Summer holiday stress: psychologist explains why some teens feel anxious during their break from school

“It is a warning sign that you can no longer keep running from your problems [by] keeping your mind busy with work or study. The underlying issues will always catch up to you,” said James Yu, a clinical psychologist and associate professor at the Hang Seng University of Hong Kong.

The expert spoke to Young Post about the causes of summer holiday stress and gave advice about how to cope.

For those who are overwhelmed by the courses they have to take even after the school year ends, Yu pointed to Hong Kong’s competitive academic environment.

“Part of it is the culture as most parents are not content with their kids having a three-month break with no activities or training that bolster their academic abilities,” the psychologist explained.

Instead of being a time to unwind from the school year, summer becomes a continuation of teens’ high-stress studies. This may result in mental exhaustion or burnout.

Another common summer holiday stressor is loneliness and isolation as students do not get to see their school friends as often.

“Peer relationships play a significant role in the psychosocial development of teenagers,” Yu said, explaining that pupils need to share their thoughts and feelings with friends.

This loss of social support is especially detrimental for teens who do not have strong relationships with their families. During the summer, students typically spend more time with their parents, which can exacerbate existing issues.

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“For example, some parenting styles are known for creating a lot of pressure and inducing a lot of anger in children and ... distress to closed ones,” Yu said.

Teens tend to struggle more with summer holiday stress if they lack strong support networks and have existing mental health issues.

“Negative thinking ... and catastrophising thoughts are other common risk factors,” Yu added, explaining that the lack of a school routine could add to their anxiety.

To deal with these sources of stress during the holiday, Yu emphasised the importance of maintaining a routine as this can make it easier to deal with challenges.

He noted that academic courses were not the only way to create a routine. Students can join summer camps, volunteer, play sports or start a part-time job. By taking part in fun and enriching activities, teens can relax and develop their interests while adjusting to the transitional period between school years.

And for those who are mentally burned out, Yu recommended they open up to their parents about how they feel and explain the importance of taking a break from rigorous academics during the summer.

If your parents don’t take it well or ignore your feelings, reach out to a school counsellor or another trusted adult for help in communicating your concerns.

However, if your stress arises from pre-existing mental health issues, the psychologist advised seeking help from professionals before things worsen.

The same goes for those whose summer holiday stress is due to neglect, abuse or domestic violence at home. These are problems that teens should not be dealing with on their own.

“This might be a deep-seated family issue which must be addressed ... I’d advise the kids to keep reaching out to different people,” Yu stressed, adding that teens could reach out to youth hotlines and NGOs for more support.