Daniel Wolfram
The weekend is upon us. Here are three good pieces of advice from experts on how to enjoy your weekend to the fullest.
Taking time off is not just a luxury.
Experts stress that stepping away from daily labor allows the human body to restore energy lost during demanding work shifts.
Tracy Dumas, an associate professor at the Ohio State University, noted that “any break from work, [whether] vacations, weekends or even after work in the evening, is incredibly important for recovery.”
Dr. Mike Sevilla, a family physician in Ohio, echoed that sentiment. “People need physical time and space to relax and recharge their mind and body after a long work week,” Sevilla told HuffPost.
Resetting the brain
Leaving two entire days without any plans often leads to a wasted weekend. Schedule a fun outing or a small trip ahead of time to keep your weekend from slipping away.
“You can make the most out of your weekend by planning to do activities that you enjoy,” said Alayna L. Park, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Oregon.
Park added that scheduling events boosts weekday morale too. “Making enjoyable plans in advance can also give you something to look forward to during a hectic workweek,” Park said.
Screen time also warps how fast time moves. Putting down the smartphone allows people to engage with real life, whether by picking up an old book or taking a walk outside.
Breaking the routine
Rest requires doing something separate from office tasks. If your job keeps you at a computer desk, spend Saturday playing music or running outdoors instead.
“Engage in activities that draw on a completely different set of resources than your work,” Dumas said. She also warned against spending the entire break sleeping in.
“Rest is important, but staying on the couch or in bed all weekend isn’t as helpful,” Dumas explained.
Finally, put away your work laptop. “Keeping work out of sight and out of mind can help make the weekend feel a little longer,” Sevilla said. Shut down your work email, stow away the laptop, and protect your personal time.
