Do you spend every Friday night celebrating the arrival of the weekend, only to spend Sunday evening wondering where all the time went? It's even more difficult in the current situation when you're working from home the entire week and then also home the entire weekend. But we can still make the most of it! If you’re starting each week feeling less than refreshed, here’s how to use your weekend to set yourself up for a better week ahead.
Go offline
There’s nothing satisfying or productive about spending an entire weekend scrolling through Instagram or the news. Use the weekend to have time away from your emails and social media and keep yourself in the moment. Try to go a weekend without scrolling Facebook or checking your work emails. Just enjoy the moment. Be fully present with your friends and family (on your online meets) or enjoy some time to yourself.
Get outside
If you’re trying to stay off the booze and want a healthy way to socialise, go for a walk and chat with your friends on the phone. A walk outside together (while not together in the physical sense) is a great way to catch up, bond and get some exercise at the same time. A walk outside on a sunny day can be invigorating and uplifting.
Don’t over plan
Leave time for spontaneity and make sure you have time for yourself. Read a book, take a nap or just watch some good TV. At least part of your weekend should be devoted to rest, allowing you to recover from the week that was.
Set aside time for chores
It’s no use ignoring the to-do list. It will keep building up and will just leave you more stressed when you don’t get everything done. Try to do all the errands like paying bills, etc as soon as possible so you can tick them off the list and enjoy the rest of your weekend care-free. You’ll feel so much better once they’re done.
Pursue a passion
Do something just for fun. It doesn’t have to be work related, or something useful. Just something that you really enjoy. Maybe it’s an online art class, Spanish classes via an app, salsa lessons on youtube, or a macrame tutorial. Anything that brings you joy and also gives you a sense of achievement.
Don’t sleep in
While it’s tempting to try to catch up on sleep on the weekend, sleeping in until lunch time will throw your sleep patterns completely off track, leaving you more sleep deprived than before. These sleep ins are also what makes it so hard to then go back to waking up early again when Monday rolls around.
Write down your goals
As Sunday evening sets in, spend some time organising your thoughts. Using a journal is a great way to remind yourself what you’re working towards and keep yourself accountable. Start by reflecting on the week that was and reminding yourself of all of the great things that happened. Then write down your goals for the coming week as well as a plan of how to achieve them.
Meditate
Get yourself in a clear headspace and help start your week on a positive note with a Sunday evening meditation. Sit or lie down somewhere quiet and spend a few moments watching your breath come and go. Then move through your body and consciously relax each and every muscle. There are also many free meditation apps out there – find one you like the sound of and give it a whirl. You never know, you may come away with a regular evening routine. You’ll have a great sleep and wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on a new week!
