Have you ever noticed that you suddenly feel more energized once the days get longer and the weather warms up? You’re not imagining it. Seasonal changes — especially the shift into spring and summer — can have a big impact on our mood, energy levels, and even our mental health.
At our Kansas City therapy practice, we often see a shift in how people feel when the seasons change. As the days get longer and the sun sticks around, many people start to notice more motivation, better moods, and a natural boost in energy. But along with that upswing, it’s also common to feel a bit off — whether it’s pressure to be more productive, unexpected emotional swings, or simply adjusting to a faster pace of life.
Let’s talk about how seasonal energy and mental health are connected — and how to take care of yourself during times of change.
Why We Feel More Energized in the Spring
Your Season of Growth
The science behind it is pretty simple. More sunlight means more vitamin D and increased serotonin, a brain chemical that helps regulate mood. Warmer weather and longer days often mean more time outside, more movement, and more social connection — all things that can naturally boost energy and improve mental well-being.
But feeling more energy doesn’t always mean we feel more balanced.
The Pressure to “Do More” Can Be Real
With more energy can come more expectations — from ourselves or from the world around us.
When the sun comes out, so does the pressure: to be productive, to look a certain way, to be social, to take trips, or to “make the most” of the season. Social media doesn’t help either — it can feel like everyone else is thriving in the sunshine while you’re still trying to get out of bed.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. It’s okay if your version of enjoying warm weather looks different than someone else’s. Therapy can be a space to talk through those expectations, challenge the pressure to “keep up,” and define what your season of growth actually looks like.
Transition Seasons Can Be Emotional
While we usually think of spring and summer as light and happy seasons, change is still change. Moving from one season to the next — whether it’s weather, school, work, or life in general — can bring up anxiety or stress, even if the transition is positive.
You might feel:
- Overwhelmed by a busier schedule
- Out of sync with your new energy level
- Grief or nostalgia as life moves forward
- Unsettled by the shift out of your slower winter pace
That emotional response doesn’t mean something is wrong. In fact, noticing how you respond to seasonal changes can be a great way to build self-awareness — and self-compassion.
This is part of what we explore in therapy when clients are navigating seasonal energy and mental health shifts.
Honor your own Natural Rhythms
How to Work With (Not Against) Your Energy
One thing we often explore in therapy is how to honor your own natural rhythms. You don’t need to match anyone else’s energy, schedule, or pace. Warm weather might give you a boost — great! Use that energy for small steps that feel meaningful to you, not just what you think you should be doing.
Some ways to support your mental health during seasonal transitions:
- Check in with yourself regularly: “What do I need today?”
- Create routines that help anchor you, even when your energy shifts
- Celebrate small wins — you don’t have to overhaul your life to make progress
- Let yourself rest when needed, even in high-energy seasons
And if you’re feeling off — more anxious, more emotional, or more pressured — therapy in Kansas City can help you slow down and sort through those feelings. A licensed therapist can help you better understand your relationship with seasonal energy and mental health, and how to move through these transitions with more ease.
Final Thoughts
Warm weather can feel like a fresh start, and for many people, it is. But it’s also okay if it brings up stress, mixed emotions, or the pressure to be someone you’re not. At our Kansas City therapy office, we’re here to help you understand those seasonal energy and mental health shifts and work with your energy in a way that feels true to you.
Whether you’re feeling a boost or a burnout, you’re not alone — and support is always in season.
