Working during the weekend seems to be one of the unspoken rules in academia. In this column, Isabelle Kohler encourages young scientists to set clear boundaries and prioritize their health. She also invites supervisors to lead by example and support their employees in taking time off, since a well-rested mind is not only healthier but also great for coming up with new ideas.

I always enjoy this time of the year in the Netherlands: the days get longer, the sun comes out (sometimes), people start to flood the terraces, and many weekends are longer thanks to the numerous national and collective holidays. These extended weekends give me the perfect opportunity to reflect on the importance of downtime, especially in the demanding world of academia.

During my almost five-year PhD journey, I never went to the lab on weekends. The main reason? With a three-hour daily commute, leaving the house at 6 am and returning at 7 pm, I needed weekends to sleep and enjoy some social time. The only tasks I remember doing on weekends were grading student reports and writing my dissertation during the last few months of my PhD.