Two Tips for a Restorative Weekend

Julie Morgenstern shares two important tips to help you get the most out of your weekend, so that you not only have a good time, but you’re re-energized as well.

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Julie Morgenstern notes that Life Magazine published a study, which showed that most people wait until Thursday evening or later to plan their weekends. And guess what happens? Friends have already made plans, the concert is sold out and they end up with very little to do. The weekend slips through their fingers and they get to Monday morning and aren’t refreshed.

The harder you work, the more important it is that you spend your limited leisure time in a way that restores your energy. But that takes organisation, and thinking it through.

Two Tips for a Restorative Weekend

Julie shares two important tips to help you get the most out of your weekend and re-charge your batteries.

The first is to think of your weekend as seven units of time: Friday night, Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon, Saturday evening, plus the same three blocks of time on Sunday. The key is to think in advance how you want to use each of those seven blocks of time. She points out that it’s OK if you want to use a couple of them to laze around. The important thing is to plan it in advance, so you don’t feel guilty.

Secondly, as you’re planning those seven units of time, Julie recommends using her PEP formula for renewal. This creates the right mix of activities that really restore your energy. It focuses on the three components of your personal life that you may neglect when we’re working hard, but which are your true source of energy.

PEP Formula

The first component is physical health (P). This covers sleep, exercise, eating wholesome meals, going to the doctor, getting a massage, and so on. Things that really restore us.

The second component are escapes (E) which are your hobbies r passions. The things that the minute you do them, you’re instantly transported to a different world. You’re not thinking about work or your problems. Instead, you’re fully engaged in what you’re doing. If you can find an escape that you can do every weekend, that will give you more energy than anything else.

The final component is people (P), which are another source of energy, if you plan properly. Ask yourself: Who are the people who when you spend time with them, they make you feel calm, confident, happy and energised? Plan in advance how you can fit those people into your schedule.

Try to plan at least half of each weekend by the end of the weekend before. This will fill you with excitement and enthusiasm as you view the week ahead.

If you have difficulty sleeping, click here for some tips on how to get a good night’s sleep.