The Hindu Business Line : Week resolve!

Long and dull faces rummaging for clothes, keys and wallets; multiple groans for missing things and a forceful drag to work marks the onset of a formidable Monday morning! More often than not, as we stressfully juggle our much-awaited weekends with family commitments, get togethers with friends and completing pending errands our tired mind and body prevent us from responding to the Monday morning alarm call. For most of us, weekends are busier than our weekdays, and we har dly find time for ourselves.

One of the easiest but neglected ways to boost productivity is to have a stress-free weekend. In a recent talk, Dr. Ai Kwajia, Counsellor and Chairman of Banjara Academy pointed out that holidays are so stressful these days that we need extra time to unwind ourselves from our vacation.

Weekend is a time for leisure and recreation activities, which help our body and mind to relax and gear up for an exciting week ahead. As a famous saying goes, “A field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.”

Making the most of your weekend

This is what some highly productive people say about their weekends.

Allot ample time to take care of your body and mind.

Rama, a business consultant says, “I create a personal space for myself in my house. Your space can be as small as a shelf. Mine contains my favourite books, a writing journal, massage oils or a pedicure kit. A quiet read, a self body massage, a soothing pedicure or some stretching exercises rejuvenates my exhausted body and mind.” For those of you who say “How can I take quiet time off in a noisy household?” — wake up a little early and enjoy the quiet time before the house gets busy.

Be selective in accepting social invitations.

Kumar, who works as a software architect says, “Very often I looked forward to the weekends to play with my children or watch a movie with my wife. Most of the time, my wishes went unfulfilled as I had more social invitations than I could handle. After experiencing many harried weekends commuting from one end of the city to another, I now stick to just one get together per weekend. This helps me relax and be ready for Mondays better than before.”

Nurture your hobbies.

For Kamini, a chartered accountant, painting gives her a sense of fulfilment. Due to her hectic work schedule, she could not pick up a brush all these years. One weekend, watching her daughter paint, she got motivated. When she started painting, her daughter hugged her and said “Ma, you are a genius artist!”

“A hobby not only makes you feel good and boosts your confidence, it also relaxes you," says Kamini, who now allots time for painting on weekends.

Try new experiences.

To Chandru, weekends meant “movies”. Though the TV was switched on most of the time, he neither enjoyed the shows nor felt relaxed.

Those of us who face the “weekend burnout”, should try stepping out; a game of tennis, a walk or just watching kids play might relax you.

Spend time with nature.

You don’t have to book tickets to Switzerland to enjoy nature. You can experience the bliss right across your balcony by admiring a sunrise or watching the birds fly or simply by watering the few plants in your garden. “Nature provides the peace I am searching for.” says Mallika, a pathologist. “Just weeding the plants in my garden makes me feel fresh”, she says.