The Surprising Mood and Mental Health Effects of Summer

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Summer, the season of open skies, barefoot evenings, and sun-warmed memories, often feels like a breath of freedom after the long stillness of winter. But beyond the change in scenery and seasonal traditions, there’s a deeper transformation taking place. One that unfolds not only around us, but within us. The rising temperatures, extended daylight, and sensory cues of summer don’t just shape our routines; they subtly reshape our minds, moods, and emotional well-being. Much like nostalgia, which draws upon the emotional coloring of our past, summer brings a kind of environmental nostalgia in real time, a sensory shift that evokes energy, memory, and emotion with surprising intensity.

As early as the 1980s, psychologists began to study how weather impacts mood and behavior (Gillihan et al., 2011). Since then, evidence has continued to show that the seasons influence our brain chemistry in measurable ways. When summer arrives, our exposure to sunlight increases dramatically, stimulating a rise in serotonin levels is one of the key neurotransmitters associated with feelings of happiness, focus, and emotional stability (Lambert et al., 2002). This physiological change, brought on by UV exposure and longer days, doesn’t just lift our mood; it alters how we process emotion, interact socially, and even regulate sleep. Circadian rhythms, the internal clock that governs our wake and sleep cycles, are closely tied to light exposure. As sunlight increases, our bodies naturally adjust, often resulting in improved sleep quality and heightened energy throughout the day (WebMD, n.d.).

But the psychological impact of summer isn’t solely about chemicals and sleep cycles, it’s also about the subtle shift in how we relate to ourselves and the world. With school breaks, vacations, and longer evenings, summer creates space for novelty and connection. The environment itself becomes more inviting: beaches, trails, patios, and neighborhood porches transform into spaces for interaction. And in those interactions, whether it’s spontaneous laughter with friends, a late-night drive with the windows down, or simply a walk under a canopy of fireflies, we often find ourselves more open to emotional engagement. This increase in social activity has clear mental health benefits. Research consistently shows that connection is one of the strongest protective factors against anxiety, depression, and stress-related illnesses (Melrose, 2015). In summer, we’re often more inclined to seek that connection and to savor it.

However, it’s important to recognize that summer’s brightness does not universally equate to emotional ease. While many people experience a seasonal boost, there are others for whom the heat, social pressure, or disrupted routines bring discomfort or distress. Summer depression, though less common than its winter counterpart, is a recognized subtype of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Unlike winter SAD, which is linked to light deficiency, summer-onset SAD is often associated with heat intolerance, insomnia, irritability, and feelings of isolation. For individuals already struggling with body image issues, the social emphasis on appearance during summer months can also contribute to emotional strain. As psychologist Norman Rosenthal explains, seasonal changes impact people differently based on individual neurobiology, making it essential to listen to your own rhythms rather than conforming to seasonal expectations (Melrose, 2015).

This duality, where one season can be both healing and heavy, mirrors the emotional complexity of nostalgia itself. Just as a familiar song can bring warmth and sorrow at once, the summer air can hold both celebration and overwhelm. What matters most is how we respond to the shift. Embracing the psychological power of summer means paying attention to how we’re feeling, adjusting when needed, and making intentional choices to care for ourselves in the heat and light of the season.

For many, leaning into summer’s benefits means intentionally engaging with its sensory offerings. Research shows that time in nature reduces stress, improves mood, and even enhances creativity (University of Melbourne, 2018). The warmth of the sun, the smell of cut grass, the sound of cicadas—these aren’t just atmospheric touches. They’re grounding anchors, especially for those feeling emotionally scattered or overstimulated. Activities like morning walks, swimming, or journaling outdoors can create mental space and restore calm. The act of being present in a season, rather than rushing through it or numbing it away, can bring both clarity and comfort.

Likewise, summer offers us a unique chance to reflect and reset. Without the heaviness of winter or the busy buildup of fall, it often feels like a pause, a window to regroup and reimagine. Whether we’re recovering from emotional burnout, processing personal change, or simply trying to feel more connected to ourselves, the energy of summer can offer a soft place to land. The longer days become an invitation: to rest more deeply, to reach out more often, and to return to the parts of ourselves we may have shelved for survival in colder months.

Still, with all its offerings, summer can also ask a lot. The pressure to be productive, to make memories, to constantly “enjoy the moment” can leave people feeling depleted or disconnected. Just as important as savoring the season is permitting yourself to retreat from it. There’s no one right way to move through summer. Some may find healing in gatherings and road trips; others might find it in solitude, in books and blankets under ceiling fans. Honor your needs, and let summer’s light guide rather than blind you.

In the end, summer isn’t just a season, it’s a psychological shift. A slow melting into warmth, into vulnerability, into a deeper connection with time and place. Like nostalgia, summer has the power to transport, to transform, and to tether us to what matters. Not because it’s perfect or always pleasurable, but because it reminds us, through sunlight, through memory, through stillness and motion alike, that we are alive.

To discuss how therapy could help you during this season of your life, please contact me or schedule your free 15-minute consultation.

References:

Gillihan, S. J., Detre, J. A., Farah, M. J., & Rao, H. (2011). Neural Substrates Associated with Weather-Induced Mood Variability: An Exploratory Study Using ASL Perfusion fMRI. Journal of cognitive science, 12(2), 195–210. https://doi.org/10.17791/jcs.2011.12.2.195

Melrose, S. (2015). Seasonal Affective Disorder: An Overview of Assessment and Treatment Approaches. Depression Research and Treatment. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/178564

Lambert, G. W., Reid, C., Kaye, D. M., Jennings, G. L., & Esler, M. D. (2002). Effect of sunlight and season on serotonin turnover in the brain. The Lancet, 360(9348). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12480364/.

WebMD. (n.d.). How Weather Affects Your Mood. https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/video/video-weather-pain#:~:text=Finally%2C%20some%20kinds%20of%20weather,due%20to%20getting%20less%20sunlight.

University of Melbourne. (2018). The Sun and Your Mental Health. https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-greg-hunt-mp/media/university-of-melbourne-2018-deans-lecture-the-future-of-mental-health-policy

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