After a long and potentially stressful week, weekends are the time to unwind and recharge. When it comes to relaxing, everyone has a different idea in mind: some like meeting friends while others prefer to stay home and watch TV. With so many activities to choose from, how can we plan our weekend recovery intentionally to set ourselves up for a new week of high productivity? 

Here are a few tips that will certainly help you recover and start Monday with a bang!

Unplug and do nothing at all

Weekend is your time to be off schedule and free. Try to make it about recreation. Turn off your work phone and step away from your laptop. Give yourself some mental space from the workspace stress.Plan some time to recharge and do absolutely nothing but relax.Letting yourself unwind can enhance your creativity and save you from major burn-outs.

Start new weekend habits

Comforting rituals are wonderful for boosting happiness. Friday night dinners in your favourite restaurant, Saturday cheat day when you can eat whatever you’re craving or afternoon walks in the nearby park to break the Sunday blues- these are all amazing habits that don’t require special planning but can add so much to your weekend. 

Spend time in nature

Feel the warm sunshine on your face, listen to the birds chirping and the trees overhead. Being in nature is a true soul candy and is an amazing way to recharge, get some exercise and conquer anxiety. Not to mention that it can be a great occasion to invite a friend and catch up.

Meditate

Meditation gives you a sense of calm that can benefit both your emotional well-being and your overall health. The weekend is an amazing occasion to start incorporating meditation in your life. Begin with 5-10 minutes and increase the time as you go. If you have no obligation, use the time to really ease into your meditations and connect with yourself.

Prepare for next week

Do at least one thing to prepare for your week. It can be meal prepping, doing laundry, cleaning the flat or doing a big grocery shopping. Think about how happy it will make you to start your Monday in a clean and organized flat.

Get a massage

Spend an hour getting pampered. A professional massage can help to release stress and tension in your muscles. The hit of dopamine and serotonin released in your body in the course of the massage triggers a sense of calm and deeply relaxes you.If you can afford it, it’s well worth it to invest in an hour of self-care and relaxation.

Remember, the weekend is your time to recharge- treat it as such! Giving yourself time to recover is a form of self-care. Keep your wellness a priority on your days off.