Summertime Activities: Seesaw or Balance Beam?

Back in January, our New Year’s blog focused on practicing self-care.  (Need a refresher?  Click here: January Blog )  Now that we’re moving into summer, it’s a good time to remember that while we strive to maintain the routines around executive function that we’ve worked to establish during the school year, it’s also important to strike a balance between routine and relaxation.  To put it in playground terms, think balance beam, not seesaw.

Routines suffer when we don’t keep practicing.  Letting everything go during the summertime almost always means some backslide in study habits, and a period of catch-up as school begins.  But on the other end of the scale (or seesaw, as the case may be), maintaining the same strict routines during the summer that we put into place during the school year denies us the opportunity to relax and recharge.  And we’re not just talking about our kids.  Adults need a break, too!

It sounds counterintuitive to “schedule” down time (unless you’re an executive function nerd like we are!) but making sure that there is ample time to enjoy a hobby, a sport, a good book, or even doing nothing at all, is important.  In fact, multiple studies show that making more time for downtime is helpful for creativity, productivity, and mental health.  (See this article for more of the science behind rest and relaxation.)  As adults, we can model taking time to do things we love and show our kids that it’s okay to make time for the non-academic activities that they love, too.

Need more ideas about how to both maintain a schedule and find time for fun?  Check out this article from Additude Magazine for four easy and fun ways to keep up with executive function over the summer: How to Hone Executive Functioning Skills This Summer: 4 Fun, Easy Ideas

And finally, be sure to check out our June Facebook Discussion, as well.  Our EEG coaches sat down for a panel discussion with Kathy to talk about ways to find balance during the summer.  Be sure to browse our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Essigedu to find this and other helpful information and videos.