Summer often brings warmer weather, longer days, and calendars that feel fuller than ever. Between vacation plans, family gatherings, childcare juggling, and the irresistible call of sunny days, leisure time can easily clash with work deadlines and responsibilities. In the rush to wrap up projects before that well-earned getaway, stress builds, motivation dips, and work-life balance starts to slip. Add the extra load of covering for colleagues on vacation, and suddenly you’re drowning in to-dos instead of sipping poolside margaritas.

If you’re feeling burnt out this summer, you’re not the only one who girl bossed too close to the sun. Summer burnout is very real and can lead to a sense of workplace fatigue. It’s not just about feeling emotionally exhausted or at the point of a breakdown, either. Burnout can start as a lack of motivation to complete your tasks, ongoing tiredness, and a feeling of being overwhelmed by small tasks before snowballing into something larger and much more destructive to your day-to-day life.

Here are some helpful tips that can help you cope with summer burnout:

Set clear boundaries

Set a specific summer work schedule for yourself and stick to it. Does your company offer summer Fridays? Great! Log off at quitting time and not a minute later. Have flexible hours? Set your summer schedule and communicate it with colleagues so that everyone is aware of your availability and work doesn’t crossover into your personal time. It’s not just about time management and holding yourself accountable to your responsibilities, but making sure that other people are held accountable to respect your time. Someone else’s poor planning is not your emergency! 

Take regular breaks

Stepping outside for just a few minutes of sunshine can make a huge difference, allowing you the space to gather your thoughts and reset. Just changing the scenery for a few minutes can give you a much-needed break from the monotony of the day.

Take a vacation

It’s important to take some time away during the summer to recharge and avoid burnout. Whether you go away or plan a staycation, disconnecting from work and spending time with loved ones or doing beloved activities can do wonders for your mental health. You have vacation days for a reason. Use them.

Prioritize wellness

Self-care is non-negotiable, amiga. Stay hydrated, eat nourishing meals, and devote at least 15 minutes a day to physical activity or fresh air. Incorporating mindfulness activities into your daily routine is another great way to collect your thoughts and refocus your energy. Deep breathing exercises, journaling, and meditation all provide ways to disconnect from life’s stressors and reconnect with yourself.

Reconnect with your purpose

Do you feel disconnected from the work that you’re doing? No longer feeling aligned with your goals and core values? If so, it might be time for you to dig deep and reflect on why you do the work that you do. If you’re not feeling aligned with your purpose, you will burn out. Reconnecting with your why or seeking out new challenges or creative outlets is a great way to reignite that spark and find your professional passion again. 

If you’re feeling exhausted or uninspired this summer, you’re not alone. Fatigue is a warning sign, not a character flaw. Rather than pushing through, prioritize yourself. Allow yourself grace, time to rest, and be sure to make room for a healthier work-life balance. Remember, we work to live, not live to work.