Ah, summer. The time for hanging out with your friends, seeing new places, and making new memories… at least when we were younger. Before online jobs became popular, most of us would be too busy with work to find time to enjoy summer. Besides, who’d want to go out when it’s so hot outside?
But that was before remote work. Now, you’re no longer confined to an office, nor a fixed schedule, to do your job anymore. That said, now that you have the opportunity to enjoy summer, where should you start? To help you with this, here are five summer activities that you may want to try out this year.
Take Your Dream Summer Vacation.
Let us start with, perhaps, the activity we’ve all been wanting to do ever since the pandemic began: which is to travel outside again. If you’re already tired of sitting around all day, now’s the time to take that summer vacation you’ve always wanted. Aside from being boring, sitting for a long time can also lead to physical and mental health problems.
Now that many areas are now on alert level one, the question now is, where should you go? Honestly, the answer depends on you. Want to escape the heat? Why not go to Baguio or Tagaytay? Want to commune with nature again after two years? Palawan is waiting for you. Don’t want to go too far? Rizal park’s the perfect place for a family picnic, you know.
Before going to your dream destination, remember to get yourself and your loved ones fully vaccinated. Despite the re-opening of these tourist destinations, Covid is still out there, you know. Remember to follow all health and safety protocols during your trip to ensure your family and others’ safety.
Discover a New Hobby.
Another activity worth trying this summer is finding yourself a new hobby. Aside from being fun, having a hobby also makes you resistant to depression and stress. A hobby can also improve your confidence and self-worth as well.
No two hobbies are the same, so don’t be ashamed of doing what you enjoy, so long as it’s not illegal, of course. If you’re someone like me, who prefers to stay indoors and rest during summer, why not give reading or playing video games a shot? Not a fan of reading? You can try out dancing or playing a new musical instrument.
Hone Your Skills and Learn New Ones.
Yeah, this one might strike some of you as out of place. Why would I include this in an article about having fun during summer, right? Well, aside from the fact some enjoy learning new things, having a generalist skillset is a great asset when working or job hunting.
That said, you shouldn’t limit your learning to work skills alone. Yes, it’s good to be more proficient and versatile in your work. But you’re not working the entire day, are you? Why not expand your other life skills as well? Skills such as cooking and conducting basic home repairs are just as essential as your work skills now that you’re working remotely.
Give Yourself Time to Rest.
With how hectic everyday life is today, everyone needs some time to recharge and regain their strength, right? So why not take a break instead this summer? Contrary to what some believe, resting improves your efficiency and mental health. After all, how can you work well when you’re running on caffeine and three hours of sleep?
When talking about getting some rest this summer, I’m not just talking about sleeping and laying down all day. Why not try out exercising to get back into shape after two years of being a couch potato? You can also try doing some self-reflection during this time as well. Doing so lets you see your life and career’s current direction and what your plans are for the future.
Hit the Beach With Your Loved Ones.
Finally, this list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning every Filipino’s favorite summer activity: swimming at the beach. Nothing feels more refreshing during the hot summer days than taking a swim to cool off. Going to the beach is also a great way to bond with your loved ones, particularly those you haven’t seen in person these past two years.
With so many pristine beaches in the Philippines, where should you go for your beach trip? Well, there’s always the beautiful white sand beaches of Boracay, now reopened after it was rehabilitated last 2018. There’s also the beaches of El Nido, Palawan, for those who want to experience a different beach from Boracay.
As I previously mentioned, don’t forget to ensure that you and everyone else going with you to the beach are fully vaccinated before going. While staying on the beach, be sure to continue following all health and safety rules so you can enjoy your trip.
Have Fun Under the Sun!
And we are done! Here are the five activities you should try this summer as a remote worker. With Covid restrictions finally starting to loosen, now is the perfect time to accomplish your much-delayed summer plans or discover new activities to try out. I sure hope this article helped you make the most of summer 2022. Good luck, and have fun under the sun!