Summer starts on June 21 in the northern hemisphere, bringing the familiar promise of happiness. The longest day is followed by weeks of sunlight, lively streets, ice creams, baths, and, for many, holidays. Yet not everyone can enjoy the season to the fullest.
Indeed, this year has seen extreme heat. The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) indicated it is highly probable that the summer of 2022 will be the hottest in the series that began in 1961. Looking at climatic reconstructions based on historical data, it is expected to be the warmest summer since at least 1916.
Beyond temperature, people are also affected by the season’s social demands. Heat and stress don’t always mix with relaxation, especially for households without air conditioning or with limited access to energy resources.
Not everyone can enjoy the holiday (or know how)
While social media overflows with travel snapshots, the reality can be quite different. Data from the National Institute of Statistics shows that in 2021, 32.7% of the population could not afford even a week of treatment or leisure. Additionally, 45.9% of people in Spain did not travel during the year. Of those who did travel, 31.8% cited economic reasons, while 29.4% preferred to stay home.
Eva Porto, a psychologist specializing in Human Resources, notes that holidays remain sacred even when spent at home. “Not everyone can afford a Cancun vacation, but meditating or pursuing a new hobby can provide a mental reset,” she says. The key, she adds, is to return to routine with renewed focus rather than letting the break fade.
According to Porto, cultural shifts are needed: even staying home during holidays requires a strong routine to re-enter everyday life with energy.
Work harder to stop working
There is also a paradox on the edge of vacation: the urge to finish things before leaving, which can leave people returning to rest with fatigue. Porto suggests that companies should ensure adequate staffing to cover absences and prevent burnout during holiday periods.
Experts observe a growing sense of guilt around taking time off. “There is still a culture that values workers who keep going, even during vacations, but that mindset is unhealthy,” the psychologist explains. A recent internal study indicates that for every additional 10 hours of vacation, year-end performance scores rose by about one percent.
Being a workaholic is not productive. Studies cited by Project: Off Time show that those who skip holidays are 23-27% less likely to be promoted and 78-84% less likely to receive a raise or bonus compared with colleagues who take proper time off.
Chronic stress has real effects on memory and brain structure, and taking true breaks allows the mind to recover in ways not possible under constant pressure, according to the psychologist.
One practical step is to unplug—uninstall apps, disable notifications, and create a genuine disconnect from work during breaks.
Too much togetherness?
Another factor that hinders rest is constant proximity with family. It is common for tensions to surface when routines loosen, and some families find themselves eager to return to their individual rhythms before the next routine begins. Diane Sanchez, a family psychologist, notes that the period around autumn often brings a surge in consultations as couples readjust to everyday life.
As the season progresses, clinics report a shift back to routines. “During the year, couples settle into a working rhythm, each person knowing their duties. Summer can disrupt that balance, and without a solid foundation, the lack of structure can feel suffocating, creating discomfort and irritability,” the psychologist explains.
Children’s schedules also matter. Many couples say they look forward to summer, but by late July and early August they crave a predictable routine to keep kids on track. Without it, fatigue can set in.