Temperatures may vary, but Mother Nature is doing what she does so magically, and I’ve got my first broody hen of the year, disgruntled at being disturbed on her nest. Yes, summer is approaching.

For many people this time of year brings relief and an end to the darkness of the long winter months. Long, light evenings, warmth, time outdoors, a sense of energy and growth returning.

Since moving to Northumberland, the awe of nature at this time of year feels undeniable. It is heart-achingly beautiful, nature’s own immersive experience. Yet the very long days have also helped me understand that what I once saw as a quirk, is my nervous system responding to prolonged daylight length.

As our dark night skies in the Northeast become less defined from late May onwards, I notice the change physically and emotionally. The loss of clear darkness can feel surprisingly unnerving and dysregulating.

It’s a sensory and significant change that may be overlooked.

I’ve always joked about my love of autumn and winter, is it OK to say Christmas in May? I intentionally section off my Filofax diary insert to count down to September. And since my recent AuDHD diagnosis I’ve become more aware that this may not simply be preference or personality; it’s instinctive and protective.

We can enjoy aspects of summer and still feel what I would describe as vulnerable, with less shadow time.

You may notice that sleep becomes lighter and less restorative. I notice that my mind struggles to fully settle and be at ease. Time itself can begin to feel oddly stretched and undefined. And with that can come increased sensory overwhelm, reduced executive functioning, and a subtle feeling of never quite powering down.

Polyvagal Theory helps us understand that the nervous system is constantly responding to cues from the environment. Light is one of those cues.

Darkness is not simply the absence of light. It signals transition, containment, slowing, repair and rest. Our circadian rhythms, hormones, body temperature and sleep cycles all respond to these environmental changes.

For some individuals, particularly those living with trauma histories, chronic stress, heightened sensitivities, burnout, or neurodivergence, including ADHD and autism, prolonged daylight and reduced evening darkness may feel harder to regulate around.

If your body seems out of step with those around you, you’re not too sensitive or in any way wrong. Your nervous system is responding to its environment and your physiology is changing.

If, like me, you sense that you would appreciate a space to seek refuge and comfort from the long daylight hours, you could try diffusing natural light with shutters or blinds and place an amber lamp light at your seated horizon level.

To feel is not a weakness and to meet your needs is wise. These small signals can gently tell your body the day is ending, when the outside world can’t be relied on.

I love what summer brings; it’s a time of hope and growth and a showcase of the magnificence of the natural world, highlighting why it is precious and needs our support — from birds in the sky to grass underfoot.

The seasons in the UK are precious; we can work with them by understanding what our unique nervous systems need to feel regulated and more in tune with these natural rhythms.

With kindness,

Jayne

If you’d like to discover how I can support you, please get in touch, you’ll be warmly welcomed. You can also sign up to my seasonal newsletter, Nourish, as we explore the wonders of our nervous system, together.