Finding a balance between your professional and personal life can be quite challenging. The hyper-connected modern workplace makes it easy to take work home even on the weekends. This has led to many people working remotely even during their off hours. Unfortunately, this has caused many employers and employees to now suffer from a poor work-life balance.
The weekend is there for you to unwind and de-stress after a long hard work week. These two days give you time to yourself so you don’t have to wait for your vacation time to do so. Reclaiming your weekend and doing the things you love can lead to a better work-life balance. It can have positive effects on both your physical and mental health.
This article highlights the meaning and importance of a good work life balance. It also includes 6-weekend activities to help you take back your weekend.
Work life balance meaning
We all live very different lives. This is why work life balance can look very different for everyone. For this reason, there is some confusion surrounding work life balance. So, what is work life balance exactly?
Work life balance deals with the way you manage your time at work and time off work. There is no set example to follow. It simply involves finding out what works for you to live a happy and fulfilling life.
Why work life balance is important
Now that you know what work life balance is, you may wonder why it’s so important. An imbalance in the various aspects of your life can make things difficult for you. It can also pose several challenges to your health, happiness and emotional stability.
A healthy work life balance provides you with several benefits. These include:
- Increasing productivity
- Lowering stress levels
- Improving your health and wellbeing
- Strengthening relationships
This is by no means an exhaustive list of the benefits you’ll get when you balance work and your personal time. The benefits are many and vary from person to person as well.
6 activities to take back your weekend
Your thinking has a direct impact on everything you do. Increased responsibilities can have you working longer hours. If you think of weekends as extra days to get work done, it can be hard to change your mind. Try to convince yourself that weekends are the time for you to recharge. Think of it as not something you want but something that is necessary for your life.
Start your weekend on Friday. Choose a certain time to stop working on Friday and stick to it. When that time comes around, stop working! Don’t check emails, and don’t work on projects. Just don’t give any more time or energy to anything work-related.
Here are 6 activities you can do to take back your weekend.
Self Care
Stressful days at work can make it hard for you to care for yourself the way you need to. This is why it is important to find some time to take care of yourself. If you feel overwhelmed, it’s surprising what taking care of yourself can do for you. Taking time to look after yourself can make you more productive and help you achieve your goals.
Self-care looks different to everyone but some personal activities remain the same. Some people may decide to have an at-home spa day. You can give yourself a facial, manicure or pedicure or all three! If you have a tub, you can take a long hot soak in it. Light some candles, play some music that relaxes you and enjoy.
These activities can help to reduce stress and lingering frustrations. They can also help you feel rejuvenated and ready to tackle the work week ahead.
Binge your favorite shows
Some may consider watching shows a frivolous hobby. However, the stress-relief capabilities of watching your favorite series cannot be overlooked. OnePoll on behalf of the streaming service, Philo conducted a study on the way Americans relax and seek comfort from television. The study found that 55% of adults watch TV as a self-soothing technique. They use it as a method for relieving anxiety or stress.
Watching and discussing shows with friends can help you make time for yourself. This way you can join in conversations about the show without missing a beat.
Do an item on your at-home to-do list
There’s the at-work to-do list and an at-home to-do list. However, the at-home list always seems to be given less importance. We tend to push personal priorities aside and allow work priorities to consume us. To change this, choose something small from the at-home list and commit to finishing it by Sunday.
This could be painting your room or another room in the house a different color. You can also use the weekend to declutter a room or clean your living space. There are so many small home improvement projects you can tackle which will make you feel good to get off your list. You may even find that it takes less time than you initially thought. Once completed, you’ll have a greater sense of accomplishment.
Cook and enjoy your favorite meal
Busy work weeks can leave you with very little time to cook and eat well. If you find yourself rushing your lunch break during the work week, the weekend is the time to slow down. You can try cooking your favorite meal or a new dish you’ve been meaning to learn how to cook. After it’s finished, sit down and savor it. If cooking’s not your thing, then order in or go out to indulge in your favorite meal.
Spend time with loved ones
If your job is demanding and stressing you out, reconnecting with loved ones may be the best solution. Your friends and family are the most crucial relationships in your life. These people are your support system. No matter what happens in life, they’ll always be in your corner.
Family time allows you to catch up on all you missed during the week. It can help strengthen your relationships with your parents, spouse and children. This can also lead to less stress since these are the people who love and believe in you. Quality time also provides a great way to make new memories to cherish.
Schedule regular weekend activities with your friends. We all need people outside of our family to socialize with. Hang out with your friends and do what you love together. It could be going to dinner, having drinks or any other activity you all enjoy. This way you always stay in touch and know what’s going on in each other’s life.
Switch it up
Commit to a different schedule for the weekend. Lounge in your pajamas, play video games, indulge in your hobbies, get some exercise, or do other things you like. Establish a “no chore day” and allow yourself to do whatever you want. If you want to stay on the couch and be lazy all day, then do it. There’s no need to feel guilty doing what’s best for you. You’ve earned your free time so make the most of it doing whatever it is you want.
How to enjoy the weekend if you must work
All industries aren’t the same and there may be instances where you are required to work on the weekend. However, that does not mean you can’t take some time for yourself and do something fun. If you don’t have the luxury of taking the entire weekend off, here are some tips to still enjoy your weekend.
Schedule something fun right after work
If you have to work on a Saturday, plan something fun to do after your work hours. Schedule drinks with friends or some other activity with friends or family. This will keep your spirits up knowing you have something to look forward to.
Treat yourself
If you have to work on a Sunday, then go out for brunch before you clock in. If that’s not possible, get yourself a nice meal delivered to the office. Other ways you can treat yourself include stocking up on your favorite snacks or listening to your favorite music. These can help motivate and improve your focus while you work during the weekend.
Delegate tasks
Try to delegate tasks or create a shift schedule if you’re the boss. You can also try to automate your services. If you’re an employee, talk to your boss about implementing these systems. Set up flexible hours. Doing this ensures that nobody feels overwhelmed and they all have some time for themselves on the weekend. It also leads to a better work environment overall.
Conclusion
You must draw a line between your professional life and personal life. After a busy work week, you need to take some time to rest and relax. The weekend is perfect for unwinding and ensuring you’re well-rested.
Taking some time for yourself on the weekend can help prevent burnout. It also helps keep your mental health in check. So pamper yourself or spend time with the people you love and do the things you love. All these activities will lead to a healthier work life balance. To take things further and free up more time, contact Scorpion to see what they can help you with.
