Maximize Your Mental Health This Summer: 5 Ways to Feel Better, Connect More, and Slow Down
Summer brings longer days, warmer weather, and often, a shift in routine. It’s the perfect time to pause, reassess, and find small but meaningful ways to support your mental health. Whether you're craving more rest, more connection, or more time outdoors, summer offers opportunities to nourish your well-being in simple, satisfying ways. Here are five ideas to help you maximize your mental health this summer:
1. Play Outside Like You Did When You Were a Kid
Remember how good it felt to ride your bike, jump in a lake, or just lie in the grass and stare at the clouds? Play isn’t just for kids—it’s a powerful way to reduce stress, increase joy, and reconnect with the present moment. Try to carve out time each week to do something outside that feels fun or lighthearted: go for a hike, join a pickup game, swim in open water, or plant something in your garden.
Therapist Tip: Even 15 minutes of outdoor play can lower your cortisol levels and boost your mood. Make it a regular practice—not just a once-a-summer thing.
2. Plan Time Away—Even if It’s Just a Day
A vacation doesn’t have to be a grand trip to be meaningful. A change in scenery, even for a day or a weekend, can help reset your nervous system and give your brain a break from daily stressors. Whether it's a full-fledged road trip or a day unplugged at a local beach, taking intentional time away can make a big difference.
Therapist Tip: If you can’t get away, try a “staycation” where you treat your home like a retreat. That might mean turning off your phone, trying new recipes, reading for hours, or exploring your town like a tourist.
3. Connect with People Who Fill You Up
Summer can be a great time to reconnect—with old friends, extended family, or even your partner. Use the season’s social energy to strengthen relationships that support your mental health. Meet a friend for a walk, host a backyard barbecue, or set up regular "friend dates" to stay in touch.
Therapist Tip: Pay attention to how you feel after spending time with someone. Prioritize the relationships that leave you feeling seen, supported, and energized.
4. Create a Summer Ritual
Routines can help regulate mood, but in summer, they can feel stifling if they’re too rigid. A summer ritual is a flexible, intentional habit that brings you joy or calm. Maybe it’s Sunday morning coffee on the porch, a weekly family walk, or a solo sunset beach visit. The point isn’t productivity—it’s presence.
Therapist Tip: Think of your ritual as an anchor for your week. Let it be something that’s just for you, and not tied to a specific goal or outcome.
5. Slow Down and Savor
Summer has a different pace—if you let it. Try to resist the pressure to fill every moment with plans. Instead, give yourself permission to slow down. Eat slowly, linger in conversation, watch the stars. Notice what it feels like to be unhurried.
Therapist Tip: Slowing down is not laziness—it’s a practice of nervous system regulation and self-compassion. Make space for rest without guilt.
Final Thoughts:
Maximizing your mental health this summer doesn’t mean you need to overhaul your life. Small shifts—toward more play, more connection, and more presence—can add up to something meaningful. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to start, therapy can help you explore what you need most right now.