With the economy looking shakier by the minute it’s understandable
that many of us feel pressure to work extra hours. However this can have a
negative effect on our health and well-being if we are constantly strung out and
exhausted – and it goes without saying that this is going to affect our
performance at work.
That’s why I’m going to take a look at a few suggestions for how
to stop work worries encroaching on your much-needed weekend.
Write a to-do list
I think a great many of us find it difficult to stop work thoughts creeping into our minds during the evenings and weekends, when instead we should be relaxing and enjoying a rest.
I think a great many of us find it difficult to stop work thoughts creeping into our minds during the evenings and weekends, when instead we should be relaxing and enjoying a rest.
To stop these niggling worries, make sure you spend your last half
hour or so on a Friday writing a to-do list for the next week. Really focus
your mind on the task and try to be as thorough as possible. This should reduce
the amount of worrying you might be likely to do in your days off.
Practice an end of week ritual
At the end of the working week, make sure you do something to signify that the weekend has begun and work has finished until Monday. It could be something as simple as switching off your computer, tidying your desk or making a final cup of tea, but whatever you choose, make sure you do it at the end of every Friday to get your brain into non-work mode.
At the end of the working week, make sure you do something to signify that the weekend has begun and work has finished until Monday. It could be something as simple as switching off your computer, tidying your desk or making a final cup of tea, but whatever you choose, make sure you do it at the end of every Friday to get your brain into non-work mode.
Get out into nature
Instead of spending your weekends fretting about work or checking your emails, make sure you spend some time outside enjoying nature. Research from the University of Washington has revealed that spending time in nature can help to reduce stress as well as lower blood pressure.
You will also top up your quota of vitamin D by spending some time
in the sunshine and if you combine this with some form of exercise – walking,
cycling or gardening perhaps – you will notice a lift in your mood.
Tell yourself that you’re worth it!
Many of us put in longer hours at work because we are insecure and have a fear of failure. By putting in long hours we somehow convince ourselves that we are a better person for it. But often this leads to further stress, anxiety and exhaustion, eventually ending in burn out.
Make a conscious decision to take time off for your own health and
well-being, because your body and mind deserve time to rest and recover. Pledge
to do at least one thing over the weekend just for you – plan a beauty
treatment, cook yourself your favorite meal or just spend an afternoon reading or
playing with your lids or read that book you’ve been meaning to read for ages.
Be selfish
for once and make the weekend all about you!
