Most people look forward to summer: longer days, warm evenings, and a chance to relax. But if you find yourself feeling uneasy or stressed as the season approaches, you’re not alone.
Some adults don’t tolerate heat well or actually prefer the colder months. Others don’t enjoy typical summer activities like crowded beaches or social gatherings. Even small changes—like switching out wardrobes, pulling out patio furniture, or swapping heavy blankets for lighter ones—can feel overwhelming.
For many, summer also highlights difficult realities: if your routine doesn’t change, if you can’t take time off, or if you don’t participate in the usual “summer fun,” questions like “How’s your summer?” can trigger feelings of isolation or anxiety.
Admitting these feelings can be hard, especially when summer is expected to be carefree. But summer anxiety is real—and understanding it can help you manage it.
What Causes Summer Anxiety?
While summer is often linked with ease, several factors can increase anxiety during this season:
1. Physical Discomfort and Sensory Overload
Heat and humidity can be physically draining and disrupt sleep, worsening anxiety. If you prefer cooler weather, summer can feel particularly challenging.
2. Routine Changes or Lack Thereof
Some people experience disrupted routines during summer (kids home, vacations, social plans). Others have no change at all and may feel isolated or left behind as others relax.
3. Social Expectations and Pressure
There’s an unspoken expectation to enjoy social events and outdoor activities. If socializing feels draining or unappealing, this pressure can increase stress.
4. Seasonal Transitions and Small Stressors
Tasks like changing wardrobes, bedding, or outdoor equipment can trigger subtle anxiety. These shifts may seem minor but can impact emotional balance.
5. Body Image and Appearance Concerns
Warmer weather often means more skin exposure and more self-consciousness, which can lead to increased anxiety or avoidance.
6. Planning and Social Overwhelm
Vacations and events, though enjoyable for some, can create stress due to logistics and social demands—especially for those with social anxiety or perfectionism.
7. Feeling Out of Sync With the Season
If you’re not taking time off or enjoying typical summer activities, questions about your summer can feel isolating or anxiety-provoking.
What Summer Anxiety Can Feel Like
Summer anxiety isn’t always loud or dramatic. Often, it’s subtle and persistent. You might notice:
• A vague sense of unease or irritability
• Trouble sleeping or feeling mentally foggy
• Increased self-consciousness around others
• Avoidance of social invitations or seasonal events
• Feeling guilty for not enjoying the season
• Heightened sensitivity to noise, heat, or change
These experiences are valid. You don’t have to ignore them or explain them away.
How Therapy Can Help
As a therapist who specializes in anxiety, I work with adults who feel overwhelmed by internal pressure, external expectations, or seasonal transitions. If summer brings up more discomfort than ease, therapy can help you understand why—and what to do about it.
In our work together, we can:
• Identify the specific stressors that summer brings up for you
• Develop realistic, supportive routines—even when schedules shift or stay static
• Build tools to regulate anxiety without relying on avoidance
• Explore creative approaches to process feelings that are hard to put into words
• Reduce the guilt or shame tied to “not loving summer”
You don’t have to force yourself to enjoy something that doesn’t feel good. And you don’t have to pretend everything is fine if it isn’t. Therapy offers a space to be honest with yourself—and to find ways of moving through this season that feel more grounded, spacious, and sustainable.
You’re Not the Only One
Summer anxiety is more common than people realize. If you’re someone who feels uneasy, unseen, or out of sync this time of year, there’s nothing wrong with you. There’s just something here worth listening to.
You don’t need to push through it or stay silent. With the right kind of support, you can feel more in control of how you experience this season—and more connected to yourself along the way.
I work with adults managing anxiety, seasonal stress, and life transitions. If this sounds familiar, I’d be glad to talk with you.
