Burnout in teens is real and rising. It manifests as chronic fatigue, anxiety, irritability, loss of motivation, and emotional disconnection. It often stems from too many expectations and not enough rest. As Catholic Christians, summer offers a vital opportunity: not just to slow down, but to help teens reconnect with their faith and find lasting renewal.

Why summer downtime matters

Rest is biblical and necessary

The concept of rest is rooted in Scripture. God modeled rest on the seventh day, and Jesus often withdrew to quiet places to pray and recover. Teenagers, growing and developing rapidly, need the same intentional rest — physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Mental and emotional renewal

A break from academic and social stress gives teens time to decompress. In contrast to the grueling schedule most American teens follow throughout the year, unstructured time supports emotional growth and creates space for reflection, prayer, and deepening of healthy relationships.

Strengthening identity through faith

Without the constant noise of school and social media, teens can take time to reflect on who they are and who God says they are. Downtime allows space for deeper questions, meaningful conversations, and rediscovery of who they are in Christ.

Healthy ways to rest and reconnect with faith

Summer is a time when many teens participate in opportunities to encounter the Lord and grow in their relationship with him, such as Diocesan Youth Leadership Camp 2024, Steubenville Youth Conferences, Pine Hills Boys/Girls Camps, and Damascus Catholic Youth Summer Camp. As valuable as these opportunities are, they are only as effective as the routine followed once they return. They will need encouragement to take what they received and learned in these activities and continue to prioritize their faith for the remainder of summer and beyond. Following are some tips to share with the teens in your lives.

Limit over-scheduling: 

Encourage teens to take part in summer activities they genuinely enjoy, but protect time for rest, prayer, and quiet reflection. A Sabbath mind-set — resting at least one day each week from demands — can be transformative.

Create sacred space: 

Whether it's reading Scripture in the morning, journaling prayers, or walking outside while listening to worship music, daily routines can become spiritual habits that ground and sustain them. Setting some time aside to pray as a family or helping them to find a local parish with Eucharistic adoration could be a good way to encourage this.

Get involved in faith-based activities: 

Church youth groups, mission trips, summer Bible camps, or small groups offer opportunities for teens to stay socially connected while nurturing their spiritual lives. If your parish doesn’t have an active youth ministry, reach out to one of the local parishes that does. Or better yet, ask your pastor what you can do to help start one or offer to lead a Bible study or discipleship group for the teens in your parish.

Serve others: 

Faith flourishes in action. Volunteering as a family or with church peers allows teens to live out their beliefs, while gaining perspective and joy. You can reach out to your local Catholic Charities office for opportunities to serve.

Unplug to reconnect: 

Encourage teens to take breaks from digital distractions. Silence isn’t empty — it’s full of God’s presence. Setting aside screen-free time can help teens hear God more clearly and feel less overwhelmed. You could also schedule times to unplug as a family and set a family game night or trip to the beach, creating space where family relationships can be nurtured and restored.

Summer seems to be getting shorter and shorter, but should still be more than just a pause from school — it should be a time of deep restoration. By carving out moments for quiet, connection, and faith, teenagers can enter the next season of life not only rested but spiritually refreshed. Let the remainder of this summer be one of peace, prayer, and purpose for the young people in our lives — and for all of us.