Beating the Summertime Blues

The importance of combatting holiday loneliness

With the hectic lead up to the end of the year, and the festive season now well and truly over, many people are left with a surprisingly common feeling of the Summertime Blues.

The last few years have seemingly delivered challenge after challenge, with the final straw being an ongoing economic downturn leading to many Australians foregoing the annual vacation this year. A NAB survey conducted in early in 2024 showed that 45% of people made changes or cuts to travel plans in the first three months of that year, with around 25% of people likely to reduce their travel spend over the next 12 months.

The decision by many to staycation this year may just increase even further the paradox of Summer Loneliness for those already experiencing social isolation. Summer loneliness is a phenomenon where increased visibility of others' social activities can exacerbate feelings of isolation for those who are already feeling lonely.

Although more people may be choosing to staycation this year rather than traveling, this doesn’t mean that they will necessarily be staying at home. Australia is home to some of the most magnificent places a stone’s throw from all major cities and with people saving on air fares and accommodation, they will allocate some of those saved funds to enjoying what their city has to offer instead, creating many Instagram-worthy moments.

Our social media usage also increases during summer, both creation and consumption, which means that the availability of viewing the evidence of other people enjoying connection through their online highlight reels, creates a double whammy for those who are feeling isolated at home.

Social media can significantly increase feelings of loneliness during summer, with a report from The School of Positive Psychology showing that 74% of people experience more FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) during this period. And, with the same study showing that a significant proportion of young adults aged 21 to 34 in Australia already experience heightened levels of loneliness compared to other demographics, this could become a problematic summer for many young people.

Feelings of isolation and loneliness can present significant health risks, both physically and mentally. Loneliness also presents an estimated $2.7 billion cost per year in direct health support, with the indirect costs being virtually impossible to measure.

With so many risk factors facing our community this summer, finding ways to create meaningful connections through shared experiences, especially for those who can't get away for a holiday is essential.

Travel and holidays are often associated with forming new connections and meaningful memories. So, in the absence of this travel it's vital to seek out solutions that can provide these feelings in a staycation setting.

Some ways to stay connected over summer include:

Finding a volunteer role that gets you into the outdoors

Beach cleanups are just one example of ways to get multiple benefits from social connection. They allow you to get out into the open air (by the sea, which is twice as good for you), connect with other people, and feel great about giving back.

Finding free group activities

If your budget is tight this can exacerbate the problem of isolation and loneliness. So finding activities that don’t cost much is a great way to stay connected without putting even more pressure on yourself. There are lots of free activities such as a bush walking or a coastal walking groups.

Reduce your time on social media

We know this is a common piece of advice and that it can be difficult to manage, especially if you don’t have many people in your social network. Finding an alternative activity that can help you feel connected to something other than yourself, such as reading a great book, listening to a podcast that you enjoy or taking up a creative hobby can help to reduce your exposure to the countless curated lives online. And as a bonus, may even connect you to others.

Joining group dining or social activities

Although not free, gathering around a table and sharing a meal with likeminded people is one of the best antidotes to social isolation. Try finding an option at a price point that works within your budget so you can still treat yourself at the same time as connecting with others. Pro tip – Amicii offers experiences at a range of different price points!

People are beginning to demand in-person solutions to our growing issue of social disconnection and the market is responding with many options offering different ways to meet likeminded people, and build and maintain our social network.

The key is to find something that appeals to your interests enough that it feels easy to take that first step towards connection in person.