A common trait of “The Fully-Functioning Singaporean” is looking forward to long weekends. What is not to like about the opportunity to break out of the daily grind? To spend a long weekend lazing about would be almost criminal, or is it?
But making time for a few activities can leave you recharged and happier once the holiday has passed. Here are good examples of how you can improve your life through this well-deserved break from work.
Tackle a DIY project.
A long weekend is a great opportunity to tackle a Do-It-Yourself project. This can come in the form of painting your home, installing new lights, maintaining on your vehicle or finally getting around to cleaning and organizing your living space. Any improvement, big or small, can be well worth the time and effort in making your daily life better.
Set goals
Many wellness coaches often ask questions like: Who you’d like to be in a year, or “Where do you see yourself in the future?” Many people have only a vague sense of what they want from life. Setting goals makes it more fulfilling to work toward, and achieve as well.
Read motivational books
Having a hard time staying motivated lately? Spending time to read inspirational articles to discover ideas, tactics and new habits that will help you achieve your life goals. By doing so, reading can boost your confidence and help in developing a more positive outlook towards life
Host a potluck gathering
Invite a few friends over for good conversation over food. You only have to prepare plates, utensils and a place to eat. A potluck gathering allows everyone to chat and enjoy time together with a minimum amount of stress.
Update your resume and cover letter
Even if you’re not actively seeking a new job, it’s never a bad idea to have your resume and cover letter up to date. Hiring companies are always looking out for new talent, and a modern, up-to-date resume is one way to stand out from the crowd. Treat it as your professional outfit.
Detox
If you find yourself chowing down on too much unhealthy food, it can make you easily irritable and lazy. Fortunately, just a few days of clean-eating will reset your body to a fresh and clean state. It is also a good time to put away your digital devices for a day or two and disconnect from distractions like social networks.
Catch up on sleep
Good sleep makes your memory sharper, improves mood and focus. The caveat? You have to go to bed earlier instead of waking up later. It also helps to relax before bed without using electronics which may disrupt your sleeping patterns.
Reflect
Reflection on oneself is a powerful tool for improvement. Without the distractions of work, seize the opportunity to untangle and sort through experiences, see from a different viewpoint, and create meaning. This meaning becomes part of the learning cycle , which can then form new mindsets and actions.
Prepare for work
The long weekend is perfect for planning your upcoming week. Why? A well-planned week feels a lot more manageable because all you have to focus on is execution. And planning only takes up a fraction of the day and you won’t be dreading the first workday after the break!
