The psychologist explained why employee productivity decreases in the summer.

      May 27, 2026 08:40 Society The end of spring and summer often become a period of decreased productivity among employees, when thoughts of changing professions or jobs arise more frequently. Maria Khalak, a candidate of psychological sciences, associate professor of the Department of General and Clinical Psychology, and head of the Psychological Service of PIMU, explained the reasons for this phenomenon to the editorial office of NIA "Nizhny Novgorod." According to the specialist, the middle of the year becomes a point of reassessment for many: people compare their expectations and plans with reality, summarize interim results, and contemplate possible changes. Seasonal dynamics of the work process also have an additional impact. In some teams, the workload decreases in summer due to vacations and a general decline in business activity. In others, on the contrary, employees have to take on additional responsibilities, covering for absent colleagues. In both cases, feelings of fatigue and dissatisfaction may intensify. Summer is traditionally associated with rest, renewal, and change. Against the backdrop of vacations and conversations about travel, everyday work begins to feel more monotonous. Maria Khalak notes that emotional burnout is also subject to seasonal fluctuations. The first peak usually occurs at the end of winter - beginning of spring, and the second - at the end of spring and beginning of summer. "This is related to the fact that the body adjusts to the seasonal decline in activity, as nature slows down in the heat. But professional demands do not decrease, and a person begins to experience a conflict between the biological need for rest and the necessity to work. It turns out that if vacation is planned for July-August, then in June burnout will reach its maximum due to the 'last push' effect," the specialist emphasized. According to the psychologist, the decrease in productivity during the summer period is explained by both physiological reasons and changes in the work rhythm. Some employees go on vacation, business activity decreases slightly, and the anticipation of rest distracts from current tasks. The expert also points out the difference between those who take vacations and those who continue to work without a full break. In the first case, people more often notice signs of overwork in time and allow themselves to recover. In the second case, they often continue to work due to financial reasons, tight deadlines, or the habit of always being busy. However, vacation does not always completely solve the problem of burnout. Sometimes, after a break, the contrast between the state outside of work and the work routine is felt particularly acutely, and upon returning, some decide to change jobs. As Maria Khalak emphasizes, in summer, thoughts about professional changes are related not only to fatigue but also to the desire to reassess one’s lifestyle and find a more balanced ratio of work and personal time. Earlier, Nizhny Novgorod residents were told why communication online is more exhausting than face-to-face meetings. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay informed about major events, exclusive materials, and timely information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod." When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+