Most people understand how, why, and when to be productive at work. When it comes to professional tasks or tasks that help us plan our lives and manage our affairs, we tend to take a clear view and plan out our duties.
But this isn’t always the case when we have a day off. Perhaps, if you don’t have specific plans, you find yourself relaxing in front of the television for too long, scrolling social media for longer than you’d like, or simply procrastinating and getting nothing done. Maybe you just work on other tasks and never really relax or enjoy self-care like you know you should.
Well, now it’s the holidays, let’s really focus on perfecting that day off, without that feeling of guilt you might have for not being ultra-productive. Learning how to enjoy yourself is a skill, after all.
Disconnect From Your Work Devices
The internet and general connectivity makes us available throughout most of the day. This isn’t always a good thing. It also means that if you’re the kind to be organized, work can be nagging on your day off, or emails might come that you feel you have to respond to, or, of course, you might be called in, which in almost all cases you can just ignore outside of an emergency. Disconnecting from your work device is a good place to start. Place it in a locked drawer, and don’t think about work until you’re paid to do so. It’s an obvious tip, but many feel guilty for doing it. Consider this permission.
Really, Genuinely Indulge
You get to enjoy your day off however you see fit. Don’t ask for permission. Don’t feel bad for not being “productive enough.” If you need rest and comfort, enjoy it. You might balance relaxation with healthy activities of course, such as walking your dog or going for a hike, and then heading home to enjoy a hydrojelly mask for the best skincare. When you can care for yourself like this, you begin to become more adept at the comfort you’re looking for, instead of feeling distracted by more productive tasks. Planning an indulgence can be a great way to stick to your plan.
Enjoy Offline Activities
We’ve already mentioned disconnecting from your devices, but it’s also important to note that using computers, social media, or even watching shows can make your day fly past. Now that’s not to say you can’t listen to music through a streaming app or whatever other approach you enjoy, only reading a book, enjoying gardening, perhaps drawing, enjoying crafts, heading to a local sports or exercise class, meeting a friend at a cafe, all of these offline activities are nothing if not rewarding and can help the day feel longer and more connected.
The ever-cycling flow of online content can not only make the day fly past, but make us feel as though we never had the chance to rest. With such preparations, you’ll avoid that outcome.
With this advice, you’re certain to perfect that day off in the healthiest possible way.
