Between family obligations, your lifelong obsession, and whatever is keeping your hands off your weekend relaxation, weekend off – and plan for actually having one – sounds more and more of a privilege than a right. It should not be as a study showed that we need our weekends to choose whatever we want to do and leave “working” to weekdays. Professor Richard Ryan did a study relating psychology and weekends. In his study he concluded that those who take weekends off are more well-rounded and productive than those who don’t – and they feel better regardless of age.

Remember that most illnesses are triggered by stress and working yourself to death without hope for a weekend break will surely push you to the edge – or even throw you off edge. Instead of feeling guilty and unproductive by taking your well-earned weekend off, think of it as an investment, a way to save your health as well as your sanity.
Working or nonworking, retired and otherwise, it is important to set aside your weekends to yourself and as much as possible, say “no” to work during these days. Here are some simple ways you can reclaim your weekends and actually enjoy it!
·         Reorganize your calendar. Clear your weekends off of any and all work-related entries, same goes for those you feel are obligations and not in any way beneficial to your well being such as your mom’s dental appointment or your grandkid’s piano lesson. These things can be scheduled during weekdays.
·         Avoid weekend deadlines. If you have to meet a deadline, make it Friday, or if that is not possible then go for Tuesday morning – Monday evening even but NEVER on Saturday and Sunday. Make this a habit.
·         Get all your tasks done within weekdays. This way you avoid doing things on weekends as well as getting rid of that dark cloud that hangs over your head when you opt to rest on weekends. When you know there’s nothing else to do, you’ll be able to enjoy your weekends more.
·         It should be “all about you”. Do whatever relaxes you. If your idea of a relaxing weekend is a good book out the porch or perhaps gardening with your spouse, then so be it. Don’t be too concerned if you weren’t able to plan a “great” out-of-town trip if you don’t really feel like it. The idea of a weekend off is not having any pressure on you at all and enjoying the day at your own phase.
·         Declare a “no-techie day”! Technology has indeed made our lives easier but it can also bring about unwanted stress. An email or a phonecall can easily unearth an emergency task or remind you of a last minute duty. Even if you don’t act on it immediately, it can easily bring back that black cloud of guilt and break the serenity of the weekend.