Our workweeks can be incredibly demanding. So, when the weekend rolls around, we just want to relax and watch movies, or sleep, or shop impulsively — but still be well-prepared for a successful week ahead.
And we go on to do the same thing the following weekend. And the next.
However, by planning and utilising your weekend successfully, you can renew yourself, have fun and set yourself up for a great week ahead. You can have a relaxing and productive weekend.
Here are 10 ways to go about having an excellent weekend
1. Get up at the same time
This might not be what you wanted to hear. Sleeping late can mess up your sleep patterns, your mealtimes and it can, over time affect your health. Better to go to sleep at your usual hour and wake up at the same time. This will also improve your mid-week sleeping patterns to be able to manage a successful week.
Changing your sleep time disturbs your day-to-day rhythm. When sleeping, your body goes through a sequence of sleep phases to wake up rested and refreshed. When you sleep past your regular wake-up time on the weekend, you end up feeling groggy and tired. This messes up your day off and makes you less productive on Monday morning when you should be getting off to a great start.
2. Spend time out of doors
Deep down we all know that spending time outdoors is good for us. There’s something wholesome and restorative about being outside, whether it’s sunny or wet. Being outdoors has all kinds of health benefits, apart from being an enjoyable experience. Whether you go for a walk, climb a mountain, or sit on the veranda and read a book, being outside is good for you.
3. Reflect
The weekend is a good time for some personal reflection. It’s a time to take stock. Take a big picture look at your life, evaluate what is working for you. Identify and address areas of concern. It’s helpful to keep a journal to jot down your insights and keep track of your progress. This will help you determine whether you’re having a successful week based on your progress tracking.
4. Practice your passion
You have skills and abilities that help define who you are. They are the special interests that are a great way to escape stress and to open your mind to new ways of thinking. Things like playing music, reading, writing, painting, or even playing a ball game with your children can help stimulate new ways of thinking that will deliver dividends over the coming week.
5. Disengage
Our work world demands constant availability. A barrage of emails, voicemails and texts persistently assail us. Disconnecting from the wired world is an important weekend strategy. You have to get away from the constant demands of the workplace. Responding to texts and mails over the weekend prevents you from refocusing and recharging. Ideally, you should disengage for the entire weekend. But if you have to be connected, set aside limited time slots for mails and texts. And stick to them. The world won’t come to an end and the week will still be a success.
6. Manage chores
When we get to the weekend, we find that we have to go to the bank, buy clothes and groceries, get something from the hardware store and a host of other chores. When this happens, you lose the opportunity to relax and reflect. Doing chores can feel like work, and if you spend all weekend doing them, you just lost out on your weekend. Schedule your chores in the same way you would schedule anything else during the week, and if you don’t complete them in the allotted time, you move on and finish them the following weekend.
8. Exercise
Your hectic work pace means no time to exercise during the week. Even a little bit of exercise reduces stress. Exercise is a great way to come up with new ideas. It’s also a great way to be out of doors. Running, cycling, or gardening, releases endorphins into your body and makes you feel good. Find a physical activity that works for you and then make it part of your weekend routine. The success of your week may also be determined by how your body is responding to work strain.
8. Spend quality time with family
A person is a person because of other people. Weekdays are so hectic that the entire week can fly by with little quality family time. Don’t let this continue into your weekends. Following a successful week at work, take your kids to the park, take your spouse to his or her favourite restaurant, and visit your parents. Spending quality time with your family on the weekend is essential if you want to recharge and relax.
9. Plan micro-adventures
This is a fun thing! A micro-adventure can be anything fun or any unusual activity. Something out of the ordinary. Buy tickets to a concert or a play, or go to that trendy restaurant. Go to your local art gallery. Go for a hike in a nature area near your home. Anticipating an exciting activity is a significant part of what makes the activity pleasurable. It won’t just be a case of looking forward to what you are going to do on Saturday, but it will significantly improve your mood throughout the following week.
10. Prepare for a successful week ahead
You should absolutely relax at the weekend. But sometimes you have to prepare for the upcoming week. Try to do this on Saturday, rather than Sunday evening, so the task is not hanging over you. Thirty minutes of planning can yield significant gains in productivity and reduced stress. The week feels a lot more manageable when you go into it with a plan because then, all you have to focus on is the execution.
Conclusion
Weekends are there to help you refresh, refocus and revitalise. It’s a time to reconnect with yourself, with nature and with friends and family. Get the most out of your weekend by following these ten simple rules. Your weekends will be more fun, and what is more, your work weeks will be more more productive and successful.
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