Sleeping in, no homework, no exams, and endless free time. Isn’t summer just the best? Summer break can be a time of rest and relaxation, allowing students to decompress from their stressful semesters. However, despite its great reputation, summer break can bring mental health challenges to college students returning home. Many students may feel a loss of independence and routine when changing environments. Students must also navigate family dynamics and shifts in their social life. Here are six tips to help overcome these challenges and prioritize your mental health.
1. Build a routine
While it may be tempting to ditch a routine altogether after a rigid class schedule, structure can benefit your mood, energy, and health. Rather than waking up at noon, skipping meals, and scrolling on social media all day, try to build a routine and stick to it. Remaining consistent in your meal times, sleep schedule, and daily activities will only aid your well-being this summer.
2. Stay active! Go outside!
Many students may not realize how active they are at school. If you walk to class, you easily get in thousands of steps a day and spend time outdoors. While at home, try to prioritize daily physical activity to avoid feeling sluggish and anxious. A neighborhood walk, quick swim, or workout can go a long way. Exercise releases endorphins, a hormone that acts as a natural mood booster. Therefore, staying active can promote a better mood as well as lessen stress, anxiety, and depression.
3. Rest, rest, rest
Though it is important to remain active, taking time to rest during the day is essential. Picking up old hobbies, reading a book, or watching your favorite show are relaxing activities that will help you recharge. Allow yourself to take a break this summer.
4. Connect with friends
Summer is the perfect time to reconnect with old friends and continue building relationships with new ones. Reach out to childhood and high school friends who make you feel loved and supported. Planning times to see or talk to those people regularly will help to maintain that bond. This could look like having weekly coffee with a friend from high school or calling an old friend every few days. Similarly, it is important to maintain new friendships from college. Even if the only way to communicate is virtually, it is still important to connect with those friends. Having strong social support at home will help improve mental well-being and make the summer transition a little easier.
5. Communicate your needs with your family
For many, it is difficult to return home and navigate family dynamics in person. To reduce the likelihood of family conflict and maintain a sense of independence, talk to your family about your needs. Whether that be some alone time, time with friends, or personal space, try to remain open with them. Listening to each other and understanding one another’s boundaries and expectations helps to create a more peaceful summer break.
6. Check in on yourself!
Throughout summer, check in on yourself and your mental well-being. Journaling, meditation, and reflecting on your emotions can help you understand the state of your mental health. Checking in will allow you to determine what is needed to improve that state. Your mental health matters all year long.
Coming home for summer can be both relaxing and challenging. Understanding the needs of your body and mind will help you to maximize the experience, making summer break truly relaxing, restful, and enjoyable.
If you or your child is struggling with the transition to their summer break, our clinicians at Georgetown Psychology are here to help every step of the way.
