Hi!
Is it summer where you are?
If you go by the calendar, we’re still a few days from June 21, the official beginning of summer.
If you work with or live with kids, just about everyone in North America is already on summer break.
If you go by the weather, some people have been in “summer” since March at least.
Whatever your metric, adults who were educated on an agrarian system – 9 or so months of school and 3 or so months of break – spend most of our adulthood subconsciously marking the years that way. And that has real value.
Breaks, vacation, “summer Fridays” or changed work hours help our brains reset. That’s right, there is neuroscience of summer vacation. More time spent outdoors helps strengthen our resilience to mental distress through increased levels of Vitamin D and even a moderate increase in exercise (like walking or swimming or hiking). And any change in your usual work routines or time spent in “novel environments” – new-to-you places – improve critical thinking, learning and memory.
So no matter what schedule you live on, make sure you get a little summer break in your life. It will do your brain some good.
Got any plans for June, July or August that are outside the usual? Comment and tell me!
All my best,
Dr. G
