By Our Correspondent
Why do we wonder on Monday where the weekend went? Are you struggling to spend a relaxing weekend? In fact, you often think to yourself, “I feel like I don’t even have time to relax!”
Most people see Saturday and Sunday as a time to catch up on things they haven’t had time to do during the week: having fun, seeing loved ones, and starting over five days later.
This routine can leave you as gutted on Monday morning as you felt on Friday afternoon.
So how do you relax and rejuvenate on weekends without feeling exhausted on Monday? Here’s how to spend a relaxing weekend.
How to make sure your weekend is relaxing
1. Stop sleeping late.
While you might be tempted to do so, sleeping all morning will rob you of precious time to get out and make the most of your weekend. This is especially pronounced in winter when the daylight hours are shorter. Sleeping late could be the difference between going out on an adventure and sitting inside watching reruns of Friends.
In fact, it will end up interfering with your sleep schedule for the rest of the week, making you even more exhausted. If you’re really tired, take a nap during the day.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go out for a drink on a Friday night with your friends. Just avoid the temptation to watch Netflix or spend hours in the den staring at your phone screen checking Instagram feeds.
2. Stop working
That’s right, in fact, give work a break. To have a relaxing weekend, you need to make a conscious decision at 5:00 p.m. on Friday to stop working and start relaxing. Of course, emergencies can happen, but don’t let that become a habit. Create boundaries at work and stick to them. Otherwise, you risk getting burned.
Imagine moving from the “work version” of yourself to the relaxed, carefree “weekend version” of yourself. Relax, without the guilt.
3. Disconnect from social networks and smartphones.
Being constantly connected weakens your focus, draining you of precious energy at a time when you’re trying to relax and, sorry for the pun, recharge.
4. Plan ahead, but also go with the flow.
Get a good balance. You can look forward to future activities and have plans in place, but also be flexible without packing too much on the weekends.
5. Get out of your comfort zone.
Monotony can make even the most relaxing weekend boring, and what else is more exhausting than that?
Challenge yourself with new physical or intellectual activities. Make your weekends different each week.
Think of a “vacation home” weekend: imagine you are a tourist in your own town or village. Maybe there are some cool places you’ve never visited that are just minutes from your home!
6. Set aside an hour of “nothing”
For years, I have scheduled a morning or afternoon every weekend to be completely without plans.
It might sound boring, but it’s a healthy way to reload myself and hit the “Reset” button. I know I don’t have to be anywhere, do anything, or be accountable to anyone, and that’s very satisfying.
Take at least an hour to be completely selfish and complacent.
7. Don’t put off all your chores or errands for the weekend.
It can be tempting to postpone household chores until Sunday, but resist the urge. Doing this will only stress you out when trying to decompress. Eliminate some of your chores during the week so you can relax on the weekends. And if you still have a lot of them, try to spread them out a bit and then reward the achievement with something fun.
8. Fight the “Sunday Blues”.
Is it difficult for you to enjoy the weekend because you fear the work week that awaits you?
Remember that you are wasting an entire day of your life every time you do this. May your Sunday be relaxing and rewarding.
And above all, know that these days are yours. Make them different and special and allow yourself a relaxing weekend.
