1 00:00:02,720 --> 00:00:03,520 Speaker 1: Life Audio. 2 00:00:05,000 --> 00:00:09,840 Speaker 2: Summer is supposed to be the season of sunshine, vacations, 3 00:00:09,880 --> 00:00:14,680 Speaker 2: and smiling social media photos, but for many people, it's 4 00:00:14,760 --> 00:00:20,640 Speaker 2: when depression quietly deepens. If you've ever felt more anxious, lonely, 5 00:00:20,920 --> 00:00:24,960 Speaker 2: or emotionally exhausted during the summer months, you're not imagining 6 00:00:25,000 --> 00:00:28,840 Speaker 2: it and you're not alone. In today's episode of Your 7 00:00:28,920 --> 00:00:33,839 Speaker 2: Hope Filled Perspective, I am going to talk about summer's sadness, 8 00:00:34,159 --> 00:00:39,800 Speaker 2: why depression and mental health struggles can actually spike during summer, 9 00:00:40,880 --> 00:00:45,760 Speaker 2: and we'll talk about what brain, science, psychology, and scripture 10 00:00:46,000 --> 00:00:50,520 Speaker 2: reveal about this misunderstood phenomenon. Whether you're battling low mood, 11 00:00:50,840 --> 00:00:55,880 Speaker 2: disrupted sleep, increased comparison, or the pressure to feel happy, 12 00:00:56,280 --> 00:01:00,000 Speaker 2: this conversation will help you understand what's happening in your mind, 13 00:01:00,040 --> 00:01:03,520 Speaker 2: mind and body, and how God meets you with hope 14 00:01:03,600 --> 00:01:06,920 Speaker 2: even in the brightest seasons. Welcome back to your Hope 15 00:01:06,959 --> 00:01:10,000 Speaker 2: Filled Perspective, where it's always our goal to restore hope, 16 00:01:10,200 --> 00:01:13,880 Speaker 2: renew minds, and empower listeners to live in your God 17 00:01:13,920 --> 00:01:18,759 Speaker 2: given identity. I'm your host, doctor Michelle bankson Board, certified 18 00:01:18,800 --> 00:01:26,120 Speaker 2: clinical neuropsychologist, author, speaker, and companion on the journey to mental, emotional, 19 00:01:26,240 --> 00:01:29,520 Speaker 2: and spiritual wellness. I'm so grateful for your joining me 20 00:01:29,640 --> 00:01:32,520 Speaker 2: today for this episode. Today we are going to talk 21 00:01:32,560 --> 00:01:38,000 Speaker 2: about summer's sadness, why depression can spike in summer, and 22 00:01:38,040 --> 00:01:40,840 Speaker 2: how to find hope. We'll dive in right after this 23 00:01:40,920 --> 00:01:50,080 Speaker 2: brief word from our sponsor. Summer often comes with unspoken 24 00:01:50,200 --> 00:01:55,480 Speaker 2: expectation you should be happy right now. Longer days, family gatherings, 25 00:01:55,600 --> 00:02:01,160 Speaker 2: beach trips, and backyard barbecues can amplify joy, or they 26 00:02:01,200 --> 00:02:08,320 Speaker 2: can magnify grief, loneliness, exhaustion, and depression. If summer feels 27 00:02:08,400 --> 00:02:12,600 Speaker 2: heavier instead of lighter, this episode is for you today 28 00:02:12,639 --> 00:02:18,040 Speaker 2: on your Hope Filled Perspective podcast, we're exploring why depression 29 00:02:18,200 --> 00:02:24,000 Speaker 2: can worsen in summer, how emotional, relational, and spiritual factors 30 00:02:24,120 --> 00:02:29,280 Speaker 2: collide during this season, and where to find genuine hope 31 00:02:29,480 --> 00:02:34,720 Speaker 2: when sunshine doesn't necessarily translate into joy. If you've ever 32 00:02:34,760 --> 00:02:39,560 Speaker 2: felt shame for struggling when life looks good, I want 33 00:02:39,600 --> 00:02:43,000 Speaker 2: you to know you are seen, You're not weak, and 34 00:02:43,080 --> 00:02:50,120 Speaker 2: God's presence is not dependent on the season. Let's begin 35 00:02:51,040 --> 00:02:56,960 Speaker 2: by naming something that often goes unspoken for many people. 