Summer vacations, especially as kids, were all about being away from school work. No early morning alarms (remember hitting the snooze button and then rushing around to get ready). No sitting in hot classrooms trying to learn. No restrictions or teachers’ unreasonable rules. (Pretty sure the teachers enjoyed the summer more than we did too!) Just time to play with an open day and lots of adventures.
As adults, we try to recapture this same freedom with long weekends and vacations. We want to catch our breath after months of deadlines, meetings, and busy schedules. It’s our recovery from work stress.
But what if we thought about it differently? Instead of just recharging, what if we saw time off as an investment in ourselves for our next level of achievement? There is a balance between reset and propel. Rest is essential, but its greatest value may not be in helping us recover from yesterday. Its real power is preparing us for tomorrow.
Vacations (and weekends) aren’t just recovery mechanisms, they’re launchpads.
As the fall season approaches, ask yourself “What is the single biggest thing I want to accomplish when I return?” Whether it’s preparing for a new school year, launching a major project, strengthening a client relationship, or developing a new skill—having a clear goal provides a different sense of purpose to your downtime. You’re not just pressing pause; you’re preparing to move forward with greater clarity, intention, and energy.
Research supports this mindset shift. Studies have found that time spent in nature can reduce stress, improve mood, enhance creativity, and restore our ability to focus. Even a short walk through a park, sunbathing (in the shade!) at the beach, kayaking on a quiet lake, or a hike in the mountains can lower cortisol levels and improve mental well-being. Nature offers something our busy schedules often don’t—the opportunity to slow down enough for our minds to reset and our perspectives to expand to propel us forward. The change of pace makes space for new and different thoughts about what is important.
Equally important is spending meaningful time with family and friends, or simply carving out moments for yourself. Whether it’s reading a book you’ve been putting off, enjoying a morning coffee without rushing, pursuing a favourite hobby, or having uninterrupted conversations with the people who matter most, these experiences replenish more than just our energy. They strengthen our resilience, creativity, and sense of purpose.
When we intentionally recharge, we return with sharper thinking, better decision-making, renewed motivation, and a greater capacity to contribute. We don’t just work harder – we work smarter because we’ve given ourselves the space to reflect, reconnect, and refocus.
So, as you enjoy the rest of the summer, give yourself permission to fully disconnect from work when you can. Spend time in places that energize you. Connect with the people who lift you up. Make room for activities that bring you joy and perspective. However you choose to recharge, make it meaningful so that you can pick back up on your goals with renewed momentum.
The best vacations don’t simply help us recover from where we had been—they prepare us for where we’re going!
