How to get over the end of summer blues?
I spend summers in Greece, and every year when I return home, a wave of sadness washes over me. I think of the hot, lazy days and nights. The sound of waves crashing on the shore. The seagulls flying overhead. The kids laughing and running barefoot on the sand. So, how to get over the end-of-summer blues?
The summer is slowly coming to an end. The days are getting quieter and shorter, the sun a little weaker. The nights a little colder.
I still play summer beats on my laptop, trying to stretch out the feeling. But the truth is: summer is over. And it’s time to come home.
If you feel the same pull of nostalgia as the seasons shift, you’re not alone. Every year I try to hold on to the warmth the best I can.
Here are my favorite ways to get over the end-of-summer blues:
Ways to get over the end-of-summer blues
Get outside as often as you can
The biggest shift I notice when I return home is how much time I suddenly spend indoors. I work inside, I exercise inside, I clean, cook, and even read inside.
So my number one task is not to let myself get stuck within four walls again.
I look for simple ways to step outside more often: sitting on the balcony with my coffee, watering the garden, walking the kids to school, even taking out the trash. Little moments outside make a big difference in keeping that light, summer feeling alive.
Get into the sunshine
In Greece, the sun is impossible to avoid. It’s everywhere—pouring over the sea, warming the streets, filling every corner of the day.
And while we all know the risks of too much sun exposure, there’s another truth: sunlight does wonders for our hormones and our mood. I feel more energized, more alive, when I’m there under its glow.
But when I return home, the light fades. I spend most of my days inside, and if I’m lucky, I catch a glimpse of morning sun before it disappears.
That’s why, while I can, I soak up as much sunshine as possible. To carry it with me. To keep my mood lifted. Because winter is coming and with it, long, gray days.
So let’s enjoy the warmth while it’s here.
Socialize with friends
During holidays, I spend most of my time with my kids. It’s precious, but it also means I rarely see my friends.
That’s why, when I come back home, I know one sure way to lift my mood: go out with a friend.
We often try to improve our mood with exercise, food, or meditation. But the truth is, an hour with friends can do more for your spirit than all of those things combined.
As soon as I returned from my holidays, I reached out to my two best friends. We went out for a drink and some pizza. The night was still warm, and we sat outside talking for hours. It was simple, but it filled me up in a way nothing else could.
Get back to your routine
In summer, I choose to relax. I don’t exercise as hard as I do at home, and I eat whatever I want (within reason!).
But when I get back, I always return to my routine. I eat the way I normally do, I move more, and I rebuild the structure that keeps me feeling strong and clear.
It’s normal to let yourself enjoy the holidays. That’s what they’re for. But once we’re back, it’s also time to restart the daily habits that keep us healthy and in shape.
Pick up your journal. Write down your plan. Restart your mornings and your evenings with intention.
Because routine isn’t boring—it’s what gives you energy and freedom for everything else.
Romanticize your days
I don’t have a sea view from my home. There’s no sunshine sparkling on the water. But beauty doesn’t only live in postcard moments. We can all find it in the ordinary, if we choose to look.
When I turned 40, I started noticing beauty in the most uneventful days. Sitting with my kids, watching a basketball game. Drinking coffee on my balcony as the morning breeze drifts in.
These moments aren’t grand, yet they improve your mood if you just manage to notice them.
Limit your screen time
In summer, we naturally spend more time outside. But as the days get shorter, it’s easy to slip back into old habits: movies on repeat, endless scrolling, hours lost to screens.
Don’t let yourself get stuck there.
Set limits. Replace that time with something that actually restores you: reading, walking, or catching up with a friend.
If you constantly feel like there’s never enough time to rest or exercise, take an honest look at your screen time. You might be surprised at how many hours slip away each day in mindless scrolling.
Refresh your space
I’m not big on spring cleaning, but for some reason, autumn makes me want to care for my home. Maybe it’s the thought of long winter days ahead. Since we spend so much time indoors, it feels good to make our space clean, cozy, and welcoming.
A few simple ways to refresh your space:
- Add greenery. A few plants instantly make a room feel alive.
- Declutter. Let go of the things you no longer use or love.
- Deep clean. Tackle those forgotten corners and hard-to-reach spots.
- Wash your curtains. One final fresh wash before winter makes a huge difference.
Final thoughts
I always feel a little sad when summer slips away. I catch myself scrolling through old photos, reliving the long days and golden evenings. The sound of waves and the sight of the blue sea linger in my mind, pulling me back.
The sadness creeps in slowly. Yet if I manage to pull away and start implementing the steps above, I feel better. More energized and a little more hopeful for the season ahead.