36 00:02:57,520 --> 00:03:03,520 Speaker 2: Summer is not easier. It's actually harder. We've talked on 37 00:03:03,560 --> 00:03:06,600 Speaker 2: this podcast, and I've written in books and on blog 38 00:03:06,639 --> 00:03:10,800 Speaker 2: posts and in articles about seasonal effective disorder or the 39 00:03:10,840 --> 00:03:14,720 Speaker 2: winter blues or the post holiday blues. So many of 40 00:03:14,800 --> 00:03:19,880 Speaker 2: us are familiar with the experience of some depressive tendencies 41 00:03:20,080 --> 00:03:24,080 Speaker 2: in the dark, gloomy winter, but rarely do we talk 42 00:03:24,120 --> 00:03:29,080 Speaker 2: about experiencing those things during the longest days of the year, 43 00:03:29,360 --> 00:03:33,480 Speaker 2: in the midst of summer. And that can be deeply confusing, 44 00:03:34,120 --> 00:03:38,840 Speaker 2: because when the sun is shining and everyone else seems happier, 45 00:03:39,640 --> 00:03:43,640 Speaker 2: we start asking ourselves questions like what's wrong with me? 46 00:03:44,560 --> 00:03:49,600 Speaker 2: Why can't I just enjoy this? Or why do I 47 00:03:49,640 --> 00:03:54,280 Speaker 2: feel worse when I should feel better. I want to 48 00:03:54,320 --> 00:03:59,520 Speaker 2: say this clearly from the start. Struggling in summer does 49 00:03:59,600 --> 00:04:02,520 Speaker 2: not mean that you are broken. It does not mean 50 00:04:02,640 --> 00:04:06,080 Speaker 2: that your faith is weak, and it does not mean 51 00:04:06,120 --> 00:04:10,720 Speaker 2: that you're failing things like gratitude. In fact, there's a 52 00:04:10,760 --> 00:04:16,680 Speaker 2: well documented phenomenon known as summer pattern depression, or what 53 00:04:17,400 --> 00:04:21,839 Speaker 2: many people call summertime sadness. While seasonal effective disorders most 54 00:04:21,880 --> 00:04:27,000 Speaker 2: commonly associated with winter, research shows that for a significant 55 00:04:27,120 --> 00:04:33,640 Speaker 2: number of people, depressive symptoms actually intensify in the summer months, 56 00:04:34,360 --> 00:04:42,680 Speaker 2: and when we don't talk about it, shame fills the silence. Sotay, 57 00:04:42,839 --> 00:04:47,200 Speaker 2: I want to talk honestly about why depression can spike 58 00:04:47,360 --> 00:04:53,040 Speaker 2: in summer, what's happening in your brain, body and relationships, 59 00:04:53,440 --> 00:04:57,880 Speaker 2: and why faith doesn't make you immune to emotional pain, 60 00:04:58,800 --> 00:05:03,680 Speaker 2: as well as how God offers real hope, not pressure 61 00:05:04,000 --> 00:05:07,920 Speaker 2: in this season that you might be experiencing. Let's talk 62 00:05:07,920 --> 00:05:12,320 Speaker 2: first about the biology of summer depression. Let's start with 63 00:05:12,520 --> 00:05:17,080 Speaker 2: the brain and the body, because depression is not just 64 00:05:17,160 --> 00:05:24,480 Speaker 2: emotional or just spiritual. It's actually biopsychosocial, meaning that it 65 00:05:24,560 --> 00:05:32,720 Speaker 2: involves biology, psychology, and environment. One major factor that can 66 00:05:32,839 --> 00:05:39,240 Speaker 2: contribute to summertime sadness is the circadian rhythm disruption during summer, 67 00:05:39,400 --> 00:05:44,359 Speaker 2: longer daylight hours can interfere with our natural sleep wake cycles. 68 00:05:45,000 --> 00:05:50,080 Speaker 2: Even subtle changes like staying up later, walking earlier, traveling 69 00:05:50,080 --> 00:05:56,400 Speaker 2: across time zones, or inconsistent routines can impact our melotonein production. 70 00:05:57,440 --> 00:06:02,560 Speaker 2: And let's face it, when sleep suffers, mood regulation suffers. 