As summer travel ramps up and social media feeds flood with picture-perfect vacations, a UAE-based neuropsychologist warns that the season of sun and escape could be quietly fuelling stress, anxiety and disrupted sleep — especially in a region grappling with rising security concerns.

“We tend to idealise summer as a time of rest and happiness, but the psychological impact of constant digital exposure and unpredictable travel can be profound,” said Dr Alexandre Machado, Clinical Neuropsychologist at Hakkini. From endless doomscrolling to erratic routines and overstimulated children, the very things we associate with winding down could be interfering with our ability to mentally recharge.

Whether it’s checking the news or posting travel highlights, excessive screen time during summer holidays may be doing more harm than we think. “Constant exposure to digital stimuli can over activate the brain’s reward system — particularly the dopaminergic pathways — leading to addictive behaviours,” explained Dr Machado. “At the same time, curated and idealised portrayals of life on social media can evoke feelings of inadequacy and envy, compromise self-esteem and triggering what we call a ‘narcissistic injury."

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The neuropsychological toll of such habits can also impair attention, impulse control, and sleep — especially in young adults. News content adds its own layer of damage. “Distressing news can trigger unconscious fears and existential anxieties, over activate the amygdala and disrupt the brain’s ability to regulate emotions,” he said. “This leads to increased anxiety, even when people are technically on holiday.”

Travel doesn’t always heal

While travel can be emotionally healing and cognitively enriching, it doesn’t come without its own mental strain. “Travel can enhance neuroplasticity and promote emotional catharsis,” Dr Machado noted.
“But it can also trigger the body’s stress response system — activating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and spiking cortisol levels, especially in those with pre-existing mental health conditions.” Jet lag, unfamiliar environments, and unpredictable delays can further disturb the brain’s executive functions and circadian rhythm, making rest even harder to come by.

Photo: Dr Alexandre Machado.

Another subtle but powerful mental burden is emerging — background anxiety tied to safety. “Security concerns can evoke unconscious fears, which manifest as chronic anxiety or emotional detachment,” said Dr Machado. “One way to process this is through journaling or therapy, which helps bring unconscious fears into awareness.” He also recommends practical techniques such as deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation to regulate the nervous system and restore emotional balance.

Children feel it too

The mental strain isn’t limited to adults. Children — often freed from structure during the summer — are also at risk of emotional dysregulation. “The lack of routine can impact a child’s prefrontal cortex, making it harder to manage emotions,” said Dr Machado. “Regressive behaviours, increased irritability, and even separation anxiety can emerge when children feel emotionally unanchored.” He suggests that parents establish flexible but consistent daily schedules, limit screen time, and encourage outdoor play and social interaction to keep kids mentally grounded.

Suggestions for a healthier, more balanced summer

• Limit news and social media exposure, especially in the evening.

• Create a cool, dark, quiet sleep environment to support melatonin production.

• Use travel as a time for self-reflection, not just distraction.

• Stay emotionally connected by speaking openly about fears or stress—especially with children.

• Replace scrolling with grounding practices like mindfulness or calming music before bed.

“Summer should be restorative,” concluded the neuropsychologist. “But that requires conscious psychological work — not just a change of scenery.”

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