Why Routines are Still Important in the Summer

When the summertime hits, a lot of teens look forward to the break in their usual routine that comes with the end of school and school sports, clubs, and related extracurricular activities. Some may view it as a time to relax and take time for themselves, some as a lot of free time for adventures, socializing, and activities. Often times, however, it only takes a few weeks for something called the ‘summertime blues’ to kick in. Parents may notice an increase in negative behaviors, a lack of energy, withdrawing, or other symptoms similar to depression or anxiety. This is often a result of the loss of routine during the summers. 

Routine plays more than an organizational role in helping teens– or anyone– navigate their day-to-day needs. When we don’t have a routine in place, we’re more likely to skip things that we need in order to do our best and feel our best. Things like drinking enough water, eating proper meals, remembering medications, and getting enough (or too much) sleep all contribute to both our physical and our mental health, and can be affected by the loss of routine. This is often the cause of mood and demeanor shifting during the summer. Even if these things are accounted for, it can be difficult to regulate without our typical routines helping to dictate them. For teens with ADHD or other developmental disorders, we often see an increase in these traits. For those with depression, anxiety, or other mood dysregulation, there is increased mood instability. 

Building summer routines does not mean that teens need to recreate their school schedules– this in fact defeats the purpose of the break in the summer meant to give them time to recharge. However, building small routines to give consistency and structure to summer days can significantly improve mental health, executive function, and overall enjoyment of summer break.