Welcome to Summer: The Season Of Change

With the warming temperatures and school bells on mute, summer is often a major time of change for most. Individuals are likely to experience mental health changes, physical changes, and life changes in the next few months. Sound like you or a loved one? Here’s what we can keep in mind for a smoother transition.

For the children in your life, summer can be an exciting time of year. They say goodbye to the end of one grade and they wait for the start of the next. Summer is also often the time where they have a lighter schedule and can participate more in preferred activities like camps and hobbies. Yet, summer can be a hard for many adolescents to feel fulfilled because of a sharp shift in schedule and quick change in resources. Many kids have trouble staying socially connected during the summer break. Others may feel they have difficulties with inconsistency of not seeing many of the same people daily.  We do well on a similar schedule with events to look forward to.

Suggestion: create continued social opportunities for them to be in contact with friends. Encourage similar daily schedules to help them know what’s next. Allow for time for them to try something out of the ordinary.

Taking a daily outdoor walk to notice nature can help ground us

Just like with children, adults can notice changes in the warmer months as well. With longer and warmer days, appetite and sleep can be affected. People tend to speak of more energy and a better mood during summer. However, as a whole, it can be harder for many to get adequate sleep during this time of year because the home is warmer. Similarly, many have a lighter appetite during heat waves.

Suggestion: Try to keep the home cooler in the evening and eat some nutrient enriched snacks if you notice your appetite waning. Lastly, when the weather is appropriate, take advantage of the longer days of natural light to move your body and eat more meals outside. ​

As fall starts to approach again, it can be helpful to notice the wins and keep them going. This transitional tool can help bridge any gaps in-between the seasons. For instance, if a post dinner walk is helpful to you in summer, try to take a walk in the fall before it gets too dark. These tips may appear small on the surface but it can be the smaller wins that lead to the biggest mood impact.

Suggestion: Notice tendencies during transition times within yourself and your family. Bring awareness what needs to change and what has been a win.  We can welcome these transitions by incorporating them into family discussions. What is a rose (a positive), a thorn (hardship) and a seed (opportunity for growth) during this time frame.  ​

For more information and resources, I suggest reaching out to a local therapist or primary care physician to discuss specific options tailored to your unique health needs and regional resources.


Stay well,

Author

Megan Bowling, M.A., LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  She has been in the mental health field for more than ten years and is passionate to share mental health wellness strategies. ​