IDuring the muddiest and dirtiest weeks of August in New York City, I noticed a shift in energy: Lethargy has been replaced by a kind of frenetic socializing—everyone wants to go to the beach, drink on rooftops, go on dates, get away for the weekend however they can—and there’s a sense of panicked scarcity, of back-to-school blues.
Summer is special, so we cling to the idea of it slipping through our fingers. I love the outdoorsy vibe of the season, and being overwhelmed by other people’s lives while enjoying outdoor spaces. It’s a time to feel connected to people, nature, and sun, and to text friends, “I’m here, come join me!” We become more carefree, more free, more wild. In his novel Small Worlds, Caleb Azumah Nelson describes the blossoming of romance: “Because it’s summer, anything is possible…” Summer is hopeful. It’s fun.
I’ve always hated the end of August – its ripeness is as disgusting as rotten fruit strewn on the ground – but when I moved to the US, I was completely unprepared for the desolation of Labor Day, that wicked early September date that comes weeks (sometimes months!) before the sun sets and marks the official end of summer.
The end of summer sadness is worse than ever. Am I just making it up?
Does end-of-summer sadness really exist?
“The August mental health spike Genuine “It doesn’t matter,” David Rosmarin, PhD, an associate professor at Harvard Medical School and founder of the Anxiety Center, tells me. The spike in anxiety that occurs as summer transitions into fall is known among psychologists as fall anxiety, or back-to-school anxiety.
A major source of anxiety, Rosmarin explains, is “the gap between expectations and reality.” When that gap widens, “it creates a perception of, ‘Oh no, something’s wrong. I shouldn’t feel this way.'”
There’s also a physiological reason for increased summer anxiety, says Rosmarin. Hot weather “makes it harder to process things, harder to think,” he says. “Some of the physical symptoms of anxiety can mimic that: sweating for no apparent reason, difficulty breathing.” People’s daily routines get disrupted and their sleep gets worse, both of which can lead to anxiety.
There is pressure to make the most of the season and potentially blame yourself if you don’t. 40% of American workers don’t take vacations“Americans can be so hard on themselves and so critical, so focused on, ‘I should have done this, I could have done that,'” Rosmarin says, which can be a source of regret.
Anticipation for the season can be heightened. “Summer is something we wait for all year,” says Julia Carmel, a culture reporter who wrote The New York Times newsletter, “Summer in the City,” for two years. “People get caught up in these really funny, fun fantasies about how summer will be different from ‘ordinary everyday life,'” Carmel says.
How do we deal with end-of-summer sadness?
The easiest way to shake off the end-of-summer blues may be to look forward to fall. Back-to-school jitters can also be motivating, which is why September often feels like the start of a new year: People return to fitness classes, take up hobbies, and refocus on work.
There’s a lot to enjoy in fall. Humorist Colin Nissan, whose essays and book “It’s Decorative Gourd Season, Motherfuckers” go viral on social media every September, says he feels more alive in fall. Just as he would drop anything to go to the beach in summer, he rushes off to apple picking and corn mazes. Fall is cozy, with amber, sweaters, and of course gourds, says Nissan. His advice to melancholy summer lovers like me is to embrace it. “There’s a lot to enjoy in fall. People might see fall as a transitional holiday… but I encourage you to really treat it as fall and give it the respect it deserves.”
To deal with end-of-summer anxiety, Rosmarin recommends four steps: First, identify what you’re scared of: “Is it because I missed out on summer? Am I scared of the upcoming fall? Is there a specific issue, like the election?” he says.
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The second step is to share your feelings with anyone — a therapist, friends, family — whoever you’re talking to. They may tell you they feel the same way, which can make you feel less alone. The third step is to accept these feelings. “You’re going to feel anxious; we all do,” says Rosmarin. “Anxiety gets worse when you suppress it, and better when you accept it.”
The fourth step is the hardest: letting go of control. Combining all four steps, he adds, “transforms anxiety into a catalyst for core growth in multiple areas of your life.”
But…I really miss summer. What can I do?
For me, Rosmarin’s four steps feel simplest in summer. When it’s great outside, it’s easy to let go of control, because things don’t matter as much. With the sun bathing our limbs, it’s easy to feel present and connected. Rosmarin suggests that we fear losing all this lightness and connection. “The answer is that we might,” he says. “Can we let go of that need and come back again next March?”
You can still make the most of those last precious weeks. Carmel suggests making a short, manageable list. “Having too many things you want to do can really overwhelm you.” Your list can be simple, like going swimming, trying a new restaurant, or spending the day at the park with friends.
“How can you really have fun?” they say. “Doing what you love with the people you love is the most basic concept in the world. You can do it anywhere. Even if you’re just spending a week on the couch with your best friends, it’s still a great summer.”
It’s true that some summer pleasures can be enjoyed all year round, but it would be a little odd to cherish them more just because the days are warmer, and to return to the things that are truly more enjoyable in sunny weather next year.
