Sunshine Guilt: The Pressure To Enjoy Good Weather

Have you ever stayed inside doing nothing on a sunny day and felt a little bit guilty? You’re not alone and there’s a term for it – sunshine guilt. It’s got a lot to do with societal and personal pressures to be active to take advantage of great weather, but why does it happen? And how can we manage it?

There are a few factors that go into why we experience sunshine guilt. Here's an explanation. 

• Societal Expectations: Society puts a bit of pressure on us; sunny weather is linked to opportunities for outdoor activities like barbecues, picnics, a day at the beach or just a social gathering with friends.  

• Social Media Influence: We’re sure you’ve heard of FOMO (fear of missing out) and part of sunshine guilt is seeing others on social media enjoying the sunshine! This can intensify our feelings of FOMO and make us feel bad for not taking advantage of the good weather.

• Productivity & Rest: Even if you’re stuck at your desk at work, if it’s a sunny day you can still experience sunshine guilt even though you’re being productive in other ways. The same goes when you’re sick and need to stay indoors to rest – the weather stops for no one! And it’s easy to feel like you’re the only one missing out. 

There are a few ways you can navigate sunshine guilt, let us break it down for you.

• Self-Compassion: Recognise that it’s okay to prioritise your needs or even just your preferences over societal expectations. You don’t need a reason to stay inside! If that’s what you’d prefer, don’t feel bad about it, we all have our likes and dislikes.

• Find A Balance: If the sunshine guilt has got you good, go for a little walk – at least you enjoyed some of the sunshine!

• Mindfulness: Practice mindfulness to stay present and appreciate what you’re doing, even if it’s just watching TV! This can help alleviate some of the guilt. We also recommend creating a self-care routine, it’s a form of mindfulness and will enhance your overall wellbeing.

• Plan Ahead: The weather forecast isn’t always reliable but if you’re a chronic sunshine guilt sufferer then plan outdoor activities in advanced according to the weather. 

Sunshine guilt is common! You just need to understand that it’s okay to prioritise your wellbeing or simple desire to stay indoors, no matter what the weather looks like. Be gentle with yourself and find a good balance to alleviate sunshine guilt and the FOMO it induces.