Summer Wellness

5 Tips for Managing Stress During the Summer

Summer can bring more freedom, more family time, and more rest. It can also bring schedule changes, screen-time battles, and big emotions. Here are a few simple ways to help your family feel more grounded this season.

You do not have to make summer perfect.
A few steady rhythms can create more calm, connection, and stability at home.

Children often feel calmer when they have a general idea of what to expect. A loose routine can provide stability without making the day feel rigid.

• Keep a few daily anchors like wake-up time, meals, quiet time, and bedtime.
• Talk through the day in simple terms so children know what is coming.
• Use a visual schedule, whiteboard, or family plan when helpful.
• Leave open space for flexibility, rest, and spontaneous fun.

Screens can be an easy way to pass time, especially when parents are busy or kids are bored. Too much screen time can leave children overstimulated, disconnected, or more irritable.

• Build in screen-free moments each day.
• Swap one screen block for outdoor play, crafts, reading, or a family walk.
• Create simple device boundaries around meals, car rides, or bedtime.
• Model balance by taking breaks from screens together.

Quality time does not have to be expensive or complicated. Many children feel most connected during simple, everyday moments when they have your attention.

• Take a walk, visit a park, play outside, or use sidewalk chalk.
• Let your child help choose a small activity.
• Try 15 to 20 minutes of focused time when a full day together is not realistic.
• Focus on being present, not making the activity perfect.

Summer can create more time together, but that does not always mean more meaningful connection. Intentional conversation helps children feel heard, safe, and supported.

• Use natural moments like dinner, bedtime, walks, or car rides to talk.
• Ask: "What was the best part of your day?" or "What felt hard today?"
• Listen with patience before trying to fix or correct.
• Use games or shared activities to make conversation feel easier.

As your family spends more time together, emotions or stress may become more noticeable. That does not mean you have failed. It may simply mean your family could use more support.

• Pay attention to ongoing worry, mood changes, meltdowns, withdrawal, or sleep changes.
• Notice when stress begins to affect daily routines or relationships.
• Reach out if your child seems overwhelmed, stuck, or unable to bounce back.
• Remember that seeking support is a sign of care, not failure.

Quick Summer Reset

Create one simple daily rhythm.

Choose one screen-free window each day.

Plan one low-cost family activity this week.

Ask one meaningful question at dinner.

Reach out when stress feels too heavy to carry alone.

This article is for general education and encouragement. It is not a replacement for counseling or crisis support. If your family is facing immediate safety concerns, seek emergency help right away.

New Leaf Resources

You do not have to go through this alone.

If summer stress is becoming too much for your child, your family, or you as a caregiver, New Leaf Resources is here to come alongside you. Our team can provide a listening ear, practical tools, and support for the next step.

Contact New Leaf Resources Learn About Counseling

About the Author

Becky works in the Crown Point office and specializes in working with children and adolescents. Her areas of interest include relationship issues, family issues, school issues, stress, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and human sexuality.

Becky works with each client and family as a team. She uses expressive arts, person-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, play therapy, and art therapy. "I am passionate about helping people feel safe and comfortable expressing themselves in therapy. I use art to help clients express themselves in a way that they may not have ever been able to do before."