An increase in Vitamin D, relaxed responsibilities, and an increase in social interaction can often make people feel really good. With an improvement in mood, it’s tempting to back off from tasks that feel too structured or serious, including therapy appointments. Staying consistent with therapy through the good times is more important than many think, though. Regular therapy appointments:

• Build on past progress
• Provide a safe space for reflection
• Keep goals on track
• Provide accountability
• Reinforce positive changes
• Help detect issues early

The relationship with your therapist will grow and strengthen over time, and consistent appointments help deepen that trust. The therapy itself is much the same, each appointment building on the last as emotions are sifted through and skills are learned. Think of it in the context of a physical goal. If you run every day and finally beat your personal record, you can’t stop running the next day and expect to reach that same goal a year later. You’d be back at the start, working your way back step by step. No one wants to turn down summer fun to make it to an appointment, but what if you didn’t have to? Fortunately, there are now ways to stay on track with therapy without it putting a damper on your summer plans.

While summer conjures up cheerful imagery, the reality is that it’s not an instant mood-booster for everyone. In fact, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), most commonly discussed in the context of winter, also exists for some individuals during the summertime. Extended daylight, heat, humidity, and social pressures can compound to increase anxiety or exacerbate other mental health symptoms. Other summer-related mental health challenges can include:

Disrupted Sleep Schedules

The longer days of summer are good for fun activities, not so great for sleep. The extended hours of daylight can throw off the body’s natural circadian rhythm, leading to late nights and even insomnia. Students no longer bound by school start times and deadlines may find themselves staying up late and sleeping late, creating a summer sleep schedule that will be difficult to transition out of once school starts again.

Social Anxiety

Social anxiety doesn’t disappear just because the sun is shining brighter. Summer brings plans, events, and expectations. Anxiety appears when those expectations aren’t met, plans fall through, or the invitation never comes. Even attending events can bring stress, with pressure to have fun and stay active even when your mood doesn’t match the vibe. There are also the matters of body image concerns, financial strain, and anxiety about being around crowds.

Loneliness or Isolation

Many young people cultivate a strong social circle in school, one that doesn’t always extend into summer. Age, transportation, and planned summer obligations can all hinder social interaction, at least to the level some would prefer or are used to. Combine that with social media highlights that make it seem like everyone else is having the perfect summer and it’s not hard to see why some people find themselves feeling isolated and lonely.

Loss of School Year Routine

Some people thrive on routine, and summer can rip that right out from under us. Students who are used to a strict daily routine now have idle time to fill and a disrupted sleep pattern. Parents switch from school-mode to summer-mode, with children home throughout the day with different needs. That abrupt change can take a bit of getting used to, creating stress through the transition.

Increased Parenting Stress

Of course parents love having their children home more often, but there is no denying it can come with added stress. For younger children, there’s the matter of childcare. Then there’s time to fill, pressure to entertain, rides to give, more food to buy, activities to pay for… the list goes on. Summer is a great time for family bonding and connection, but there’s still plenty for parents to think – and stress – about.