It’s been a long week, and you finally have two whole days to yourself. But now that the weekend is here, you find yourself feeling just as stressed as you were during the week. If this sounds familiar, don’t worry—you’re not alone. For many people, the weekends are a time to catch up on errands and chores, which can leave little time for relaxing and recharging.
Luckily, you can do a few simple things to ensure your weekends are truly restful. Here are four tips for relaxing your weekends and recharging for the work week:
Make a plan and stick to it
One of the worst things you can do for your stress levels is trying to wing it on the weekend. Without a plan, it’s all too easy to spend your time running around doing errands and crossing items off your to-do list.
Instead, sit down at the beginning of each weekend and map out what you’d like to accomplish. Be realistic about what you can accomplish in 48 hours, and include some fun activities in your plan, such as seeing a movie or hiking. Also, remember to factor in time for relaxation! Relaxation is just as important as crossing items off your to-do list. Once you have your list, put together a loose schedule and try your best to stick to it.
Get moving, but don’t overdo it
Exercise is a great way to reduce stress, but it’s important not to overdo it on the weekends. Spend your entire weekend running errands and doing chores. You’ll likely find yourself feeling just as exhausted as you were during the week. Instead of back-to-back activities, try structuring your days to have some downtime.
For example, if you want to go for a run on a Saturday morning, plan to do some light yard work in the afternoon so you can relax with a good book or movie in the evening. You can also get a massage to help your body recover from the long run. A massage can improve blood circulation and help your muscles recover more quickly. This way, you’ll be refreshed and ready to take on the week ahead.
Be sure to listen to your body and take breaks when you need them. Taking a few minutes to rest and recharge will help you get through your activities with less stress.
Take time for yourself without guilt
It’s common to feel guilty about taking time for yourself when there’s still so much to be done around the house or at work. But it’s important to remember that taking care of yourself is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. When you take the time to relax and recharge, you’ll be better able to handle whatever comes your way during the week.
When you make time for activities that make you happy and help you relax, you’ll be in a better frame of mind to tackle whatever comes your way during the week. For example, instead of feeling guilty about taking a long bath on a Saturday night, think of it as an investment in your mental health. You’ll be glad you did when you’re feeling refreshed and recharged on Monday morning. So go ahead and indulge in that bubble bath! Your mind and body will thank you.
Unplug from technology—at least part of the time
If our technology gives us power over others, it will be easy to become addicted to it. If people are not in control of technology, it starts to control the people. In today’s world, it’s all too easy to get sucked into our devices and neglect our relationships with family and friends—not to mention one self’s own mental well-being!
One way to reduce stress on the weekend is by taking time each day to disconnect from technology and reconnect with loved ones or simply enjoy peace and quiet. For example, you might want to put your phone on airplane mode for an hour while you take a walk or have coffee with a friend. Or, if you have the luxury of time, consider taking a digital detox for the entire day. This can be tough, but even disconnecting for a few hours can help you feel more present and relaxed. So, put away your phone, turn off your computer, and savor some quality face-to-face time or some much-needed alone time without distractions.
Hopefully, these tips will help you relax on weekends and recharge for the work week ahead. Remember, finding a balance between accomplishing things and taking time for yourself is essential. If you can do that, you’ll be sure to start the week feeling refreshed and ready to take on whatever comes your way.
