Creating a summer feeling at the office

The time for BBQs, endless summer evenings and enjoying the outdoors has arrived. Summer is here! Many people are on holidays and heading to sunny destinations. Will you be waiting until after the summer holidays to take time off? Whether it’s the slow season or a very busy time, you can still embrace the summer feeling, even if you’re working. Here you will find seven tips to help create a summer vibe in the office.

1. Create a summery atmosphere in the office

Let the sounds of Bob Marley’s “One Love” or Katrina and The Waves’ “Walking on Sunshine” spread summer vibes throughout your office space. Put together a playlist of summery tunes and share it with your colleagues. Or simply listen to it through your headphones if your colleagues object.

Besides music, you can also add a touch of summer with lush summer plants, reed diffusers or candles in enchanting scents like lavender, coconut, or citrus, and summery posters of the sea, sand and sun. Even if your influence is limited to your own desk, you can still make a difference with a small summer plant, an invigorating fragrance or a photo frame. Turn your office or workspaces into an oasis of summer fun!

2. Get some fresh air

Escape the office walls and embrace the outdoors! Make the most of your breaks by getting outside and enjoying the fresh air. Take a walk near your office, explore a nearby park, or find a quiet spot to relax and soak up some Vitamin D.

Why limit yourself to just your breaks? Move your brainstorming sessions, meetings and daily consultations outdoors too. Or combine a performance review with a relaxing walk. It’s possible to enjoy the fresh air and freedom of being outdoors during office hours!

3. Plan fun activities with colleagues

Use the summer months to strengthen your relationship with colleagues. Organise a fun company get-together, an (outdoor) lunch or barbecue, go for ice cream together, or organise an outdoor team-building activity.

These fun activities give you something to look forward to, strengthen team spirit and provide a welcome change from everyday office life.

4. Set goals for the summer (and after)

Use your summer energy to come up with some new ideas. Talk to colleagues, browse competitor websites, read blogs about your field, and listen to podcasts from personal development experts. What do you want to achieve, what energises you, what areas do you want to develop? Make a list of goals on your office whiteboard, let the summer vibes energise you and rejuvenate yourself!

5. Start work earlier

Make the most of sunny days and after-hours activities by starting work a little bit earlier. If you have the option of implementing flexible working hours, now’s the time to consider it. This way, you’ll be sure to make the most of the long summer days. Enjoy a picnic after work, exercise outdoors, relax on the patio or have a barbecue!

6. Clean up your workspace and replenish your supplies

Is your office a little quieter during the summer? If so, this is a great time to give your workspace a fresh look. Get rid of that unsightly pile of paper on your desk, tidy up cupboards and storage areas, and manage and organise your file folders. Follow our guide on ‘How to keep an office clean’ for the top 5 tips!

Take this as an opportunity to check your inventory and stock up if necessary! Stock up on office supplies for everyone, paper for all the printers, and make sure you have enough toner cartridges on the shelf! You can also stock up on cleaning supplies for the offices, canteen and bathrooms. This will make sure you’re not panicking about running out after the summer.

7. Enjoy your holiday to the fullest!

Are you going on holiday? The most important tip for a relaxed trip is to create a digital silence during your time off. This prevents you from being constantly “on” (with the risk of overload and burnout) and creates a space for true relaxation. To ensure you’re not bothered during your holiday, good preparation is essential.

1. Mention your annual leave period in your email signature well in advance. Contacts can then ask any questions before (or after) that time.
2. Set an out-of-office notification, stating when you’ll be away, that you won’t be reading your emails, and what the sender might be doing in the meantime.
3. If you are active on social media, then you should adjust your opening hours and post a holiday post. You can then pin this post by clicking the three dots in the upper right corner of the post and selecting “Pin Post”, or by holding the post and pinning it that way.

This way, you can close the office doors behind you with peace of mind. Enjoy your well-deserved rest!

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