Beat the Summer Slump: 5 Wellness Habits That Actually Boost Your Productivity
The summer season is always an exciting time; especially with the 8 month long winters here in Minnesota. Nothing beats a lake day, working outside or just sitting our and enjoying the balmy weather. But with all of these activities, theres room for productivity dip and distraction. Research on workplace heat shows that as temperatures climb, cognitive function, alertness, and concentration all take a hit. Some studies estimate productivity losses of 0.3% to 10% for every 1°C increase in heat index, and as many as 81% of workers report heat-related productivity loss during summer months.
The good news is, the same season that saps focus also hands you the tools to protect it. Here are five wellness habits, easy to build into a day at ModernWell, that keep your energy and your output high all summer long.
1. Take real breaks, not scroll breaks
It's tempting to power through, especially when the to-do list is long. But the research is consistent: short, intentional breaks improve performance rather than steal time from it. Studies have found that regular short breaks can boost overall performance by roughly 25% and cut burnout by close to a third, with routine breaks linked to a 20% increase in productivity and a 15% boost in creativity compared to working straight through.
The key word is intentional. A five- to ten-minute break, away from your screen, resets your focus far more than an unconscious scroll through your phone at your desk. Taking a walk or a quick reading break are great ways to decompress without mindlessly doomscrolling.
2. Move your break outside
If you're going to step away, step outside. Time in nature measurably lowers stress and improves mood, and outdoor activity appears to intensify those effects compared to an indoor break. Grab a coffee and take it to the patio, or walk a loop around the block between meetings. ModernWell's outdoor spaces at both the Minneapolis and Wayzata locations are built for exactly this. Make a habit of using this time to step away from any stress or anxiety. Use these as part of your workday, not just your lunch break.
3. Self-pace instead of pushing through the heat
On genuinely hot days, working at the same intensity you would in February isn't realistic, and trying to is what tanks productivity. Research on heat and performance points to self-pacing (adjusting your work rate and task intensity to the temperature) as one of the most effective ways to sustain output through a hot stretch. Save your heaviest focus work for the cooler morning hours, and shift lighter, lower-stakes tasks (email, admin, planning) to the warmer part of the afternoon.
4. Protect your sleep as the days get longer
Longer daylight hours and a fuller summer social calendar make it easy to quietly lose sleep, and under-slept brains are measurably worse at concentration and decision-making. Your circadian rythym allows your body to fully reset, so going to bed at the same time every night and making sure you’re getting a goodnights sleep is A consistent wind-down time, even a slightly earlier one than you'd choose left to your own devices, pays off the next day at your desk.
5. Hydrate before you're thirsty
Mild dehydration alone is enough to blunt concentration and mood, and it creeps up fast in summer heat. Keep water at your workstation and treat it as part of your setup, the same way you would your laptop charger.
The takeaway
None of this requires a total schedule overhaul — just a few small shifts that work with the season instead of against it. That's the idea behind ModernWell: a space designed to support your whole self, so the way you work in July can be just as focused as the way you work in January.
Looking for a place to put these habits into practice? Come take a break, and get some real work done, at ModernWell in Minneapolis or Wayzata.
