Springtime Anxiety: When Longer Days Bring Unease and How Neurofeedback Can Help

"Many people wait until their anxiety peaks to seek support, but the best time to start Neurofeedback is before the worst phase hits, proactively." - Kayla Taylor

When we think of seasonal mood disorders, we usually picture wintertime blues. But for some people, anxiety doesn’t strike in the dark months, rather it ramps up with the arrival of spring.

If you or someone you love experiences heightened anxiety every spring, you're not alone. While less commonly talked about, reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or seasonal anxiety that peaks in spring or summer is very real and, fortunately, very treatable.

What Is Reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder?

Reverse SAD is a form of seasonal mood disturbance that typically surfaces in the spring or summer, as opposed to the more common winter-pattern SAD. While winter SAD often presents as low mood, fatigue, and withdrawal, springtime SAD often shows up as:

• Increased anxiety

• Restlessness or agitation

• Sleep disturbances (often insomnia)

• Racing thoughts

• Irritability or panic attacks

It’s not just a quirk of personality, it’s a neurobiological pattern that many people experience. There are a few psychological and physiological factors at play when spring sparks anxiety:

• Light and circadian rhythm shifts: Longer daylight hours can disrupt sleep cycles, increase cortisol (stress hormone), and overstimulate people sensitive to light or sensory changes.

• Dopamine and serotonin fluctuations: These neurotransmitters shift with seasonal changes. For some, the increase in daylight affects mood regulation pathways in unpredictable ways.

• Social and environmental triggers: Spring brings renewed social pressure, end-of-year school stress, body image triggers, and changes in routine that can exacerbate anxiety.

• Brainwave dysregulation: Individuals with springtime anxiety often show elevated high beta brainwave activity, associated with hyperarousal, fear responses, and difficulty relaxing.

  

How can Neurofeedback Therapy Help?

As a psychologist specializing in Neurofeedback Therapy, I often see clients with seasonal anxiety patterns and Neurofeedback offers a powerful, non-invasive solution. It works by training the brain to self-regulate, by showing it real-time feedback on its activity and reinforcing more balanced patterns.

Specifically, Neurofeedback can help:

• Reduce high beta overactivity, which is often linked to anxiety, panic, and restlessness

• Enhance alpha and SMR (sensorimotor rhythm) frequencies to support calm focus and sleep

• Strengthen brain flexibility and resilience, reducing the impact of external seasonal changes

• Help individuals feel more grounded, even when the world around them feels fast-moving or overwhelming

Over time, clients build a more adaptive and stable brainwave profile, reducing the brain’s tendency to spike in anxious states during certain seasons.

Why Now Is the Time to Start

Many people wait until their anxiety peaks to seek support, but the best time to start Neurofeedback is before the worst phase hits, proactively.  But don’t worry, if you have missed the mark for proactivity, then just know that it is never too late to start.

By beginning Neurofeedback Therapy now:

• The brain becomes more resilient to stress triggers

• You may prevent the worst spikes of anxiety in future seasons

• You build a long-term strategy, not just a reactive solution

In fact, many clients who complete a course of Neurofeedback report that their seasonal symptoms diminish significantly in following years, a pattern supported by clinical research showing long-term reductions in anxiety and improved brain self-regulation following Neurofeedback therapy (Hammond, 2005; Peeters et al., 2014).

A New Perspective on Anxiety

If spring has never felt quite right for you… if the light, the pressure, the buzz of the world makes your nervous system feel like it’s spinning - know that you’re not broken! Your brain may just need some gentle guidance to recalibrate.

Neurofeedback offers more than symptom relief. It helps the brain learn a new way of being: one that is calmer, more adaptable, and less at the mercy of seasonal shifts. And then you don’t have to dread the changing seasons because your brain can learn to regulate in a way that reduces the impact of them to begin with. 

Would you like to schedule a consultation to explore if Neurofeedback is right for your seasonal anxiety? We offer free information sessions so let’s talk. Get in touch with us HERE or by calling 587-333-6349. 💙

References

Hammond, D.C. (2005). Neurofeedback with anxiety and affective disorders. Journal of Adult Development, 11(1), 25–34.

Peeters, F. et al. (2014). Neurofeedback as a treatment for major depressive disorder – A pilot study. Biological Psychology, 95, 19–23. 

Disclaimer

Our content is for informational and educational purposes and is not a replacement for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you're facing mental health concerns, please seek help from a qualified professional for personalized guidance. Every individual's situation is unique, so use the information here at your discretion. While we strive for accuracy, the field of psychology is ever-evolving, and our content may not always reflect the latest research. Please prioritize your privacy by avoiding sharing personal information in comments or interactions. Your well-being is our top concern, so use our content for educational purposes, but remember to rely on professionals for your specific needs.