During the summer, many workplaces offer extra time off in the form of “summer Fridays,” when employees can work a shortened day or even take the day off entirely. Even if your job doesn’t offer that perk, summer is a popular season to use personal time off to give yourself a long weekend or even a midweek day off. Once you’ve tidied up your desk and set your out-of-office message, we’ve got some tips for making sure you enjoy your time off to the fullest!

Head out of town

Of course, one of the most popular ways to enjoy summer Fridays is by using the extra time to give yourself a long weekend away. It’s a great time to explore places a reasonable drive away — just pack up, head to your destination, check in to your hotel, AirBNB, or local lodgings, and enjoy the change of scenery. 

 

If you live in the city, try recharging with a few days surrounded by the peace and quiet of nature. If you’re more of a suburban type, you might enjoy spending some time seeing all that the nearest big city has to offer. No matter where you go, just getting away for a few days can be all you need to shake up your usual routine and surroundings and have a little adventure.

Make an at-home retreat

Sometimes, even a short trip just isn’t in the cards, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do something special with your time off anyway! Set your phone to “do not disturb,” and really lean in to giving yourself a weekend of nurturing self-care. Some things you might include:

 

• Order your favorite “only as a treat” takeout.
• Dive into that book that’s been on your TBR pile for too long.
• Put your favorite playlist on as a soundtrack. (Need inspiration? Check out EQ’s Chill Girl Summer playlist!)
• Indulge in an evening wind-down routine for restorative, luxurious sleep. Take your Sleep Gummies, relax in the bath with our Mindful Mineral Soak, and do some gentle stretches to get your body and mind ready for a good night’s sleep.

Be a tourist in your own city

Can’t get away but really need to get out of the house? Consider taking a look at where you live with fresh eyes. While we busily go about our day-to-day lives, we often miss a lot of what makes the cities or towns we live in so great. Take the weekend to explore local attractions, check out some interesting or niche museums, try a new restaurant, or even just spend some time in local parks or other green spaces. You just might find a new favorite thing to love about where you live!

Pursue a new interest

Have you been meaning to learn a new language, get into upcycling old furniture, or try your hand at a different kind of art? The extra time you gain from summer Fridays can also be used productively, for something that benefits you and your spirit rather than your job. Dedicate that out-of-office time to new fulfilling pursuits and remind yourself that there’s always something new to learn and enjoy.

Need some more ideas for how to unwind and relax this summer? Check out our suggestions for the ultimate Chill Girl Summer, and stock up on our Chill Girl Summer essentials for everything you need to make the most of your personal time off.