71 00:06:03,560 --> 00:06:07,679 Speaker 2: Sleep deprivation affects the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which 72 00:06:07,720 --> 00:06:13,120 Speaker 2: helps with judgment and emotional regulation. But sleep deprivation also 73 00:06:13,520 --> 00:06:19,280 Speaker 2: affects the amygdala, which processes threat and emotional intensity. So 74 00:06:19,320 --> 00:06:24,160 Speaker 2: when those two systems are disregulated, what we find is 75 00:06:24,200 --> 00:06:35,160 Speaker 2: that frequently anxiety increases, emotional resilience decreases, and depressive symptoms worsen. Now, 76 00:06:35,200 --> 00:06:38,560 Speaker 2: another biological factor that many don't even think about is 77 00:06:38,640 --> 00:06:44,039 Speaker 2: heat sensitivity. Heat increases cortisol, which we know is the 78 00:06:44,080 --> 00:06:49,440 Speaker 2: stress hormone. For individuals already prone to anxiety or depression, 79 00:06:49,839 --> 00:06:56,960 Speaker 2: prolonged heat exposure can heighten irritability, fatigue, and emotional volatility. 80 00:06:57,920 --> 00:07:00,839 Speaker 2: And then, as if that's not an an if there's 81 00:07:01,400 --> 00:07:07,479 Speaker 2: neurotransmitter imbalance. While sunlight is great because it can increase 82 00:07:07,560 --> 00:07:12,800 Speaker 2: serotonin for some people, for others, especially those with mood disorders, 83 00:07:12,960 --> 00:07:18,600 Speaker 2: excess light and heat can contribute to agitation rather than 84 00:07:18,640 --> 00:07:22,600 Speaker 2: a sense of calm. So if you have noticed feeling 85 00:07:22,680 --> 00:07:28,200 Speaker 2: more restless than peaceful, more irritable instead of relaxed, or 86 00:07:28,320 --> 00:07:36,040 Speaker 2: more exhausted instead or despite doing less, that is not 87 00:07:36,160 --> 00:07:40,920 Speaker 2: a moral failure. That is actually your nervous system responding 88 00:07:41,360 --> 00:07:45,120 Speaker 2: to environmental changes. Friends, We're going to take a short 89 00:07:45,120 --> 00:07:48,040 Speaker 2: break for a message from our sponsor, but when we return, 90 00:07:48,160 --> 00:07:52,520 Speaker 2: we'll continue our conversation about summer sadness and address the 91 00:07:52,560 --> 00:08:02,280 Speaker 2: psychological pressures of summer. We'll be right back, all right, 92 00:08:02,400 --> 00:08:06,880 Speaker 2: Let's turn the conversation to address the psychological pressures of summer. 93 00:08:07,480 --> 00:08:15,160 Speaker 2: Beyond biology, summer introduces unique psychological stressors, and one of 94 00:08:15,200 --> 00:08:21,320 Speaker 2: the biggest is expectation pressure. Yes, expectation pressure. Now, if 95 00:08:21,360 --> 00:08:23,480 Speaker 2: you've been following me for any length of time, you 96 00:08:23,560 --> 00:08:25,840 Speaker 2: know that I often talk about this during the holidays 97 00:08:26,160 --> 00:08:32,280 Speaker 2: because those expectations and or unmet expectations can contribute to 98 00:08:32,520 --> 00:08:37,320 Speaker 2: our stress and our struggle with mood, especially during the holidays. 99 00:08:37,840 --> 00:08:38,000 Speaker 3: Now. 100 00:08:38,040 --> 00:08:44,360 Speaker 2: Typically, summer is marketed as the season of happiness, fun, freedom, connection, 101 00:08:45,520 --> 00:08:51,560 Speaker 2: and when our internal experience doesn't match the external narrative, 102 00:08:51,800 --> 00:08:57,120 Speaker 2: we experience cognitive dissonance, a distressing gap between how we 103 00:08:57,160 --> 00:09:02,680 Speaker 2: feel and how we believe we should feel. This often 104 00:09:02,800 --> 00:09:10,040 Speaker 2: leads to self criticism, comparison, and emotional suppression. And my 105 00:09:10,120 --> 00:09:18,160 Speaker 2: friend's social media intensifies this Why Because we see everyone 106 00:09:18,200 --> 00:09:24,760 Speaker 2: else's highlight reels of vacations, family gatherings, and smiling faces, 107 00:09:25,200 --> 00:09:31,320 Speaker 2: and yet often your life feels lonely, painful, or stagnant. 