Summer is usually the time when people look forward to relaxing on the beach or their favorite vacation spot with family and friends. As business owners, when the time comes for vacation, it’s usually long overdue. Vacations are opportunities for rejuvenating both the body and mind, while reconnecting with friends along the way. But, they also take a lot of preparation, traveling, and planning. Have you ever come back from vacation needing another one? Us, too. It seems pretty commonplace to take a lot of vacation time at once for maximum enjoyment. But, more often people are choosing to take one or two days off at the end of the week, and it makes sense. Taking a long weekend to travel to a nearby city, or even use it for a “staycation” is a great way to reap the benefits of a traditional vacation without all of the planning and stress. However, it can be easy to let a day off go to waste by not having a plan on how you want to use it. The next time you decide to make it a long weekend or even take a sporadic day off during the week, here are some tips on how to make the most of it. Personal Productivity For a lot of us, a busy week is a normal week where a lot of tasks get forgotten and go undone. It’s important to feel productive, even on a day off. So, the next time you have a spare day, try focusing on the things you’ve put to the side. Maybe you need a whole day dedicated to cleaning your house, catching up on laundry, or prepping meals to make the week to come a little easier. Free days are also great for other tasks like getting an oil change or calling a home repair man to fix the dishwasher that’s been broken for the past month. Catch up on the things that are easy to forget about and you’ll spend your day feeling productive and ready to get back to the office. Social Time Vacations help people relax because they are traditionally spent with other people like friends or family members. Try taking a small road trip with some friends for a long weekend. Check out a new city or retreat to your favorite nearby destination. If you don’t have a weekend to spare, even making a lunch date will keep your spirits high and decrease your chances of feeling burnt out. Rest and Relaxation A lot of us look forward to vacationing because at times, it’s really nice to have nothing on your schedule. If you need a moment to decompress, consider taking a day to do nothing. Watch movies, take naps, spend time reading a book, or take a workout class. Spend this day doing things you like or that you don’t have time for anymore. At Quadrivium Advisors, we know it’s not easy to get away. Between raising a family, keeping up with friends, and running a business, time is short. But, don’t forget to take care of yourself by taking time off to do the things that make you happy.