Summer may be a few weeks away, but Memorial Day weekend is often when people start asking if you have vacation plans. And for many reasons, including work demands or a tight budget, the answer might be “nope.”
But you can still find ways to enjoy the summer even if you can’t get away, whether it’s getting more ice cream into your life, bringing flowers from your backyard to work, or taking a nightly firefly walk.
The trick is to look for small opportunities to appreciate the season, said Peter Economou, an assistant professor of applied psychology at Rutgers University. “You do have to create them,” he added. “They won’t just fall into your lap.”
So I asked him and other experts for advice on how to savor the summer.
Create a summer ritual at work.
If you work indoors, see if you can move any tasks outside, such as taking a call or a meeting in the park, said Cal Newport, an associate professor of computer science at Georgetown University and the author of “Slow Productivity.”
Working outside, he said, varies your day, connects you to nature and can unlock more interesting thoughts.
If you can’t work outside, eat lunch outdoors, Dr. Economou added. On warm days, he said, sometimes he’ll take a break to watch pups at a nearby dog park.
You can also establish some low-key summer rituals at work, like a Friday night drink with co-workers, suggested Kandi Wiens, a workplace stress researcher at the University of Pennsylvania and the author of “Burnout Immunity.” Emphasize that it’s optional so no one feels pressured, Dr. Wiens said.
Or you could organize a potluck lunch where each person brings a favorite summer dish every week, Dr. Wiens added. (This corn and tomato salad recipe is my go-to.)
Seize the daylight.
If your work hours are flexible, ask your supervisor if you can come in an hour ahead, so you can leave earlier and enjoy the extra daylight hours, Dr. Economou suggested.
Since the sun sets later this time of year, your time after work “can feel like a whole extra day,” Dr. Newport said.
So during the summer, try to be “extra committed” to leaving work on time, he said. And remember to take your vacation time, even if you’re not going anywhere. Nearly half of U.S. workers don’t take their paid time off, according to a 2023 Pew Research Center survey.
Create a ‘fun file’ for weekends.
Try to approach your summer weekends with a vacation mind-set, said Mike Rucker, a behavioral scientist and the author of “The Fun Habit.” A 2021 study found that people who viewed their weekends as vacations reported greater happiness levels the following Monday.
Dr. Rucker suggested creating a “fun file” — a list of simple, achievable things you want to do this summer. Focus on day trips that you can do for a few hours.
And most communities, large and small, offer free or low-cost events during the summer — like outdoor concerts and festivals, Dr. Rucker added, so check your community newspaper, library or local government website.
Build in weekday summer pleasures.
Send a group text to your neighbors for a spontaneous meet-up at an ice cream truck, or host a weeknight dinner in your backyard or local park. “These activities foster a sense of togetherness and make the summer feel special,” Dr. Rucker said.
Or think of summer activities that you used to love as a kid, like riding a bike or playing basketball, added Dr. Wiens, and see if you can take them up again.
One summer treat that Dr. Newport gives himself is to leave work early on a particularly hot day to see a matinee. “There’s something about being in a movie when you know most people are still at work that magnifies the relaxation,” he said.
I’m going to take the experts’ advice and invite some co-workers to eat lunch on a bench outside. Maybe I’ll make it more festive and bring a batch of Katharine Hepburn’s brownies. Inside, it’s a sad desk lunch; outside, it’s a picnic.
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