108 00:09:32,320 --> 00:09:38,640 Speaker 2: That contrast alone can deepen despair. Another psychological factor is 109 00:09:38,920 --> 00:09:48,559 Speaker 2: increased unstructured time. For some, summer disrupts routines that provide stability, 110 00:09:48,960 --> 00:09:54,880 Speaker 2: like school schedules, work rhythms, ministry calendars. And while rest 111 00:09:55,000 --> 00:10:00,440 Speaker 2: is important, too much unstructured time can amplify rumination. And 112 00:10:00,480 --> 00:10:04,600 Speaker 2: I remember this pressure when my kids were in school 113 00:10:04,800 --> 00:10:08,880 Speaker 2: and we neared the end of the school year. I 114 00:10:08,960 --> 00:10:11,480 Speaker 2: felt so much pressure to figure out how I was 115 00:10:11,559 --> 00:10:15,360 Speaker 2: going to keep them busy or keep them entertained during 116 00:10:15,400 --> 00:10:19,920 Speaker 2: the summer because they no longer had that routine. Here's 117 00:10:19,960 --> 00:10:24,640 Speaker 2: what it happens in the brain. The mind fills silence 118 00:10:24,800 --> 00:10:31,240 Speaker 2: with unanswered questions like why am I struggling, Why hasn't 119 00:10:31,280 --> 00:10:36,240 Speaker 2: this changed yet? And why does everyone else seem to 120 00:10:36,240 --> 00:10:42,600 Speaker 2: be moving forward. For those who have experienced trauma or loss, 121 00:10:43,280 --> 00:10:48,720 Speaker 2: summer can also bring anniversary reactions memories that are tied 122 00:10:48,800 --> 00:10:56,280 Speaker 2: to specific dates, smells, or activities. You say, grief in 123 00:10:56,360 --> 00:11:00,719 Speaker 2: and of itself doesn't take a vacation. Talk about the 124 00:11:00,840 --> 00:11:07,760 Speaker 2: relational and the spiritual weight of summer. Summer often highlights 125 00:11:08,080 --> 00:11:14,800 Speaker 2: relational pain. Think about it. Holidays, family barbecues, weddings, and 126 00:11:15,120 --> 00:11:22,280 Speaker 2: vacations can magnify feelings of loneliness or estrangement, unmet longing, 127 00:11:22,840 --> 00:11:25,679 Speaker 2: or even anxiety about how people are going to act 128 00:11:25,760 --> 00:11:31,199 Speaker 2: or respond or not act or respond. And if you've 129 00:11:31,320 --> 00:11:37,640 Speaker 2: lost someone, summer can feel painfully loud with reminders of 130 00:11:37,720 --> 00:11:43,720 Speaker 2: what's missing. If your relationships are strained, summer can feel 131 00:11:43,840 --> 00:11:51,360 Speaker 2: isolating rather than connecting spiritually. Summer sadness often triggers false 132 00:11:51,440 --> 00:11:56,720 Speaker 2: conclusions about God. Thoughts like if God was really with me, 133 00:11:57,120 --> 00:12:01,840 Speaker 2: I wouldn't feel this way, or condemning and shameful thoughts 134 00:12:01,920 --> 00:12:07,680 Speaker 2: like I should be more grateful, or comparison, and thoughts 135 00:12:07,720 --> 00:12:13,360 Speaker 2: like others seem so joyful, what's wrong with me? But 136 00:12:13,440 --> 00:12:18,320 Speaker 2: scripture tells a very different story. Elijah, after a great 137 00:12:18,440 --> 00:12:23,800 Speaker 2: spiritual victory, collapsed into despair and asked God to take 138 00:12:23,840 --> 00:12:29,320 Speaker 2: his life. But God did not rebuke him. God fed him, 139 00:12:29,880 --> 00:12:35,240 Speaker 2: God let him sleep, and God meant him gently. That 140 00:12:35,400 --> 00:12:40,520 Speaker 2: really tells us something profound in that God addresses emotional 141 00:12:40,640 --> 00:12:47,160 Speaker 2: suffering with compassion, not condemnation. Now I want to talk 142 00:12:47,200 --> 00:12:51,840 Speaker 2: about what summer depression is not. And first I think 143 00:12:51,880 --> 00:12:55,480 Speaker 2: it's really important that we clear up some damaging myths. 