Wednesday - June 24th, 2026
Apple News
×

What can we help you find?

Open Menu

1247: Why Do Longer Days Make Me Anxious: Listener Q And A

  1. 1247: Why Do Longer Days Make Me Anxious: Listener Q And A Gina Ryan 22:10

In today’s episode, Gina answers a listener question about how longer days in the summertime can actually seem to make himself more anxious. This is contrary to the pattern more commonly observed of less light in the winter months causing more Depression and Anxiety. The importance of regular Sleep is discussed as well as how the darkness (more plentiful in winter months) can actually provide a sense of closure and comfort at the end of the day. Listen in for advice on how to adapt to the lengthening of the daylight hours during spring and summer!

Stillpoint Fridays is my once-a-week Friday note — a slower, more personal reflection that’s different from what I share on the podcast.

If you’d like a quiet place to land as the week winds down, you can join here:  http://eepurl.com/bR2F9P or on our website anxietycoachespodcast.com and sign up for the newsletter.

Please visit our Sponsor Page to find all the links and codes for our awesome sponsors! https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.com/sponsors/

Website https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.com

Join our community Group Coaching Join our Group Coaching Full or Mini Membership Program

1:1 Coaching Learn more about our One-on-One Coaching

If you prefer to listen AD-FREE, try our Supercast premium access membership:

Learn more about anxiety What is anxiety?

Free Guided Meditation for Calming Your Anxious Mind 10-Minute Body-Scan Meditation for Anxiety

Quote:

Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself and know that everything in this life has a purpose.

 — Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Chapters

0:26 Light and Anxiety

5:12 Seasonal Nervous System

11:46 Summer Overstimulation

14:50 Calming Evening Rituals

18:49 Honor Your Rhythm

Summary

In this episode we respond to a listener email from Bill in the northeastern United States about how increasing daylight in spring and summer affects his anxiety. We discuss his experience of feeling more pressure to be productive, more FOMO, and more difficulty sleeping when the evenings stay light longer.

We explore how light can influence the nervous system. We explain that humans are naturally attuned to sunrise and sunset, and that longer daylight can affect melatonin, energy levels, emotional regulation, and the sense that we should keep going. For some people, especially anxious or sensitive nervous systems, this extra stimulation can feel dysregulating.

We also talk about the opposite experience in darker months. We note that many people feel more settled when darkness comes earlier because it creates a sense of closure, fewer expectations, and more permission to rest. We contrast that with the cultural pressure around summer to be active, social, and constantly making the most of the day.

#AnxietyCoachesPodcast #GinaRyan #AnxietyRelief #NervousSystem #MentalHealthAwareness #SummerAnxiety #SeasonalAffectiveDisorder #ReverseSAD #SelfCare #Mindfulness #SleepHygiene #ProductivityPressure #FOMO #HSP #HighlySensitivePerson #NervousSystemRegulation #WellnessJourney #RestIsProductive #EmotionalWellbeing #SelfCompassion #HealthyRhythms #InnerPeace #CalmMind #SpringEquinox #SummerSolstice #MentalHealthMatters #ACP

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gina Ryan is the producer and host of the top 50 Mental Health shows on Apple Podcast -The Anxiety Coaches Podcast. Gina is a Nutritionist and coach who, in 1993, opened New Health Natural Products in NY and also struggled with stress, anxiety, and panic for over 20 years.

Before the internet, she was able to climb out of her fear and panic to peace, calm, and well-being by finding what did and did not work. She now teaches thousands of others how to do the same in a fraction of the time.

After moving to Maui in 2005, Gina spent 12 years as a nutritionist/consultant for the Intensive Outpatient Eating Disorder Center and, the only Residential ED Facility in Hawai'i. She shared her compassion, along with her knowledge and wisdom of the mind-body-spirit connection, helping clients clear their food-related anxiety, obsessions, and compulsions.

Gina is dedicated full-time to anxiety-clearing, coaching, writing, and teaching clients worldwide. She considers her work her calling and lives a mindful and compassionate life.