When the weekend finally rolls around, and you’re exhausted after a week spent engaged in hard work, you’ll want to make the best possible use of the time available to you, so that you can get back to work on Monday feeling refreshed and ready to go.
A good routine for your weekend can work wonders. This might involve planning a light declutter, setting aside your devices for a given amount of time, and spending some of your time outdoors.
A weekend reset doesn’t need to feel like yet another project. It’s something that you can build on with small, steady actions – and by occasionally letting go of your routines entirely.
So, what’s worth doing?
Step Away From Screens
Screen time can be a major driver of stress. When your eyes are constantly being bombarded with new information (much of it low-value chatter), then your mind will need to work constantly to process it all. Setting your phone aside for even a few hours on a Sunday afternoon can give your brain the space it needs to process everything.
Clear One Small Area
When we say ‘light’ decluttering, we really mean getting at least one part of the house clear. This part can be as small as a single drawer or desk. When your space is manageable and easy to use, you might quickly see the rewards of tidying it. You might even get a dopamine hit from doing so!
Plan Food That Saves Effort
If you find that you’re constantly stressing out during the week over what you’re going to eat, and you’re prone to favouring convenience food over the healthier alternatives, then it might be time to start meal prepping.
Start with a big, big batch of soup, stew, or ragu. Even a rich tomato sauce can be cooked in bulk, and used as a base for a variety of other dishes.
Build a Fresh-Air Ritual
The chances are that there is a variety of local walks available in your vicinity. Investigate them all, and rotate through them from one weekend to the next. You don’t need to trek for hours, or conquer dozens of peaks – just half an hour on a Sunday morning can help to introduce extra focus, and give you the space to reflect on what’s happened over the last week, and what’s coming in the future. Invest in a good pair of walking boots, and you’ll be able to do this without fear of your feet letting you down!
Finish With a Gentle Wind-Down
A Sunday night can be a stressful thing, if you’re dreading the approach of Monday morning, and wondering what you’ve achieved during your time off. But if you’ve done at least a few of the activities we’ve covered, you might arrive at this moment with a feeling of satisfaction.
Give yourself something to look forward to, and round off your weekend, with a relaxing activity that you actually enjoy. This might mean stretching, reading, or simply sitting and thinking. Mindless television, in small doses, can be perfectly healthy, too!