Summer is often seen as a welcome break from the grey skies of winter. Brighter mornings, lighter evenings, and the chance to take time off are all reasons to look forward to this time of year. But for some employees, the summer months can bring an unexpected drop in mood, energy or motivation—a phenomenon often referred to as summertime sadness.
At Wellbeing Partners, the UK’s leading provider of workplace mental health and wellbeing support, we understand that emotional wellbeing doesn’t follow the seasons. Just as winter can trigger low mood for some, summer can present its own mental health challenges—particularly in fast-paced or high-pressure work environments.
How Summer Can Affect Workplace Wellbeing
It may seem counterintuitive, but summer can be emotionally difficult for many employees. Some of the reasons include:
- Disrupted Routines: Annual leave, school holidays, and shifting workloads can lead to a lack of structure. While flexibility is often welcomed, it can also cause stress for those who rely on routine to stay grounded and productive.
- Increased Workload: Covering for colleagues on leave or managing end-of-quarter deadlines can result in increased pressure, fatigue or burnout.
- Social Expectations: The assumption that summer should be “carefree and happy” can make it harder for employees to speak up if they’re struggling. There may also be added pressure to attend social events that feel emotionally or physically draining.
- Sleep Disruption and Heat Stress: Warmer nights and longer daylight hours can interfere with sleep, which has a direct impact on concentration, mood and overall resilience at work.
- Body Image and Self-Esteem: Hotter weather can exacerbate personal insecurities, particularly when dressing for comfort in professional settings or navigating the constant exposure to “summer body” culture.
Supporting Yourself and Your Team
If summer feels more draining than energising, it’s important to acknowledge that experience and take steps to protect your mental wellbeing. Some simple but effective strategies include:
- Maintain a Regular Schedule: As much as possible, stick to consistent working hours, breaks and sleep times. Routine can restore a sense of control and focus.
- Take Meaningful Breaks: Use your annual leave to fully disconnect—not just from work emails, but from the mental pressure of constant productivity. A real break helps restore both wellbeing and performance.
- Watch for Signs of Struggle: Irritability, withdrawal, poor sleep, and low motivation can all be signs someone is not coping. If you’re noticing changes in yourself or a colleague, start a supportive conversation or point them to available resources.
- Make Space for Openness: Teams that normalise conversations about mental health—year-round—create safer, more sustainable working environments. As a manager or colleague, it’s okay to ask how someone’s really doing.
What Employers Can Do
Workplaces have a vital role to play in supporting employee mental health—especially during seasonal transitions. Through their expert-led training, consultancy and support services, Wellbeing Partners help organisations across the UK build mentally healthy, high-performing teams.
From one-to-one employee wellbeing sessions and leadership training to proactive mental health strategy, Wellbeing Partners provide tools that meet the real-world needs of today’s workforce.
Final Thought
Just because it’s sunny outside doesn’t mean everyone feels bright on the inside. Whether you’re managing a team or trying to stay on top of your own workload, remember that struggling in summer is more common than you might think—and support is available.
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