Why is it that weekends never feel long enough? It doesn’t even seem to matter whether we’re talking about the standard two-day variety or a three-day holiday weekend, that same sense of dread – that “where did the time go?” angst – kicks in even before the break is over.
Studies over decades have confirmed that people really do feel that leisure time flies by much faster than its workday equivalent. And while there is no easy way to rewire your brain to think otherwise, there are strategies you can utilize to ensure your weekends leave you feeling more fulfilled.
Plan Ahead: Creating a specific schedule for your weekend a few days greatly increases the chances you will accomplish what you want and not reach Sunday night feeling disappointed at all those deeds undone. For example, you are much more likely to go on a long bike ride with a friend if you schedule the time with your buddy well in advance. While this strategy clearly will not add actual hours to your weekend it will enable you to feel you maximized your time. In addition, there is the benefit of all that pleasant anticipation in the days leading up the weekend.
Curb Your Screen Time: Few people can resist looking at television or social media over the weekend, particularly if a favorite team is playing. That said, it really is best to limit that exposure so that you can direct your attention elsewhere, such as to family and the other elements in the world around you. Doing so will substantially foster a sense of rejuvenation once you head back into the work week.
Leave Work at Work: A no-brainer, to be sure, but it is vitally important to remember to relegate your professional duties to weekdays, not the weekend. Worrying about work wastes valuable time you could be spending with friends and family it drastically reduces your ability to actually enjoy yourself. So turn off your work phone, disable the work email and put the laptop away so you aren’t reminded of a looming deadline while you cuddle on the couch.
Find A Hobby: Now that you’ve unplugged from the office, it’s important you spend your leisure time engaging in activities that you find rewarding. One strategy is to focus on activities that draw on a completely different set of resources than your work. For example, if your 9-to-5 job is highly technical, spend the weekend doing things that build on different skills.
Practice Mindfulness: It may be easier said than done, but if you stay in the moment during your treasured days off, you’ll have a more enjoyable weekend. In fact, studies show that some people who practice ongoing mindfulness and meditation experience time at a slower rate. You can ground yourself anywhere and anytime using your senses. Once you are back in the present moment, then you can intentionally move forward with things that bring you a sense of joy. And who doesn’t to experience a sense of joy all throughout a slow-moving weekend?
At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.
