The weekend is a much cherished time of our lives, for some the weekend is the ONLY time that they can touch base with their lives away from the busy hum drum and expectations from the outside world. The weekend is filled with golden hours to savor, hence it is necessary we use this time for the better.
Our lives demand quite an amount of energy from us, therefore to stay upbeat here are 5 ways to stay on top of your game.
Some “alone time” can rejuvenate you, as it cuts you away from the demands of the external world and allows you to connect to your inner self. This will allow you to recollect your energy, your thoughts and your goals and mainly it will allow you to stay aligned with your life’s desires.
If you are a busy mom, or you work weekend shifts, set aside at least 15 minutes to yourself for you to reboot.
The ideal “alone time” is to do something that excites your soul such as watch an inspirational movie, work out, read a book, immerse yourself in a bubble bath or cook a meal for yourself. If time is a constraint you can maybe meditate for 15 minutes or listen to your favorite song, stretch or practice a few yoga moves.
“Decades of solid science confirm that adding as little as half an hour of moderately intense exercise to your day improves health and extends life.” – Healthy Mind, Healthy Body: Benefits of Exercise by The Joseph B. Martin Conference Center, Harvard Medical School.
If you would like to know how meditation is emotional detox please read our blog on Meditation for Emotional Detox
“One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.” – William Shakespeare
There is immense healing power in nature, it can calm your nerves and sooth your mind. Go for a 30 minute walk or run, spend time at a park, watch a sunrise or sunset or sit by a window and observe the world outside while you sip tea. This little activity will quiet your mind and take you away from the week’s baggage.
“A thread of understanding about our deep connection with nature and the healing power of nature can be traced from shamans in the Reindeer Age, beginning 40,000 years ago. Symbolized by the medicine wheel, medicine was about coming back into balance and harmony with natural cycles and rhythms. Ayurvedic Medicine (the Indigenous Indian medical system), Tibetan Medicine, Native American Medicine, and Traditional Chinese Medicine, all at least 5000 years old, are examples of medical systems that see being in nature as integral to healing, health, and well being and in which people maintain a physical and spiritual connection with nature. Amchis, the name of Tibetan Medicine healers in Nepal, even today, use up to 1800 plants in their work (Adhikari, 2009).” – The Healing Power of Nature: The need for nature for human health, development, and well being.
“The important gifts you can give are your love, time and attention. Slow down take time to smile and enjoy loved ones… life goes by way too fast.” – Carla White
Often we overlook the sources of happiness that are close at hand and yearn for the ones that seem far-fetched dragging us into a downward spiral of loneliness.
No matter how some loved ones drive us up at the wall they can be cathartic. Human connection, contact and the sense of belongingness can help us shed pounds of stress.
Spend some time with your cuddle buddy, your partner or your family. If time doesn’t permit you, call a person whom you’ve been meaning to speak to or call a close friend for a quick chat and laugh.
“A vacation is what you take when you can no longer take what you’ve been taking” – Earl Wilson
A vacation is rewarding in many ways. A vacation is ideal to reconnect with yourself and loved ones. The change in environment and experience leaves you refreshed and relaxed and it can add a variety to your monotonous schedule. After many weeks of intense work reward yourself by booking yourself for a weekend getaway. It need not be a glamorous one; as long as it serves the purpose of a vacation just as Robert Orben says. “A vacation is having nothing to do and all day to do it in.”
The role of cognition and emotion is so closely related, clear cognition is achieved through sleep. If you have been breaking rest and been sleep deprived; invest time in sleep during your weekend and you will be surprised how cheery and full of energy your week ahead would be.
“A common myth is that people can learn to get by on little sleep (such as less than 6 hours a night) with no adverse effects. Research suggests, however, that adults need at least 7–8 hours of sleep each night to be well rested. Indeed, in 1910, most people slept 9 hours a night. But recent surveys show the average adult now sleeps fewer than 7 hours a night. More than one-third of adults report daytime sleepiness so severe that it interferes with work, driving, and social functioning at least a few days each month.” – Your Guide to Healthy Sleep, U.S Department of Health and Human Services.
Adapt one of the five ways suggested above for a weekend emotional detox and rejuvenate yourself. Your week ahead will be more refreshed and you will be in a better state of mind. Your mundane tasks, tedious schedule and long commute will no longer interfere with your peace of mind.