144 00:12:55,880 --> 00:13:00,960 Speaker 2: Summer depression is not a lack of faith. Depression is 145 00:13:01,040 --> 00:13:08,319 Speaker 2: not a failure to trust God. Summer depression is not ingratitude, 146 00:13:08,840 --> 00:13:15,839 Speaker 2: and it is most certainly not weakness. Depression is not 147 00:13:15,880 --> 00:13:20,800 Speaker 2: a spiritual shortcut. It's a complex condition, evolving the brain, 148 00:13:21,400 --> 00:13:26,880 Speaker 2: the nervous system, the body, emotions, as well as our 149 00:13:27,000 --> 00:13:32,640 Speaker 2: lived experiences. Friends, you can love God deeply and still 150 00:13:32,679 --> 00:13:40,400 Speaker 2: feel deeply sad. You can pray faithfully and still need rest, 151 00:13:41,040 --> 00:13:46,880 Speaker 2: support and treatment. The psalms alone are full of people 152 00:13:46,920 --> 00:13:52,400 Speaker 2: who loved God and still cried out in anguish. So remember, 153 00:13:52,760 --> 00:13:57,880 Speaker 2: biblical faith doesn't deny pain. It actually allows us to 154 00:13:58,000 --> 00:14:02,200 Speaker 2: bring our pain into the presence of God. Friends, I 155 00:14:02,240 --> 00:14:04,240 Speaker 2: need to take a real short break for a message 156 00:14:04,280 --> 00:14:07,080 Speaker 2: from our sponsor. But when we return, we'll turn our 157 00:14:07,200 --> 00:14:11,960 Speaker 2: conversation to discussing how to find hope and offer practical, 158 00:14:12,240 --> 00:14:16,720 Speaker 2: gentle steps for managing summer sadness. We'll be right back, 159 00:14:21,200 --> 00:14:25,240 Speaker 2: all right, Let's talk about the practical. Let's talk about 160 00:14:25,680 --> 00:14:31,320 Speaker 2: how to find hope through some gentle steps. Because, as 161 00:14:31,440 --> 00:14:35,240 Speaker 2: someone who has treated thousands of patients with depression and 162 00:14:35,400 --> 00:14:40,080 Speaker 2: someone who has experienced it herself, I'm fully aware that 163 00:14:40,520 --> 00:14:43,520 Speaker 2: when we feel this way, whether it's summer or other 164 00:14:43,600 --> 00:14:46,480 Speaker 2: time of the year need people to be gentle with us, 165 00:14:46,520 --> 00:14:49,800 Speaker 2: and we need to be gentle and compassionate towards ourselves 166 00:14:50,040 --> 00:14:54,120 Speaker 2: because God is. So let's talk about hope not as 167 00:14:54,200 --> 00:15:00,000 Speaker 2: a feeling, but as a practice. First, let's talk about 168 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:07,080 Speaker 2: about restoring rhythm before chasing relief. It's important that we 169 00:15:07,200 --> 00:15:12,960 Speaker 2: prioritize consistent sleep and wake times. We need to prioritize 170 00:15:13,240 --> 00:15:18,120 Speaker 2: regular meals with nutritional food and I know we don't 171 00:15:18,200 --> 00:15:21,960 Speaker 2: talk about it very much on this podcast, but can 172 00:15:22,000 --> 00:15:25,520 Speaker 2: I just remind you that our gut has been found 173 00:15:25,600 --> 00:15:28,400 Speaker 2: to be like a second brain, and many of our 174 00:15:28,480 --> 00:15:33,400 Speaker 2: neurow transmitters are actually replenished in the gut. But when 175 00:15:33,440 --> 00:15:38,920 Speaker 2: we're feeding our gut non nutritive foods, think about those 176 00:15:39,920 --> 00:15:43,240 Speaker 2: processed foods that were created to sit on grocery shelves 177 00:15:43,280 --> 00:15:47,520 Speaker 2: or in our pantries for months or years without going bad. 178 00:15:48,120 --> 00:15:53,440 Speaker 2: That is not helping us to fight things like anxiety, depression, 179 00:15:54,160 --> 00:15:58,800 Speaker 2: heart disease, stress. So I want you to engage in 180 00:15:58,840 --> 00:16:02,240 Speaker 2: regular meals. I also want you to focus on eating 181 00:16:02,280 --> 00:16:10,040 Speaker 2: more nutritive foods. It's also important to prioritize gentle movement. Now, 182 00:16:10,400 --> 00:16:13,280 Speaker 2: whether that is a ten minute walk three times a 183 00:16:13,360 --> 00:16:16,680 Speaker 2: day after each of your meals, or its weight training, 184 00:16:17,360 --> 00:16:21,480 Speaker 2: or it's doing rebounding or even utilizing things like a 185 00:16:21,560 --> 00:16:27,160 Speaker 2: vibration plate. Get out there and move because movement will 186 00:16:27,200 --> 00:16:33,520 Speaker 2: help decrease the cortisol, which helps fuel things like depression, sleep, disturbance, 187 00:16:33,560 --> 00:16:38,280 Speaker 2: that kind of thing. But also prioritize time in