Your Mental Health Checklist Before Summer Hits in Las Vegas
When people think of summer, they usually picture vacations, sunshine, and fun. But if you live in Las Vegas, you know that summer can also bring stress, especially when the temperatures soar and routines go out the window. Creating a mental health checklist before summer begins can make a big difference.
Between managing heat, kids being out of school, family expectations, and the general hustle of daily life, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed before the season even starts.
Think of this as your guide to staying calm, balanced, and prepared, no matter what this summer brings.
At Golden Touch Behavioral Care Center, we’re here to help you plan and care for your mind, just like you’d take care of your home, car, or summer schedule. Connect with us now!
1. Check in With Yourself
Before anything else, pause for a moment and ask:
- How have I been feeling lately?
- Am I more tired, anxious, or short-tempered than usual?
- What’s been making me feel stressed?
Being honest is the first step to caring for your mental health. You don’t have to fix everything at once. Knowing how you’re doing emotionally can help you recognize when to slow down or ask for help.
If you’re in Las Vegas and feeling burned out before summer even starts, Golden Touch is here to support you. We make therapy affordable and straightforward by accepting insurance plans like Medicaid, TriWest, Aetna, Cigna, SilverSummit, Molina, Magellan, and FFS.
2. Rebuild Your Routine (Before School’s Out In Las Vegas)
When summer starts, kids are home, schedules shift, and things can get hectic fast. Instead of waiting for the chaos to hit, think about what structure you’ll need to stay sane.
Here’s how to start:
- Keep bedtimes and wake-up times consistent for everyone in the house.
- Build “quiet time” into your day, even if it’s just 20 minutes after lunch.
- Create a visual schedule with simple activities to avoid constant “I’m bored!” moments.
Predictability helps everyone, especially your mental health.
3. Make a “Stress Plan”
It doesn’t matter if stress happens this summer—it’s when. That’s why it’s helpful to plan for it.
Your stress plan could include:
- List five quick things that help calm you down (like breathing, stretching, or stepping outside).
- One person you can talk to when you feel overwhelmed.
- A phrase or reminder that helps you stay grounded (like “One thing at a time” or “This will pass”).
Having a plan doesn’t mean you won’t get stressed—it just means you’ll know how to handle it when you do.
4. Set Boundaries With Family and Friends
Summer often brings more family events, social invites, and unexpected visits. While connection is great, too much of it—or the wrong kind—can drain your energy.
Here are a few simple boundary tips:
- It’s okay to say no to events that feel overwhelming.
- You don’t need to explain every decision. “I’m not available that day” is enough.
- Plan breaks before and after family time to recharge.
Your time, energy, and mental health matter. Setting boundaries helps you protect them.
5. Take Care of Your Body (Even If It’s Hot Outside)
Las Vegas heat can be brutal, but physical health plays a big role in your mental well-being.
Try to:
- Drink plenty of water—dehydration can make you irritable or dizzy.
- Take short walks early or late in the day to avoid overheating.
- Get sunlight to boost mood and energy (morning sun is best).
- Keep your space cool and dark at night to improve sleep.
Even small physical changes can make a big emotional difference.
6. Talk to Your Kids About Feelings
When kids are home more, big emotions show up more, too. Instead of waiting for meltdowns, create space for your child to share their feelings—just like you’re trying to do for yourself.
Start with:
- “You seem upset—want to talk about it?”
- “What’s one good thing and one hard thing about today?”
- “It’s okay to feel frustrated. Let’s figure it out together.”
You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be present.
Looking for family therapy or parenting support? At Golden Touch, we offer affordable therapy to families in Las Vegas.
7. Don’t Wait to Schedule Therapy
Summer is one of our busiest seasons for mental health services. Many people wait until they’re already burned out before they seek help. But scheduling now means you can get ahead of stress—and feel supported all summer.
Our therapy in Las Vegas, Nevada, can help with:
- Managing stress and anxiety
- Navigating parenting overwhelm
- Creating a better daily routine
- Processing seasonal sadness or mood changes
- Having a safe place to talk through it all
If you are in North Las Vegas, Paradise, Spring Valley, or other nearby areas, know that we accept many insurance plans (including Medicaid and SilverSummit) and offer convenient scheduling.
8. Give Yourself Grace
This might be the most important item on your checklist. You won’t do summer perfectly.
There will be messes, forgotten plans, loud days, and quiet breakdowns in the bathroom. But that doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. It means you’re human.
When things feel too hard, pause, breathe, and remind yourself: I’m doing my best. And when you need help, reach out.
When Summer Makes Everything Feel Harder, You Are Not Alone
For many, summer isn’t just about heat but survival. And when temperatures rise, so do the challenges, especially if you’re already carrying a heavy load. If you’re dealing with financial pressure, housing uncertainty, or family struggles in Las Vegas, the summer months can intensify everything.
Maybe you’re:
- Worried about eviction or losing your housing
- Navigating Section 8 waitlists or complicated paperwork
- Trying to reunify with your kids through social services
- Living in a crowded home or staying with relatives
- Facing job loss, legal trouble, or just trying to get through the day
The heat doesn’t just affect your body; it also wears down your mind.
Long days with nowhere cool to go, kids home from school needing food and attention, and agencies that are slow to respond can leave you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, and alone.
That’s why we’re here.
At Golden Touch, we understand that stress doesn’t take a summer break. We offer judgment-free therapy for individuals, couples, families, and teens, especially those dealing with housing insecurity, financial anxiety, and family reunification challenges.
We’ll match you with someone who truly understands what you’re going through, and together, we’ll work on building real tools to help you feel stronger and more in control—even when life is chaotic.