The End of Summer Slump is Real in Rhode Island and Massachusetts

If late August feels heavy, you are not alone. Light shifts, routines change, and the pace picks up across Rhode Island and Massachusetts. In therapy we name that dip, normalize it, and work with it so you can feel steadier as fall begins. 

Start with gentle behavioral activation. Give yourself ten minutes of morning light and easy movement most days. Step outside with coffee, loop your block, or walk somewhere nearby. In Rhode Island, Roger Williams Park in Providence, Goddard Park in Warwick, India Point Park, or the Cliff Walk are calm options. In Massachusetts, try the Charles River paths, the Esplanade, Borderland State Park in Easton, Blue Hills, or the Harborwalk in New Bedford. The goal is a consistent cue that tells your system the day has begun. 

Set two simple anchors that bookend the day. Choose a brief morning setup for the evening ahead and a short wind down at night. Stretch for a few minutes, take a warm shower, and read a couple of pages. Consistency supports sleep and mood more than intensity. 

When your mind starts with I should have done more this summer, use a quick cognitive reframe. Label it as a thought, not a fact, then choose a kinder one such as I used the time I had and I can plan one thing I will enjoy this week. Pair that with opposite action by doing one small pleasant activity even if motivation is low. A short walk at Colt State Park or a coffee on Federal Hill, a lap around the Cape Cod Canal path or a quiet bench in Fall River all count. 

Keep connection easy. Schedule one short check in with someone who gets you. If you have kids, add a predictable family anchor like a quiet hour after dinner for reading or drawing. Naming the slump out loud usually makes it feel lighter for everyone. 

If low mood lasts most days for more than two weeks, if sleep or appetite are off, or if you feel stuck despite good effort, therapy can help. At Brightside Behavioral Health, we work with adults, couples, and children on seasonal mood changes, depression, anxiety, and life transitions. We offer individual therapy, couples therapy, and child therapy. We see clients in person in Johnston, Cranston, and Warwick, and we offer telehealth to anyone in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. 

You do not need to wait for a crisis. With a few steady practices and a supportive space to sort things out, this shift can feel easier. Reach out to schedule an appointment in Johnston, Cranston, or Warwick, or meet with us by telehealth anywhere in Rhode Island or Massachusetts.