The High-Stimulus Season: How to Soothe Your Nervous System in Summer

We’re told summer is the season of fun, lightness, and freedom — but for many people, it’s also a time of overstimulation, emotional exhaustion, and dysregulation.

Sound familiar?

Long days. Constant plans. Hot weather. Kids out of school. Travel disruptions. Family pressure. Social FOMO. It’s a lot — especially for people with anxiety, trauma, or a sensitive nervous system.

If summer leaves you feeling overwhelmed instead of relaxed, you’re not alone. And no, you're not “too sensitive.” Your nervous system might just be overloaded.

At Wellbeing, we support clients who struggle with high-stimulus seasons — using trauma-informed tools, psychedelic support, and therapy that meets you where you are.

Why Summer Can Feel So Dysregulating

Summer brings unique stressors that many people don’t talk about:

• 🔆 Increased daylight (can disrupt sleep cycles)

• 🏖️ Social pressure to attend events, vacations, or be “happy”

• ☀️ Heat = sensory stress for many bodies

• 🛫 Routine disruption from travel

• 🧠 Internal guilt or frustration for not “enjoying” the season

If you already live with anxiety or PTSD, your nervous system may register all this stimulation as a threat, keeping you in a low-level state of hypervigilance or shutdown.

Signs Your Nervous System Might Be Overstimulated

• Tension headaches or jaw clenching

• Digestive issues or nausea

• Feeling “touched out” or emotionally fried

• Overreactions to small things

• Trouble sleeping or staying asleep

• Craving quiet or isolation

This isn’t laziness or avoidance — it’s your nervous system asking for regulation.

How to Soothe a Stressed-Out Nervous System

Here are a few gentle ways to regulate your system during summer:

1. Create a Calm Start or End to Your Day

Try 5 minutes of grounding: feet on the floor, slow breathing, or sensory focus (smelling tea, touching fabric, etc.)

2. Protect Your Sensory Boundaries

Use sunglasses, hats, noise-canceling headphones, or soft clothing. Your comfort matters.

3. Say No to Social Overload

You don’t have to attend everything. One quiet weekend can reset your system more than a vacation ever could.

4. Unplug Guilt-Free

Social media creates massive FOMO in summer. Log off if it’s messing with your mental space.

How Wellbeing Can Support Your Nervous System

If you’re feeling stuck in anxiety, burnout, or overstimulation, we can help. Our services include:

• Talk therapy

• Ketamine therapy to help you reset and reconnect

• Medication management for clients whose systems are overwhelmed or under-resourced

We understand how real the summer struggle is — and we’re here for it.

You Deserve to Feel Safe in Your Body — In Any Season

There’s no right way to feel in summer. You’re allowed to rest, disconnect, and create your own version of peace.

📞 Ready to talk about what support could look like for you? Book an Intro Call to get started!