Weekends bring with them a certain amount of anarchy. We often use the break from the hectic daily routine to relax and do nothing. But some habits can throw us off and make it difficult to transition into the workweek. What to watch out for?
Mistake No. 1: Sleeping too long
The vast majority of people look forward to a longer sleep at the weekend. But experts point out that straying from your usual sleep schedule can actually be detrimental. “Getting up around the same time each day helps to set our internal clock. This makes it easier to wake up and fall asleep, ” says Shelby Harris, author of The Woman’s Guide to Overcoming Insomnia Without Medication.
“When you wake up on the weekend, it’s that much harder to sink back into sleep the next night, simply because not enough hours have passed for your body to feel tired,” Debra Swan, a health coach in Chicago, USA, tells the Huffington Post.
But not all the research faults weekend napping. A recent study, for example, confirmed that people who don’t sleep much during the workweek but make up for it on the weekend live just as long as people who indulge in quality sleep every day.
Mistake No. 2: Lack of hydration
Consistent hydration, especially in the morning, plays a huge role in a person’s health, especially after a steamy, alcohol-filled night. Even when you’re not thirsty, sipping water regularly will ensure you’re adequately hydrated throughout the day. Start your day with a good glass of water, and make sure you have a water bottle handy throughout the day.
If you don’t like the taste of the water itself, you can flavour it with herbs, cucumbers or mashed fruit, or lemon or citrus juice.
Mistake #3: Losing responsibility
It’s easy to follow established routines during the work week. But on the weekend, inhibitions fall away and we often resort to doing nothing. But try to make the most of your weekends.
For example, consider a regular morning yoga class or an afternoon coffee with a friend. You could also do the laundry or clean out the closet that you’ve been thinking about for a long time but never had time for.
Mistake #4: Not preparing for the workweek
The weekend should be a really relaxing time, but the truth is that if you leave all your worries until Monday morning, it will be that much harder to cope with and you might be so stressed out that you won’t even get to sleep on Sunday. So learn to at least partially prepare for the week ahead.
These may be small things, but they will make it easier to function. For example, prepare your shopping list in advance, go through your calendar, so you know what to expect, or schedule time with your husband to spend with your children. This will help ease hectic days that are otherwise dominated by disorganization and stress.
Mistake #5: Staying home all weekend
“Get out and get your energy from exercise and sunshine,” Swan advises, adding that the ideal is to go for a walk first thing in the morning when you wake up.
“The bright light gives your brain the command that it’s time to wake up.” Spending time outdoors has all kinds of health benefits, including making people feel rested and even sleeping better.