For many people, summer is the season they look forward to the most. The weather is warmer, people typically spend more time outside, and families tend to book vacations during this time. For children, this means an end to school and a much needed break from expectations and responsibilities; and for adults, this can mean summer schedules and reduced or slower workflows. Although summer may be a time of relaxation, it also brings stress for many people as summer is also a time of transition. For families, this transition is associated with changes in their day-to-day routines; children no longer being in school, college students returning home from school, and adults having to balance all of these changes with work and vacation schedules. If you are struggling with this transition, then you are not alone! There are several things you can do to ease yourself and your family into this transition.
For Parents:
Maintain as much routine and structure as possible. It may be challenging to maintain the same routine and structure as you do when school is in session, but it can be beneficial to maintain the same mealtimes and bedtimes. This will allow children to understand the expectations for the summer, which will likely result in more cooperation from them, and thus less stress for you.
Schedule as many activities or plans as you can. This may involve activities to do that day or over the weekend (going to the park or to the pool), setting time aside to visit family (evening dinners), or booking formal vacations (where travel is involved). By giving yourself time to plan activities ahead of time, children can look forward to something and you do not have to stress about deciding on an activity at the last minute.
Get outside as much as possible. Children are accustomed to exerting most of their daily energy during the school day. It can be beneficial for children to spend large portions of the summer day outside exerting their daily energy, which will make the mealtime and bedtime transition much easier. Similarly, as an adult, you also need a break from screens and meetings. It can be beneficial for your mental wellbeing and body to take a break and go outside for air or a walk!
Find support from family or the community. It is okay to need a break from your children and allow yourself to relax after a long day of working. Ask family members or hire babysitters to come over and watch your children. If these are not available to you, then inviting friends over with or without children can also offer you support.
For High School & College Students:
Get some much needed rest. The school year is generally filled with classes, athletics, internships, or other sorts of experiences. This can build long-term stress. It is important for both high school and college students to use the summer as a time to alleviate this stress and focus on positive mindsets and healthy daily living activities. Balance your schedule with fun, interactive, or engaging activities.
Stay connected with your friends. For high school students, this could be your last summer at home before you leave for college. It is common for students to lose touch with their friends; however, maintaining communication during the summer can help maintain these relationships and can minimize social loneliness at the end of the summer. For college students who return home for the summer, it can be easy to lose touch with people you are used to seeing every week. It is important to maintain the strength of these friendships through the summer, where distance can create a barrier.
Stay physically active. Students are active and busy during the school year, whether it is formal engagement in sports, doing activities with friends, or walking to class every day. When home for the summer, it is important for college students to keep activity as part of their routine. This is helpful for health, mental wellbeing, and overall functioning.
Get an internship or work experience. The summer can be a good time to get a job! Internships or work experiences can build your interest in careers, bolsters your resume, and helps you save money for the next school year. When students obtain internships or work experiences, they can also enhance their financial literacy, attitudes towards money, and financial decisions.
At Restorative Psychological Services, we can help you figure out your summer transition! Psychotherapy is a good place to get started with a plan as well as to work through additional stressors that could be added as summer progresses.
For more information, please visit these resources:
Arky, B. (January, 2023). Strategies for a successful summer break: Tips for managing your kids’ downtime to help make it relaxing for every. Child Mind Institute. https://childmind.org/article/strategies-for-a-successful-summer-break/
Bland, H. W., Melton, B. K., Welle, P., & Bigham, L. (2012). Stress tolerance: New challenges for millennial college students. College Student Journal, 46(2), 362-375. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A297135954/AONE?u=aadistxxxx&sid=googleScholar&xid=ea3d2888
Oswald, D. L., & Clark, E. M. (2003). Best friends forever? High school best friendships and the transition to college. Journal of the International Association for Relationship Research, 10(2), 187-196. https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6811.00045
Park, K.-S., & Lee, M.-G. (2015). Effects of summer school participation and psychosocial outcomes on changes in body composition and physical fitness during summer break. Journal of Exercise, Nutrition, and Biochemistry, 19(2), 81-90. https://doi.org/10.5717/jenb.2015.15052005Shim, S., Barber, B. L., Card, N. A., Xiao, J. J., & Serido, J. (2010). Financial socialization of first-year college students: The role of parents, work, and education. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 39, 1457-1470. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-009-9432-x
