Summer, which comes right after spring, gets really hot, and there are lots of things to do outside. Summers in the 1950s, 60s, 70s, and 80s were more likely to be cool in the UK, but now extreme heat is becoming more common, so hot summers have become normalised with the growing impact of the climate crisis. The planning process typically begins in the fall, so if you haven’t had time yet, consider how your plans will affect your financial situation, emotional needs, and professional development. Do you want to be close to your family? Or are you interested in going for a swim (even if it’s just an inflatable backyard pool)?
Whether you have scheduled or unscheduled time, you can amuse yourself. For example, you can teach yourself a new skill, such as social media marketing, which is slowly but surely crushing traditional marketing ploys. Equally, you could make a reading list to expand your vocabulary, build your confidence, and develop the brain, amongst others. Planning ahead of time allows for better organisation and prioritisation of tasks, not to mention that you can identify potential obstacles and find proactive solutions. Some of the smartest people you’ll come across struggle with convincing themselves to do one thing – deciding what they’re going to do.
Taking A Summer Holiday Isn’t Just A Luxury, It’s A Real Necessity
Taking a summer vacation gives you much-needed time off from work so you can recharge your physical and mental batteries, coming back to the office with renewed energy and focus. Missing even one year of vacation is associated with a higher risk of heart disease, the leading cause of death in the European Union, especially concerning heart attacks and strokes. Above all, you’ll have new experiences that will broaden your horizons and give you the chance to learn and practice communication across cultural contexts. If you respond to phone calls or emails on your time off, you set a precedent, so do your best to detach from work.
There Are Things On Your Bucket List You’re Still Getting Around To
The standard point of reference for a summer well-spent varies from individual to individual, yet regardless of how you would describe it, everyone deserves to go on a trip of a lifetime. Still, you shouldn’t rush to get certain things done. Indeed, summer isn’t around the corner, but chances are you’re already looking for a well-deserved break, and making a bucket list is easier than completing activities. Perhaps you dread the summer heat, insects, and noise. In that case, you find the clear blue sky utterly impressive. If you don’t have any vacation plans, here are some fun recommendations to help you relax, refresh, and enjoy every moment:
Ride A Rollercoaster
If you’re a thrill-seeking extrovert, you’ll genuinely enjoy the ups and downs. Some roller coasters even include elements that send passengers upside-down, meticulously designed with a combination of gravity, centripetal force, and momentum to ensure riders are safe at all times. According to Statista, The Big One at Blackpool Pleasure Beach is the longest rollercoaster in the UK – the ride length is approximately 5.5 thousand feet. Though triggering the flight or fight response is essential for some theme park enthusiasts, there’s another reason why most of us love rollercoasters: speed. We experience flow when we’re challenged but not overwhelmed, becoming completely absorbed and not noticing time passing.
Enjoy A Swim In The Sea
Instead of spending all your time indoors in a confined air-conditioned room, why don’t you cool yourself in the water? Many are looking to make the most of the British weather and head to the country’s beaches or rivers, but attention must be paid to the fact that rivers don’t benefit from the natural disinfection that takes place in salty coastal waters. You’ll need a foldable beach bag, two bathing suits, and a plastic bag to store your possessions/electronics so they don’t get wet. A woman can wear a sarong as a scarf or a cover-up, whereas a man can wear a t-shirt or button down with their swimsuits.
There’s nothing worse than going to the beach and being completely unprepared with nothing to wear. While it’s straightforward to figure out the clothes you need when grabbing dinner or drinks, going shopping, or attending a seminar, it can be a little more difficult to know what to throw on when going swimming. Swim shorts are ideal if you live 25 minutes from the nearest beach, so scroll through online stores, view collections of great pieces such as the Orlebar Brown bulldog collection, and decide what you want to buy. Men buy, and women shop. Men are on a mission to buy a targeted item and flee as quickly as they can, unlike women, who are more invested in the shopping experience.
Seek Out Birds And Butterflies
Not only is birdwatching a great hobby, but it also allows you to see the world through a different lens. You can find all kinds of birds in your garden, such as the robin, the great tit, the goldfinch, the coal tit, etc., which can be tricky to tell apart. If you happen to spot one, write down as many details as you can, including its appearance, song, location, and behaviour. Unfortunately, for many in the UK, 2024 was a year with a low number of butterflies, and it’s likely that fewer eggs will have been laid. But don’t give up too soon – butterflies appear when you least expect them.
Wrapping It Up
The right time to start planning your summer vacation is now, as you have something to daydream about during the cold months of the year to stay positive and focused instead of becoming indolent and miserable. Everyone can benefit from having a little something to look forward to. Use some kind of scheduling system, whether it’s pen and paper or a calendar app, to make managing your time a breeze, no matter what you have to do. Don’t find yourself sitting around the house doing nothing all day long. While everyone else is lying on the beach, don’t lie on the couch.