Why Summer Makes You Feel Anxious — Heat, FOMO & Breaking Routine Explained
When Summer Feels Anything But Relaxing
Summer is supposed to be the season of ease—slower schedules, vacations, and long sunny days. But if you’ve noticed that you actually feel more anxious, ungrounded, or emotionally off during summer, you’re not imagining it.
Many high-functioning women feel increasingly dysregulated during this time of year. And it’s not because something is wrong with you—it’s your nervous system reacting to real (and often invisible) stressors.
Let’s break down why summer can make you feel on edge—and what you can do to support yourself.
The Science: Heat, Cortisol, and Anxiety
Your body isn’t just responding to external events—it’s responding to temperature.
Research shows that heat can trigger a stress response in the brain, increasing levels of cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone. When cortisol levels rise, you might feel:
More irritable
Restless or anxious
Prone to emotional outbursts
Less tolerant of discomfort or noise
In fact, studies have shown that emergency room visits for mental health concerns spike on the hottest days. This is especially true for people already managing anxiety, PTSD, or burnout—your nervous system may already be working overtime.
Real-Life Summer Stressors You Might Not Be Noticing
Even if you’re not dealing with sweltering heat, summer introduces other sneaky stressors that can leave your system feeling unsettled:
1. A Sudden Loss of Structure
If you’re someone who thrives on routine and productivity (hello, high-functioning overachiever), summer can feel destabilizing. Between vacations, schedule changes, and childcare disruptions, your once-steady routine may vanish overnight—leaving you overstimulated and unanchored.
2. FOMO and the Pressure to Enjoy Every Moment
Summer comes with an unspoken pressure to feel good, be social, travel, and “make the most of it.” But if you’re emotionally exhausted or managing trauma, this pressure can backfire—creating guilt, shame, or the sense that you’re “wasting” your time.
3. Comparison on Social Media
It’s hard not to compare your life to the highlight reels of others during summer. Whether it’s vacation photos, beach days, or posts about family time, social media can intensify feelings of inadequacy or loneliness—especially if you're already feeling disconnected from yourself.
Grounding Tools to Calm Your System (Even in Summer)
The good news: you can regulate your nervous system—even when summer throws your rhythms off. Here are trauma-informed tools I use with clients at Salty Counseling:
1. Rebuild Micro-Routines
You don’t need a full 9–5 structure to feel grounded. Create anchor points throughout your day:
Morning or bedtime rituals
Scheduled movement breaks (a walk, stretch, or cold rinse)
Set meal or hydration times
These small touchpoints help remind your body: You’re safe. You’re steady.
2. Practice Mindful Transitions
Summer often blurs the lines between activities. Add intention to transitions:
Take 3 deep breaths before entering a social event
Light a candle at the end of the workday
Use music to shift your mood between rest and movement
These cues help your nervous system shift gears gently.
3. Try Somatic Techniques for Regulation
Somatic practices help you reconnect with your body when you feel disconnected, shut down, or overstimulated. A few simple options:
Orienting: slowly scan the room and name 5 things you see
Tapping: gently tap your arms or chest to reestablish presence
Grounding: place your feet flat on the floor and feel their weight
At Salty Counseling, I also use EMDR therapy to help clients reprocess the deeper roots of emotional dysregulation—so you’re not just coping, but actually healing.
If You’re Feeling Off This Summer, You’re Not Alone
You’re not lazy. You’re not behind. Your nervous system might just be in need of more care than usual—and that’s okay.
If you’re ready to stop pushing through and start healing from the inside out, therapy can help. Whether you're dealing with summer burnout, anxiety, or old trauma resurfacing, you don’t have to navigate it alone.
Salty Counseling offers trauma-informed therapy in Salt Lake City and online across Utah.
Specialties include EMDR, anxiety therapy, and somatic approaches for high-functioning women.
Ready to Feel Like Yourself Again?
Let’s talk.
Book your free 20-minute consultation →
