May is here, which means that it’s almost officially summertime (seriously, could 2018 be flying by any quicker?). For many of us, Memorial Day weekend kicks off more than just the start of a new season – it also almost always seems to bring about a period of decreased productivity and motivation. In fact, there is a name for this phenomenon: the summer slump, brought about by melting temperatures outside, freezing temperatures in the office, plenty of summertime distractions and a burning desire to drop all tasks at hand. As this article from Forbes notes, if you are a victim, rest assured that you are not alone. An infographic produced by the virtual phone system for entrepreneurs Grasshopper shows that a quarter of office workers across the country feel unproductive during the summer.
With summer right around the corner, now is the perfect time to remind ourselves of some tips that can help us stay productive over the next few months and avoiding falling victim to the summer slump. Here are a few examples.
- Keep your work environment at an optimal temperature. The soaring summer temperatures can make people feel lazy and unmotivated, but it’s not just the outdoor temperature that matters. As shown in this great infographicfrom LifeHacker, people are most productive at temperatures between 70 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Stay hydrated. You’re even more inclined to suffer from dehydration during the summertime, so it’s more important than ever to drink plenty of water. It’s essential for more than just your physical wellbeing – dehydration can make you feel sleepy and light-headed, which isn’t going to help you crank out work.
- Get outdoors. Just because you have a job, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the beautiful summertime weather. A quick 10 minute walk outside or taking your lunch break at a local park instead of at your desk can do wonders for your mental health and productivity.
- Take a vacation. All work and no play makes for a severely unhappy person. Things tend to slow down over the summer, so take advantage of this temporary lull and book a trip. If traveling isn’t an option, take a few vacation days to have a staycation and prioritize relaxing.
