Summer could be the worst time of the year for employee mental health. Here’s why

Paradoxical to the boost in serotonin the summer months are usually associated with, stress is overrunning into warmer days. Summer is for necessary respite—53% of U.S. adults are planning a summer vacation this year. However, the rising stress that comes with taking time off is now making this benefit one engulfed with anxiety.

Almost half (47%) of workers feel guilty for taking a vacation this summer, highlighting the immense pressure employees are feeling from their workload. There has even been a rise in “hush-cations,” when an employee works from a location other than the one their employer expects without officially reporting it as vacation time. This may seem like an effort to prioritize relaxation, but it is actually reflective of a larger concern around the lack of open communication and awareness of stress in the workplace. Staff are too overwhelmed to take proper time off and speak up about their unmanageable workloads, underscoring the pressing need for organizations to create environments that promote authenticity and psychological safety. 

Even outside of the more obvious work-related stressors rising this summer, a myriad of external factors are making matters worse. Invasive thoughts do not care if we’re sitting at our desks or lying on the beach. For example, there is pressure to have a “summer beach body.” This worry seems like a personal problem, but negative body confidence affects nearly one in five people in the workplace.

Another growing cause for concern is the heat wave across the United States. High temperatures are pushing the limits of what workers can handle regarding climate anxiety. Extreme weather can also cause dehydration or heat strokes. While these symptoms are physical, they can morph into feelings of guilt as fatigue and a decreased ability to concentrate and focus impact employees’ ability to be fully present and handle their tasks.

When unnoticed, heightened periods of stress during the summer can exacerbate pre-existing problems and manifest into life-threatening incidents. Studies have shown there is a causal relationship between stressful events and episodes of major depression, which is a significant threat to workplaces right now.

As workers grapple with these complex feelings, the first step is to recognize that mental health symptoms can crop up at any time of the year, regardless of the period’s positive cultural connotation.

If the heightened summertime employee stress shocks you as an employer, in my professional capacity as a psychologist, I urge you to take control and rethink strategies to fight mental health issues proactively.

When managers can see aggregated and anonymized data about their employees, they must note any seasonality. If a company’s fiscal year ends in March, they may see a jump in at-risk employees during the early spring.

Companies can help create a culture that prioritizes and values employee well-being and enables a safe and supportive environment where individuals feel comfortable seeking help when needed, even if that’s in the middle of summer. Otherwise, mental health issues of all sizes and forms will only get worse this summer and once again become a shocking threat in months to follow.

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