Forget coffee. A summer Friday is the next best perk for employees.
Imagine a bright summer Friday. Where are you? Stuck in the office? Don’t you wish you could runaway to the beach, or to your couch for Netflix just a few hours early?
Some employees are so lucky. More and more companies in the U.S., particularly New York City, are adding half-days off every Friday from Memorial Day to Labor Day. New York City is like the sibling who gets everything first. In this case: Hand it down to everyone! Happy employees are productive employees, after all.
Some argue that taking half Fridays throughout the summer encourages bosses to cut vacation days and other perks. Those people are sticks in the mud, in the only country that doesn’t guarantee paid days off and provide fair maternity leave. So, do you just take what you can get?
Pass the coffee pot, please.
If you’re lucky to have Summer Fridays, it’s time to take advantage. Here are five ways to make the most of a summer Friday:
1. Get out of dodge, and climb a freaking mountain.
Drive thirty minutes or two hours. Climb a mountain. See new horizons.
You’ll feel pumped and have gained a whole new perspective, literally.
Even if it’s not a mountain, Find a trail near you, and set out to conquer it.
2. Clean out your closet, you slob.
Put on some rock, metal or that somewhat embarrassing playlist of boy bands and classic Britney. You’ll need trash bags or boxes for sorting. Cleaning out your closet can be easy and fun. Know where things will go, and grill yourself hard on every item in your closet.
You’ll need a bandana, because you’ll be rocking what’s in your closet. When you’re done, it’ll be like you have a whole new wardrobe.
3. Challenge a co-worker to a water balloon duel!
While it may be fun to pummel a co-worker with water balloons with no warning, it’s probably in your best interest to not. There are water balloon fight rules for a reason: Chaos prevention and chivalry. Issue a proper challenge to duel.
Staple a water balloon to a piece of paper with a hastily scribbled note: “I challenge thee, Megan, to a water balloon duel! High noon, on summer Friday.” Be prepared to build an army. The Great Water Balloon War is nigh.
4. Go on a quest in search of the elusive NAP.
It’s a tricky thing, and you must wait patiently. You must be very still to encounter an afternoon nap.
Burrito-wrap your body in blankets. Snuggle up so that you blend into the covers. Close your eyes. Remember this vital rule: Set no alarms.
5. Explore a new area of where you live.
Ever been downtown, to the southside or westside? Wanted to try a new restaurant or look at the botanical gardens, but don’t know the area well? Grab a friend and go. The Yelp app knows all, or just trust your feet.
6. Invent new constellations while camping.
Get a head start in the afternoon, and plan an impromptu camping trip. Go with friends, a partner or solo for an illuminating night beneath the stars.
Find a campground to stay at overnight. Most reservations are under $20.00 a night, and all you need are the basics. Pack tasty snacks, especially ingredients for s’mores.
While certain apps help you identify the stars, It’s better to make up your own, such as the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
7. Actually go to the gym.
You know the one—that you hide from in the car as you pass. You’ve had the membership for months, and now only manage to go once every other week.
Go to Zumba. Sweat it out, but remember to hydrate.
8. Pay the bills online, and then watch pet videos.
When you get home, grab those bills you’ve stashed away for Monday (the day of doing all the painful adulting things). Google the websites for your rent, cell phone, power, water and other utility payments. Pay the things.
Then, watch pet videos. Addictive, hilarious and too adorable pet videos. It’s a rewards system, and makes Monday look less painful.
It’s important to recharge and inspire the rest of your life, too. Not everything is work, work, work, work, work.
All hail, Summer Fridays, the best work perk next to coffee! You may not even need coffee on Fridays, unless you want to spend your half-day drinking it and people-watching at a little shop downtown.
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