe.

Feeling stretched thin in NYC? Connect with us at The Gold Mind. Let’s help you find your calm in the chaos and keep loving the city you call home.

Written By: Rebecca Kangwa, LMHC, Founder

You might finally have more free time, feel a bit less stressed, and have the mental space to focus on real changes. Often, when we’re in crisis mode, we’re busy putting out fires and handling the immediate chaos of life in New York City. But when things slow down, even just a little, that’s the perfect moment to dig deeper into areas of your life that deserve attention. Maybe it’s revisiting your childhood, exploring relationship patterns, or finally processing grief you’ve conveniently avoided.

Summer Can Be Hard

Of course, summer in NYC isn’t always sunshine and soft serve, either. It comes with its own set of challenges: FOMO, comparing yourself to your friends’ glamorous trips to Italy, juggling high living costs while work slows down, or simply trying not to melt on a sweltering subway platform. I recently heard someone say that summer isn’t the best season, it just has the best marketing. And honestly? Fair point. There’s a lot of pressure packed into those three months to be the happiest, most carefree version of yourself.

Benefits to Starting Therapy During Summer

As NYC therapists, we know summer can be a quieter season for therapy. Many people feel better, switch to biweekly sessions, take breaks for travel, or navigate complex summer schedules. But that also means therapists in New York City often have more openings and flexibility right now. It’s an excellent time to start therapy, especially if you’re a busy professional looking for high-quality mental health care tailored to your needs. Investing in yourself now can set you up for the rest of the year. (Can you believe we’re already halfway through?) Establishing healthy routines and habits this summer can make life much smoother for your fall and winter self.

What Now?

So if you’re reading this while sipping an iced matcha or enjoying a summer salad, first of all, I’m jealous, but secondly, maybe this is your sign to prioritize your mental health.

If you don’t know where to start, let me make it easy: reach out to The Gold Mind. We’re a boutique private practice offering therapy in NYC for individuals who value their mental health and want a holistic, personalized experience. We’ll help pair you with an NYC therapist who truly gets you.

Cheers to those thriving, and to the ones just surviving.