the 188 00:16:38,320 --> 00:16:42,040 Speaker 2: shade and cooling environments frinds. What I want you to 189 00:16:42,080 --> 00:16:48,400 Speaker 2: know is that your nervous system heals through predictability. So 190 00:16:48,560 --> 00:16:52,160 Speaker 2: the more you can set yourself up with good, gentle 191 00:16:52,440 --> 00:16:57,960 Speaker 2: daily habits, the better you will feel physically, emotionally, mentally, 192 00:16:58,000 --> 00:17:05,720 Speaker 2: and spiritually. Recommendation is to limit comparison triggers. If social 193 00:17:05,800 --> 00:17:15,199 Speaker 2: media increases your feelings of despair, despondency, isolation, rejection, it 194 00:17:15,320 --> 00:17:20,600 Speaker 2: is not a lack of discipline to step back in actuality. 195 00:17:21,119 --> 00:17:26,400 Speaker 2: Its wisdom. Third, I would recommend that you name what 196 00:17:26,440 --> 00:17:32,400 Speaker 2: you're grieving. Ask yourself what feels missing right now? Ask 197 00:17:32,440 --> 00:17:39,240 Speaker 2: yourself what expectations feel unmet? And ask yourself what loss 198 00:17:39,760 --> 00:17:45,040 Speaker 2: has summer made more visible? You see, when we acknowledge grief, 199 00:17:45,840 --> 00:17:49,040 Speaker 2: it loses some of its power, It loses some of 200 00:17:49,080 --> 00:17:52,480 Speaker 2: its weight, and it loses some of its influence in 201 00:17:52,520 --> 00:17:55,560 Speaker 2: our mind, to heart and our emotions. And the fourth, 202 00:17:56,480 --> 00:18:00,199 Speaker 2: I encourage you to invite God into the honesty, not 203 00:18:00,280 --> 00:18:04,280 Speaker 2: the performance. And keep in mind that as you invite 204 00:18:04,320 --> 00:18:08,040 Speaker 2: God in and you engage in prayerful dialogue with him, 205 00:18:08,200 --> 00:18:12,919 Speaker 2: remember that prayer does not require positivity. It actually requires 206 00:18:12,920 --> 00:18:17,160 Speaker 2: being still in, being in His presence. So maybe when 207 00:18:17,240 --> 00:18:21,920 Speaker 2: prayer might even feel difficult because of summer sadness, consider 208 00:18:21,960 --> 00:18:26,840 Speaker 2: praying something like, God, this feeling, it just feels so 209 00:18:27,119 --> 00:18:31,160 Speaker 2: heavy this season. I don't understand why, but I need 210 00:18:31,200 --> 00:18:36,440 Speaker 2: you here. Friends. That's a holy prayer, that's honest. That's 211 00:18:36,640 --> 00:18:42,320 Speaker 2: taking your raw emotions and your need for God's intervention 212 00:18:42,840 --> 00:18:46,400 Speaker 2: straight to him, and as a loving father, he longs 213 00:18:46,440 --> 00:18:52,240 Speaker 2: to hear from you. And Fifth, please seek support because 214 00:18:52,520 --> 00:18:58,040 Speaker 2: depression thrives in isolation, and healing frequently happens in connection. 215 00:18:59,119 --> 00:19:03,640 Speaker 2: If symptoms for like a low mood or sadness, feelings 216 00:19:03,640 --> 00:19:09,159 Speaker 2: of hopelessness, sleep, disruption, loss of interest, and things that 217 00:19:09,200 --> 00:19:13,000 Speaker 2: you previously enjoyed, please reach out to a trusted professional. 218 00:19:13,480 --> 00:19:17,720 Speaker 2: Seeking help is not a lack of faith, it's stewardship. 219 00:19:18,880 --> 00:19:22,159 Speaker 2: For instance, we close out this episode and want to 220 00:19:22,240 --> 00:19:25,679 Speaker 2: leave you with the following hope Field perspective, God is 221 00:19:25,760 --> 00:19:29,280 Speaker 2: not more present in your bright seasons than in your 222 00:19:29,359 --> 00:19:34,480 Speaker 2: dark ones. In fact, scripture consistently shows God drawing nearer 223 00:19:34,600 --> 00:19:37,920 Speaker 2: to the broken hearted. I hope you'll remember that summer 224 00:19:38,080 --> 00:19:44,040 Speaker 2: sadness does not disqualify you from joy. Summer sadness does 225 00:19:44,200 --> 00:19:49,320 Speaker 2: not disqualify you from joy. And if you're