How to Manage End-of-Summer Stress
- Kristin Kurian
- Aug 17, 2025
- 2 min read
Summer is often thought of as a season of freedom—long days, warm nights, vacations, and time to recharge. But as August winds down and fall looms closer, many teens and young adults notice a shift. Instead of feeling rested, you might find yourself stressed, restless, or even a little sad. This end-of-summer stress is more common than you might think, and with the right tools and support, it can be managed in a healthy way.
Why the End of Summer Can Feel Stressful
Transitions are hard, even when they’re predictable. The change from summer to fall brings a mix of excitement and pressure:
Back-to-school preparations can trigger anxiety about academics, social situations, or simply adjusting to a new schedule.
Changes in routine after weeks of flexibility can feel overwhelming.
Shorter days and less sunlight can affect mood and energy levels.
Unfinished summer goals, like trips you didn’t take or projects left incomplete, can leave you feeling disappointed or behind.
These factors make the end of summer a season where seasonal stress management becomes especially important.
Practical Coping Strategies
While you can’t stop summer from ending, you can make this transition smoother. Here are some practical ways to reduce stress:
Ease back into routines – Start adjusting your sleep schedule, study habits, or work rhythms gradually instead of all at once.
Set realistic goals – Instead of focusing on what didn’t get done this summer, shift your attention to what feels manageable this fall.
Prioritize self-care – Build in small moments of calm, whether that’s journaling, walking outdoors, or practicing mindfulness exercises.
Practice grounding skills – Simple tools from DBT, like paced breathing or the 5-4-3-2-1 sensory exercise, can help calm anxious thoughts in the moment.
Check in with your parts – From an Internal Family Systems (IFS) lens, notice which parts of you feel anxious, disappointed, or pressured, and gently acknowledge them without judgment.
These strategies help anchor you during times of change and can lessen the intensity of end-of-summer stress.
How Therapy Can Help
Even with healthy coping strategies, seasonal transitions can still feel heavy. That’s where therapy can make a real difference.
Therapy offers:
A safe space to explore what’s driving your stress.
Tools for stress relief and emotion regulation.
Support in building resilience so seasonal changes feel less overwhelming in the future.
An opportunity to learn IFS and DBT techniques tailored to your unique needs.
Whether it’s learning how to calm anxious thoughts, strengthening your relationship with yourself, or finding balance in a new routine, therapy for stress relief can help you feel more grounded during this transition.
Call to Action
If you’ve been noticing end-of-summer stress weighing on you, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Therapy can help you move through seasonal transitions with more ease, self-compassion, and resilience.
👉 Schedule a free consultation today to see how therapy can support you as you step into fall with confidence.
