Rest and Recharge This Summer (Seriously—Go Lie Down.)

by Ken Rigel

Been going nonstop since January? Yeah... same. At this point, if your brain had a low-battery warning, it’d be flashing red and begging for a charger.

So let’s call it what it is: taking a break isn’t being lazy—it’s being smart. Whether it’s a big trip or a “no pants, no problem” kind of staycation, you need to hit pause.

What Happens When You Don’t Rest?

(Spoiler: nothing good.)

Your stress skyrockets.
You sleep like a raccoon in a rave.
Your brain can’t find the car keys… that are in your hand.
Every email feels like a personal attack.

And When You Do Rest?

Your brain works again.
You sleep like a rock.
You stop resenting your to-do list.
You become a problem-solving ninja.

So yeah—rest isn’t optional. It’s essential. Think of it like rebooting your internal Wi-Fi.

Not Sure Where to Start?

Here’s your low-key plan:

Check your calendar: Find a window where you can vanish without chaos.
Budget: You don’t need to blow thousands. Staycations can be fancy too—just add snacks.
Scout some ideas: Travel sites like wanderlog.com or skyscanner.com can help you find deals or at least kill an hour dreaming about it.

Need a little break? Canada’s Got You.

We live in a massive, beautiful country and there's never been a better time to explore our own backyard. There’s something for everyone. Here are a few spots to check out:

Northwest Territories

All the daylight, none of the darkness.
Water sports and wilderness.
Ideal if you love the sun and don’t mind bears.

Whistler

Hiking, golf, and the Cloudraker Skybridge (if you're cool with heights).
Bring your camera. Or at least your phone.

Manitoba

Camp under the stars.
Watch bison do their thing.
Maybe catch the northern lights if the universe is in a good mood.

Québec City

Walkable history.
Gorgeous architecture.
Poutine. Enough said.

Prince Edward Island

Lobster rolls for days.
Red beaches and golf courses.
It’s Anne of Green Gables land. Embrace it.

Ottawa

Biking, festivals, and the good ol’ Parliament buildings.
Bonus: chance of accidentally learning something.

Bottom line? Go relax. You’ve earned it. And if, while you’re off living your best vacation life, you stumble across a perfect little place and think, “Hey... I could live here,” I know people. I’ve got a network of rockstar agents across North America.

Now, close the laptop. Book the trip. Or at least the nap.