It’s amazing how quickly our daily routine gets thrown out the window over a weekend. No one says you should wake up at 5.30am on Saturday and swan dive into spreadsheets like you’ve probably been doing for the last five days but here are some easy and (mostly) enjoyable things to do that will keep you productive and will make Monday less of a torture after a far too lazy weekend.
Wake up early. Sleeping in after a busy week seems so appealing yet we hardly get anything done when we’ve overslept. Instead of overcompensating for the lack of sleep over the week, wake up only an hour later than you normally do. That way you won’t feel like you’ve lost an entire day and will feel more energised.
Set up your intentions. Meditation, morning affirmations, daily planner – the method doesn’t matter. The only thing that is really important is to have purpose and intentions for the day, even on weekends. It shouldn’t be a huge goal, it might just be a list of chores to do today but it will help you stay focused and organised and will gently ease you into a more intense work week routine.
Shift your focus. If you’ve spent the last five days at your desk, go outside. If you work outdoors, plan some indoor activities for the weekend. It’s impossible to stay happy and productive with too many repetitive tasks or the same scenery around. Use your weekend to do things differently!
Spend time with your family. Being busy over the week means little or no time for family. And while you might argue that lazying on the couch with a funny movie is good family time, remember that we’re looking for pleasant ways to keep you productive and getting out in the fresh air is known to be one of the most effective methods.
Learn something new. We’re living in an era when you can do everything you want without even leaving the house. Open your laptop, sit back and relax. But instead of chilling with Netflix, tune in to one of these free Ivy League courses or pick an online workshop related to your work or hobbies. Being productive without so much as moving a finger? Perfect weekend activity!
Prep your meals. The weekend is a great time to chop veggies for your weekday meals and place them in the fridge until you need them. You can also sort out fruits for healthy office snacks in advance. You might also cook larger portions of meals and use them for weekday lunches. It will keep you busy and will make the upcoming week a little less stressful.
Clean a little. Be it wiping the dust off the office furniture or sorting out the mess on your kitchen counter – it’s a fact that an organised space makes us more organised, so it makes sense to clean the room you plan to spend time in over the weekend. Here are 14 tips to help you clean the house like never before.
Volunteer. Devoting your free time to a good cause builds a sense of satisfaction that will stay with you for days. It’s also a great opportunity to meet new friends and switch off your overworked brain for a while.