As we enter the dog days of summer in Iowa, corn has effectively taken over the horizon, bicyclists cruise across the state in packs by the thousands and temperatures soar near, or in the case of this week above, triple digits. Like most things in life, though, summertime presents an interesting duality. Perspectives on the season can range from overwhelmingly positive to distinctly negative. In either case, the season can bring with it additional stress that can have a very real impact on our mental health.

Some see summer as a time of freedom, endless days and nights, ideal weather and an opportunity to finally get outside with friends and family. It’s a break from school and a time for family trips, days spent on the lake and backyard barbeques. Sometimes, though, this can manifest into the pressures of scheduling yet another expensive vacation, packing the calendar with too many kids’ activities or feeling like a failure at the first weekend not spent at another get-together.

Often, we unintentionally create these pressures by forming expectations of what summer should look like and feeling let down if it doesn’t pan out accordingly. Those pressures can be exacerbated by social media, where we are bombarded with carefully crafted, idealistic versions of how everyone else is living their best life. When our own lofty expectations combine with those unrealistic comparisons, the result can be frustration and disappointment.

At the same time, it’s a common narrative that summer automatically brings with it the end of Seasonal Affective Disorder at the hands of cold and dark winter months and replaces it with impending beautiful warm weather. But for some, summer might mean too much heat and humidity that make it uncomfortable to be outside.

Similarly, it’s a cliched belief that students, teachers and others with an extended summer break relish the time away. But for some, this lack of structured activities might lead to increased isolation and separation from social supports. Perhaps for those individuals, swimming pools, parks, farmer’s markets and other events provide opportunities to stay connected with others. For others, though, these exact crowds, and the expectations that everyone should enjoy them, are anxiety-inducing.

While they can certainly happen throughout the year, the challenges that summer can bring have numerous implications for our mental health. The added pressures, comparisons to others, feeling the need to keep up with the Joneses, packed schedules, heat and humidity, regular gatherings or isolation can all increase stress, anxiety or feelings of depression and aggravate other mental health challenges. This might show up in the form of symptoms like having trouble sleeping, increased irritability, restlessness, poor appetite or increased worrying.

Being aware of and honest with yourself about your own relationship with summer can allow you to take steps to lessen potential stressors during the season. That might mean letting go of preconceived expectations of what summer should look like, being intentional about avoiding comparisons to others, limiting the number of gatherings you commit to each week, being willing to say no to others, finding ways to regularly connect with others, establishing a routine for a regular outdoor activity, limiting or even unplugging from social media or committing to a healthy sleep pattern.

Ultimately, the best version of summer may look different for everyone. Whether it’s a road trip to a water park, a bike ride to a local ice cream parlor, soaking up the air conditioning inside with a good book or something else entirely, don’t forget to honor and make space for your needs along your journey toward greater mental health and wellbeing.