struggling because 226 00:19:49,359 --> 00:19:54,600 Speaker 2: you just don't feel joyful, please go back and listen 227 00:19:54,640 --> 00:19:57,359 Speaker 2: to the episode that we did a couple months ago 228 00:19:57,520 --> 00:20:02,760 Speaker 2: on how to cultivate joy and difficulties. Also, summer sadness 229 00:20:03,320 --> 00:20:07,720 Speaker 2: does not erase God's goodness, and summer sadness does not 230 00:20:08,040 --> 00:20:12,480 Speaker 2: define your future. It simply tells us that your soul 231 00:20:12,840 --> 00:20:16,480 Speaker 2: is asking for care and frience. God listens to that cry. 232 00:20:17,359 --> 00:20:21,000 Speaker 2: And because God listens when we pray, I want to 233 00:20:21,000 --> 00:20:27,320 Speaker 2: pray for you. Lord. You see every listener who feels confused, heavy, 234 00:20:27,960 --> 00:20:31,720 Speaker 2: or ashamed for struggling in this season, and you know 235 00:20:31,920 --> 00:20:35,199 Speaker 2: the biology of their bodies. You created it. You know 236 00:20:35,320 --> 00:20:38,560 Speaker 2: the story of their hearts, and you know the burdens 237 00:20:38,560 --> 00:20:41,720 Speaker 2: that they quietly carry. Would you please, Lord, meet them 238 00:20:41,720 --> 00:20:47,480 Speaker 2: with gentleness, restore their rhythms, quiet their nervous system, replace 239 00:20:47,600 --> 00:20:52,719 Speaker 2: lies with truth and remind them that your presence is 240 00:20:52,760 --> 00:20:58,560 Speaker 2: not seasonal. You are near even now because of and 241 00:20:58,600 --> 00:21:02,040 Speaker 2: in the mighty name of Jesus. Pray Amen friends, thank 242 00:21:02,040 --> 00:21:04,280 Speaker 2: you for spending this time with me on your Hope 243 00:21:04,280 --> 00:21:08,119 Speaker 2: Field Perspective podcast. I hope that there was something in 244 00:21:08,119 --> 00:21:13,040 Speaker 2: today's episode that encouraged you, that motivated you, that gave 245 00:21:13,080 --> 00:21:15,560 Speaker 2: you pause to think about how you might do things differently. 246 00:21:16,280 --> 00:21:19,280 Speaker 2: If today's episode has touched your heart, or you know 247 00:21:19,400 --> 00:21:24,360 Speaker 2: someone who's struggling with sadness in the summertime, please consider 248 00:21:24,440 --> 00:21:27,080 Speaker 2: sharing this episode with a friend who needs a biblically 249 00:21:27,119 --> 00:21:30,520 Speaker 2: based hope Field perspective. I'm looking forward to being with 250 00:21:30,560 --> 00:21:33,560 Speaker 2: you again next week, but in the meantime, it's my 251 00:21:33,720 --> 00:21:37,160 Speaker 2: prayer for you that you have a hope filled week. 252 00:21:38,880 --> 00:21:44,720 Speaker 1: Depression is now our greatest epidemic worldwide, greater than heart disease, cancer, 253 00:21:44,960 --> 00:21:48,399 Speaker 1: and aids all put together. If you have looked for 254 00:21:48,480 --> 00:21:52,080 Speaker 1: help with depression, you have found that there's a scarcity 255 00:21:52,200 --> 00:21:56,840 Speaker 1: of biblically based resources that identifies the spiritual component that 256 00:21:56,880 --> 00:21:59,960 Speaker 1: will actually help with the depression and also will help 257 00:22:00,040 --> 00:22:02,320 Speaker 1: the loved ones who are trying to support the ones 258 00:22:02,400 --> 00:22:06,480 Speaker 1: who are depressed. Over her thirty year career, doctor Benkson 259 00:22:06,520 --> 00:22:09,760 Speaker 1: has treated thousands of individuals with depression and has even 260 00:22:09,800 --> 00:22:13,480 Speaker 1: suffered from it herself. Because of her suffering, she understands 261 00:22:13,520 --> 00:22:16,440 Speaker 1: the need to address the spiritual dimension of depression along 262 00:22:16,480 --> 00:22:20,879 Speaker 1: with the physiological and emotional components. Doctor Benkson has written 263 00:22:21,119 --> 00:22:25,320 Speaker 1: an award winning book, Hope Prevails, Insights from a