Whether you have vacation or personal time to use or simply have a day off of work, it’s important to get the most use out of it. We all need and deserve time away from our jobs for vacation, to spend with our families, work on our to-do lists, and relax. Sometimes life happens and we don’t always have the luxury of planning out our days the way we’d like them. Whether you work another job on your days off or care for an aging parent or sick child, it is still important to find time to care for yourself. Hopefully this blog will help you to think about ways you can do so.
Most important - Plan your time off according to your schedule and priorities. If you have vacation each year, plan in advance how you would like to use them. Perhaps you will travel or relax for one week and save the remaining days to take periodically as you need a break from work-related stress. Whether you work rotating shifts or a set schedule, look through your calendar to determine what you have going on each month. Then organize your days off to allow you to be productive in getting done what is most necessary, ranging from grocery shopping, exercise, yard work, and relaxing.
Spend time with your family – Perhaps you take a day off during the summer to spend time with your kids or other family members. You might rather take a day during the year to fulfill responsibilities early, freeing up the evening for play. Both options honor the importance of quality family time. If you are part of a couple, consider taking time for just you and your spouse or partner, especially if you have young children. Working and caring for kids is time- and energy-consuming, and can often lead to less quality “alone time.” It’s important to keep this relationship healthy in order to maintain a positive family dynamic.
Exercise – Many folks have difficulty finding time and energy to exercise before or after a long work day. Take advantage of your days off and make exercise a priority, whether you take a brisk 15 minute walk or head to the gym for an hour workout. Exercise can improve your energy, mood, increase motivation, burn calories, help with weight loss, improve sleep, and many more great benefits….it’s not something you want to be missing out on!
Clean out your house – Spend time organizing your home office, bedroom, kitchen, or a desk that is covered with clutter. Too many busy days at work can lead to chaos or clutter at home. Sort through bills, mail, laundry, and other things that have been neglected over time. Make a list of home improvement projects and choose one to tackle on a day off. While this may not sound like a fun use of time away from work, it can help provide valuable peace of mind.
Rest and relax – “Me” time is just as important as exercise and organizing your home. Do something that makes you happy and that you rarely have time to do, such as reading a book, taking a bath or nap, exercising, journaling, listening to music, or spending time with a good friend. Set aside some time for hobbies you enjoy, perhaps even taking a class or workshop to grow your skills. These enjoyable activities can help to reduce stress and promote personal growth, which improves mental, physical, and emotional health.
Make a list of all the things you want and need to do over the next week, month, or year. Then prioritize that list and break out your calendar. Plan your days off so that you can get the most out of them…and ENJOY!
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