How to Keep Your Sanity at Work During the Summer

Picture this…You couldn’t wait for summer to roll around, and finally be able to shed the heavy layers of clothes from winter and relax on some white sanded beach with your favorite summer novels. Except for now, the only hint of a white sanded beach you can get is from your last vacation’s picture. And besides, with all that A/C effect blasting in offices in the summer months, those sweaters may have to come back out…

So how do you keep your sanity as you’re stuck on your cubicle when it’s 80 degrees out, and your toes are itching for some white sand on some beach somewhere? Do you just pick up your bags and call it quits (you know you’ve thought about it)? Or do you resign yourself to missing out on the precious heat and beach days?

It can be especially tough as a mom, when the kids are out of school and you’re looking for ways to entertain them as you’re finishing up on the monthly report. When you’re over-tired from summer entertainment over the week-end and after-hours, and then having to re-focus and go back to work…So how do you keep from losing your mind somewhere between a corner of your cubicle, and some white-sanded beach somewhere?

Use Your Vacation

41% of Americans didn’t use their vacation in 2015. Translation: don’t feel guilty about taking your days off, especially in the summer. There’s no better time when the kids are out of school, and when the weather’s so beautiful, to take some time for yourself and your family.

Start early on during the year by budgeting your time off accordingly. One of the biggest mistakes I made one year was not to budget my vacation time wisely, and use too many of my days off before the summer.

Seek to Modify Your Schedule

Can you ask your manager to modify your work hours? You could come in earlier and leave earlier, or come in later and leave later. Or maybe work 10 hours a day and get Fridays off? Seek to adjust your schedule in a way that works best for you and your family.

Get Outside!

Use your lunch time to take a stroll outside (or just eat outside). Take breaks throughout the day for quick walks in the sun. Step outside to recharge your batteries, whether it’s through groups walks or individual strolls. You’ll be surprised how refreshed (and more sane) you feel when you get back to the pile of emails waiting in your inbox.

Organize or Take Part in Your Office Outdoors Activities!

Whether it’s setting up team sports for your department, or participating in team events hosted outside, use these to take advantage of the good weather and lift up yours and your entire team’s morale!

Get Some Rest!

It may not seem like it, but the summer can be especially challenging at work. Whether you’re a parent struggling to entertain your kids, or your morale is just at an all-times low for being stuck inside when the weather’s gorgeous, you can end up being mentally and physically tired from working during the summer months.

In between balancing the work, fun and family, try and get enough rest. Take some time off just for your own mental health, and recharge your batteries whenever you can.