doctor's 264 00:22:25,359 --> 00:22:28,520 Speaker 1: personal journey through depression. For she shares with us her 265 00:22:28,560 --> 00:22:32,480 Speaker 1: own experiences, and she combines decades of professional expertise in 266 00:22:32,560 --> 00:22:35,800 Speaker 1: mental health with her personal insights so she can help 267 00:22:35,920 --> 00:22:41,080 Speaker 1: us overcome depression. Script Jennifer Strickland, author of Beautiful Lies, 268 00:22:41,480 --> 00:22:44,640 Speaker 1: had this to say about Hope Prevails. Hope Prevails as 269 00:22:44,680 --> 00:22:48,359 Speaker 1: a treasure trove of scripture, music, and medicine for the soul. 270 00:22:48,640 --> 00:22:52,919 Speaker 1: This book shares truth upon truth for anyone encountering the 271 00:22:53,280 --> 00:22:57,120 Speaker 1: obscurity of depression. Is a very important work that should 272 00:22:57,160 --> 00:22:59,879 Speaker 1: be held in the highest regard in any family library. 273 00:23:00,680 --> 00:23:04,879 Speaker 1: Most of all is honest. Michelle genuinely opens up a 274 00:23:04,960 --> 00:23:09,080 Speaker 1: window of her heart, shamelessly revealing her own darkest hours 275 00:23:09,119 --> 00:23:11,600 Speaker 1: in order to shine a light of hope for you 276 00:23:11,640 --> 00:23:15,120 Speaker 1: and me. If you or anyone you love touch even 277 00:23:15,160 --> 00:23:18,560 Speaker 1: the fringe of depression. I highly recommend this work as 278 00:23:18,640 --> 00:23:22,480 Speaker 1: a key doorway to your journey towards joy peace in 279 00:23:22,560 --> 00:23:26,080 Speaker 1: the full life we can have in Christ. Hope Prevails 280 00:23:26,200 --> 00:23:30,600 Speaker 1: is available from Amazon dot com and other fine online retailers, 281 00:23:31,119 --> 00:23:35,080 Speaker 1: or you your website at doctor michellebe dot com. You 282 00:23:35,119 --> 00:23:38,480 Speaker 1: can obtain your copy today and begin your healing journey 283 00:23:38,600 --> 00:23:46,760 Speaker 1: from depression. Thank you for joining doctor banks and to 284 00:23:46,840 --> 00:23:50,360 Speaker 1: your hope build perspective. We hope you are encouraged by 285 00:23:50,359 --> 00:23:55,879 Speaker 1: her authenticity, vulnerability and biblical truths. If you enjoy today's conversation, 286 00:23:56,280 --> 00:23:59,160 Speaker 1: when you take a moment right now, open up your 287 00:23:59,200 --> 00:24:02,240 Speaker 1: podcast app and look for the subscribe button right next 288 00:24:02,280 --> 00:24:05,920 Speaker 1: to our podcast profile image. We think this podcast is best. 289 00:24:05,840 --> 00:24:08,480 Speaker 3: Enjoyed with friends, so tell a friend and click share 290 00:24:08,600 --> 00:24:11,440 Speaker 3: in your podcast app and send a friend our link 291 00:24:11,560 --> 00:24:14,800 Speaker 3: to share Hope with them. If you have a comment, question, 292 00:24:15,119 --> 00:24:17,720 Speaker 3: or suggest a topic for a future show, reach out 293 00:24:17,760 --> 00:24:21,120 Speaker 3: to our staff at info at Hope Prevails dot org. 294 00:24:21,320 --> 00:24:25,960 Speaker 3: For additional resources. Information about doctor Bankson's books where free downloads, 295 00:24:26,240 --> 00:24:29,240 Speaker 3: or to contact her to speak at your next event, 296 00:24:29,520 --> 00:24:34,080 Speaker 3: Please visit doctor Mishelbe dot com. Until next time, May 297 00:24:34,119 --> 00:24:36,000 Speaker 3: you have a hope filledweek. 298 00:24:39,040 --> 00:24:41,480 Speaker 2: I'd like to take just a second to thank the 299 00:24:41,520 --> 00:24:44,480 Speaker 2: team at Life Audio for their partnership with us on 300 00:24:44,520 --> 00:24:47,400 Speaker 2: this podcast. If you go to lifeaudio dot com, you'll 301 00:24:47,480 --> 00:24:51,160 Speaker 2: find dozens of other faith centered podcasts in their network. 302 00:24:51,280 --> 00:24:55,080 Speaker 2: They've got shows about prayer, Bible study, parenting, and more.