Written by Lily Rudd, Intern
When we are in school, the end of summer signifies one dreadful thing: homework.
Maybe you were the kind of kid who loved new school supplies, meeting friends, and having a fresh start. But chances are, some part of you also mourned the end of pool days, sticky ice pop fingers, and later bedtimes.
As adults, while summer’s end doesn’t mean homework, many still feel gloomy as the days get shorter and colder.
Here are five ways to FIGHT that end-of-summer sadness:
👉 Find things to look forward to
👉 Initiate a new routine
👉 Grow a new perspective
👉 Help others
👉 Take care of yourself
🎉 1. Find Things to Look Forward To
You are the one telling your own tale – the end of summer does not have to mean the end of fun!
-
Start a new tradition, like hosting an end-of-summer party.
-
Look forward to seasonal activities like apple orchards or pumpkin patches.
Actively plan activities that will boost your mood as summer closes (PrairieCare, 2024).
🏃 2. Initiate a New Routine
Has there been a workout class you’ve wanted to try? Don’t wait for fall — start now.
Establishing a routine at the end of summer creates continuity and stability that eases the seasonal transition (PrairieCare, 2024).
🔄 3. Grow a New POV
Reframe change as an exciting challenge you are equipped to handle.
Research shows that when we see stress as excitement, we do better in new situations. The end of summer can be a fresh start (PrairieCare, 2024).
🤝 4. Help Others
Acts of service release dopamine → reducing stress, boosting positive feelings, and promoting relaxation (Thoreson, 2023).
-
Volunteer in your community
-
Form new friendships
-
Counteract those “summer-is-over” blues
😴 5. Take Care of Yourself
-
Hot nights may disrupt sleep, but don’t fall behind — better sleep = better mental health (Scott et al., 2021).
-
Limit social media scrolling. Comparing your summer to others’ steals joy (PrairieCare, 2024).
Be mindful of the present. FIGHTing the end-of-summer scaries doesn’t mean ignoring gratitude for the season you’re in.
📚 Works Cited
Scaringi, V. (2024). Tips for easing “The End of Summer Scaries.” Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/body-acceptance/202408/tips-for-easing-the-end-of-summer-scaries
Scott, A., Webb, T., Martyn-St. James, M., Rowse, G., Weich, S. (2021). Improving sleep quality leads to better mental health: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2021.101556
Thoreson, A. (2023). Helping people, changing lives: 3 health benefits of volunteering. Mayo Clinic Health System. https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/3-health-benefits-of-volunteering
PrairieCare. (2024). 10 tips to cope with the end-of-summer scaries. PrairieCare. https://prairie-care.com/resources/type/blog/end-of-summer-scaries