It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a business professional in possession of a full-time job, must be in want of a summer vacation. Whether you’re desperate to re-read your favourite Austen novel or you are jonesing to get to the beach, not everyone has weeks of vacation to lay poolside or take off with the family.
Here are 3 ways you can make the most of summer regardless:
Head Outside
You may be tempted to sit at your desk or in the air-conditioned lunchroom to eat, but even in the most industrial business park, some sunshine and vitamin D will make the world of difference. No picnic tables or nice chairs to hang out in? Throw a camping chair in your trunk and get your office mates to do the same. Set up an impromptu outdoor picnic and enjoy some time in the fresh air.
Does your wifi extend outdoors? Grab your laptop and head outside for an entire afternoon to work if you can. Harvard physician Eva M. Selhub, the co-author of Your Brain on Nature, says a drop of nature is like a drop of morphine to the brain since it “stimulates reward neurons in your brain. It turns off the stress response which means you have lower cortisol levels, lower heart rate and blood pressure, and improved immune response."
Studies show that even 20 minutes outside can reduce stress levels and improve concentration, memory, and creativity. So out you go.
Summer Fridays
The concept of “Summer Fridays” has been around since the 1960s and many companies extend this option to their staff every July and August. According to Buffer, “The perk has grown in recent times – there’s been a 43% global increase in the number of organizations who name it as a benefit. The form the time off takes can vary: half-day Fridays, alternating Fridays off or even every Friday entirely off for a specific period.”
You may be worried that reducing hours in the summer will reduce productivity and sales, but many companies find the results to be quite the opposite. A study from Captivate Network found that 45% of workers felt more distracted during the summer. Another study by Opinion Research Corporation showed that 66 percent of employees who do have summer hours felt more productive—not less—as a result.
Give your staff and colleagues the gift of flexibility and better work-life balance and you will see higher employee retention and increased morale.
Wake Up Early
We know, summer is for “sleeping in.” Hear us out - head to bed at a decent hour, get a good night’s sleep, and then wake up with the birds and enjoy bright mornings before winter arrives and you’re waking up in the dark.
Have breakfast on the deck, go for a walk, take a dip in the pool or lake before you jump in the shower. Hitting the snooze button until the last possible minute can wait for winter. This summer, wake yourself up early and soak up some summer before you start your workday. A little mini-vacation every morning is certainly worth going to bed an hour earlier every evening during the summer months.
Are you going to try any of these out during August or September? Let us know in the comments how you maximize enjoyment during the summer work months.
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