The weekend is more than just a break from your job; it’s an opportunity to recharge and spend time with loved ones. We’ve listed creative ways to do this so you can spend less time worrying and more time enjoying. Let’s dive in.
1. Plan a Nature Hike
Few things beat stepping out in nature. All it takes is searching for a place to hike and looking for a partner to hike with. If you can’t find someone, consider exploring the park alone during the day. You’ll refresh your mind and work out your body.
2. Have a Picnic in the Park
Similar to hiking, eating at a local park is a neat experience. You’ll be surrounded by new people, great weather, and tasty food. You only need a blanket, drinks, sunscreen, sunglasses, and food. Consider parking close to avoid a long walk back to the car.
3. Go for a Bike Ride
Cycling is a great experience and has many health benefits. However, choosing a safe location to ride your bike is important. Many roads have dedicated lanes, but some areas offer more space to cycle freely. Consider an e-bike to help with hills. These bikes have small motors that provide extra power to help you move in challenging areas.
4. Take a Photography Walk
Often, all it takes to have a good time is to be in nature and explore areas you’ve never been before. Take out your camera and take pictures of trees, the sky, or anything in nature that stands out to you.
5. Take a Scenic Drive
Although walking is better because you get exercise, driving to new locations can also be fun. For example, you can visit border states, parks, beaches, etc. The night before, take a few minutes to plan your scenic drive.
6. Host a Game Night with Friends
Call or text a few family members or friends to get together for game night. Popular board games like Monopoly are fun to play. You can also play the Nintendo Switch, among other video game consoles. Game nights are cheap, fun, and easy to host.
7. Attend a Community Event
Check local Facebook groups or Twitter for local events occurring over the weekend. Common events include food festivals, arts and crafts exhibits, marathons, and more. The best part is that community events allow you to do something relatively new without traveling far.
8. Volunteer for a Local Charity
It’s no secret that giving is good for your mental health. Search social media or volunteer websites for local nonprofit companies that need help. If you’re strapped for time, consider donating virtually with money or helping with miscellaneous online tasks.
9. Read a Book
Reading allows you to learn and takes you away from the digital world. You don’t need to spend money because you can rent books at your local library. If you’re feeling frugal, visit local garage sales to find quality books for less than $5. Make it a goal to read at least one book per month. If you’re constantly traveling, audiobooks are easy to consume while driving.
10. Write in a Journal
Journaling may seem like a thing only teenagers do, but writing down your thoughts can help you understand yourself better. If you’re a slow typer, consider using a physical journal. Additionally, you can talk out your thoughts on most smartphones. There’s little excuse not to journal; all it takes is a few minutes. If you want to experience the benefits of journaling, set a daily reminder to do so.
11. Start a DIY Project
The weekends are perfect for working on any DIY projects. If you’re handy, you can finish repairing or upgrading home projects. Additionally, you can change your car’s oil or do extra repairs you’ve been wanting to do. For something non-physical, you can finish building your website or setting up your podcast.
12. Prepare Meals in Advance
Prepping meals at the last second or spending time brainstorming what to eat isn’t fun. Instead, use the weekend to plan your meals for the entire week. You’ll have to look up the proper amount of rice or chicken to cook if you haven’t prepped this in advance. However, spending an hour or two prepping your meals for the entire week will save time and money for the days ahead.
13. Plan Outfits for the Week
Like meal prepping, you can decide your outfits for the week ahead of time. You’ll avoid rushing in the morning and wearing outfits that may make you uncomfortable. This doesn’t have to take long. Simply choose a few pairs of pants and shirts.
14. Set Goals for the Week
After relaxing, it’s time to plan for the upcoming week. Instead of mindlessly working throughout the week, get intentional by setting goals. These don’t have to be major, but take a moment to think about what you’d like to accomplish in the next 90 days or by the end of the year.
15. Review Your Calendar and Schedule
It’s easy to miss appointments throughout the week, so reviewing them a few days prior can put you ahead of most people. If you’re not already using a calendar, spend a moment to add important events to your calendar. This can be a digital or physical calendar, whichever works best for you. Once done, review the upcoming week and organize your days to accommodate upcoming events.
16. Declutter and Organize Your Space
Planning for the week is important, but having a clean space will also make your days easier. You’ll avoid fumbling while looking for important things, and it’ll be easier to start working. Remove any clutter in your home office space and items on the floor that may cause you to trip.
17. Do a Grocery Run
No meal prep will get done without the right food items. Nowadays, you can order your groceries in advance and pick them up at your local grocery store. You can even have them delivered to your doorstep for an additional fee.
18. Catch Up on Laundry
If you work from home, you may be able to do your laundry during the work week. However, if you’re traveling to the office, the weekends are likely the perfect opportunity to get this task done. It’s smart to organize a pile of dirty laundry throughout the week and then determine whether you’ll do laundry Friday evening or over the weekend.