Most of us look back on the school summer break with fondness, but what if we never outgrew it?
It’s hard to imagine a level of excitement that rivals that of a child on the verge of breaking up for the summer. In the past couple of weeks, children up and down the country celebrated (and parents resigned themselves to) the start of their long summer holidays – a time where play takes precedent as schools close until September.
A summer holiday is often one of the aspects of childhood that adults miss the most, but what if the tradition never ended? Is there an argument for adults receiving a summer break from the responsibilities of their day job?
Studies have shown that there are both mental health and productivity benefits to taking a break from work, but a summer shutdown can also result in chaos for businesses. Let’s take a closer look.
Why do children get a summer holiday?
The summer holidays offer children a break from academics, creating an opportunity for recreational enjoyment and learning. This means youngsters get to explore hobbies and interests that exist outside the curriculum, enhancing creativity and curiosity and fostering a love of learning away from formal education.
Children have more time for physical activity during the summer, from sports and camping to going on walks and simply exploring. These activities contribute to physical development, and provide them with experiences that can shape their understanding of the world.
And of course, the summer holidays give children more time to spend with family and friends, strengthening bonds and developing social skills – all of which can help to enhance emotional intelligence.
What are the benefits of a summer break for adults?
Creativity, hobbies, physical activity and social skills are all just as important for adults as they are for children, yet a work-focused society leaves little time to nurture these factors. Whether you travel or not, taking a break from work during the summer can lead to significant benefits.
Like children, adults need breaks for mental and physical rejuvenation. A summer holiday can reduce burnout, increase energy levels, and even improve productivity. It can also provide you with more time to spend with loved ones, forming relationships and creating shared memories.
On a larger scale, summer holidays lead to advantages for the tourism industry, which in turn creates new economic opportunities.
What are the challenges of a summer break?
Of course, the elephant in the room surrounding the notion of an adult’s summer break is that, with nobody working, services would effectively be unavailable for several weeks out of the year. Schools can close, but not every business can. Time-sensitive sectors would face disruptions, and small businesses would feel a strain due to a lack of staff flexibility.
Introducing summer breaks could highlight significant equality concerns, as a huge amount of planning and consideration would be necessary in order for essential services and 24/7 operations to be able to benefit from a fair system.
Is there a compromise to be found?
The introduction of a mandatory summer break for adults, across all industries and organisations at the same time, might be unlikely, but that doesn’t mean businesses should ignore the importance of recreational time for employees.
There are ways to compromise when it comes to work breaks, encouraging team members to rest up, rejuvenate and revitalise their passion for work.
Taking a flexible approach to breaks could mitigate challenges, allowing businesses and staff members to tailor their breaks to their needs. What’s more, an incremental introduction of breaks – within specific regions or sectors – could allow for gradual adjustments and careful planning, similar to the slow introduction of a 4-day week.
Final thoughts
Summer holidays are one of the highlights of childhood, but the lessons they impart should be carried with us well into our working lives. Rest, rejuvenation, family bonding and personal growth are all just as important in adulthood as they are in our younger years.
And while a summer holiday for adults may be a far-flung fantasy, engaging various stakeholders in dialogue and adopting flexible and incremental approaches may provide a pathway to explore this intriguing prospect.
In embracing the spirit of summer holidays that children enjoy, society may find new ways to foster a work culture that values mental health, family connections, and overall wellbeing.
Have you got a business you’d like to launch in 2023? Now is the time to make your business dreams a reality. Get in touch with the team at TEDCO Business Support today and find out how we can help you. Give us a call on 0191 516 61 02 or drop us an email at hello@tedco.org.