20/08/2026
The August Blues
We often talk about loneliness at Christmas. But August can be lonely too.
Your city seems to shut down. Friends and colleagues disappear on holiday. Social media fills with beaches, trips and happy gatherings—while you stay behind with no particular plans.
If this is your August, keep moving. Physical activity is well known to support mental health, and it doesn’t have to mean going to the gym.
Walk your dog. Go to a park. Wander through a neighbourhood you’ve never explored. Spend time in nature. Tend to your garden or plants. Visit a museum. Look for free activities organised by your community.
And sometimes, simply flâner—walking without rushing or needing to get anywhere—can give the mind some space.
Have a coffee or an ice cream on a terrace. Be around other people. A small change of environment can already be a step out of isolation.
And if your August is full of friends, family and plans, think about someone you haven’t heard from recently. They may not be busy. They may simply be finding it difficult to reach out.
Send the message. Make the call. Invite them for a walk.
Sometimes a little movement, a little nature and one genuine human connection can change the shape of a day.
