Why Your Weekends Really Need To Be Different Right Now

During a virtual training Q and A this past week, a participant said they had stopped looking at their work week and weekend as different entities. They reasoned that because they were already home all week, they just kept working through the weekend.

While I cringed at her comment, I could see her reasoning. With most of the country on lock down and social distancing the norm for all of us, the weekends can seem a little insignificant if we compare them to ones pre-Covid19.

My belief is that the two days between the work week, for those who have such a schedule, are more critical now than ever. Why? Read on:

You're more exhausted than ever.

Between trying to figure out how to work from home, manage your children's day, and trying to stay sane during this pandemic, you are expending way more physical, mental, and emotional energy than you realize. And I don't know about you, but I'm sometimes not sleeping as well at night. A weekend filled with activities that nourish your body, mind, and soul is so important.

You need that sense of normalcy.

Our work weeks no longer have the level of routine they once did. We're still asking ourselves, "How do we do that virtually?" or "How could that be taken care of online?" The dynamics in our home continue to shift as different warnings and concerns come to light as a result of the virus. Be honest. You're frequently asking yourself, "When will things return to normal?" While there will probably only be a "new normal" in our future, weekends have always offered something familiar... a time to escape the cares of the world, albeit for a little while. We look forward to them because they are the days we have greater control over our schedule, and a sense of control over something is essential for our mental well-being.

We look forward to weekends because they are the days we have greater control over our schedule, and a healthy sense of control over something is essential for our mental well-being.

You want something to look forward to.

When most of us were working in a physical space away from home, we looked forward to "coming home." Now we are home... all week. Planning a weekend of activities that differentiate the time differently from the work week gives you stronger motivation to get the right work done during the week.

Your neck, eyes, and brain need a break from technology.

I've completed at least 20 virtual training sessions on how to work from home in the past week. I'm amazed how many people are STILL looking down at their laptops on coffee tables or in their lap. While it might work well for reading or typing, the screen needs to be higher when possible to reduce neck strain. Additionally, people are actually spending more times on screens because of all the video calls and working virtually. I would be willing to wager that most people aren't practicing the 20/20/20 rule: For every 20 minutes you are looking at a computer screen, you should refocus your eyes on something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

So where do you start planning a better weekend? Here are some resources I've found that may be of help. Some are interesting reads about the value of weekends while others give suggestions on what to do with your time away from work:

Kevin Eikenberry's A Dose of Fun

14 Scientific Reasons To Disconnect On The Weekends

The Isolation Expert's Guide To Lockdown Living

How Lockdown Redefines Our Weekends

100 Things To Do While Trapped Inside Due To A Pandemic

How will you make this weekend different than the work week?

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Jones Loflin is a global keynote speaker offering innovative strategies for those struggling with too much to do. He is the author of several books, including Always Growing and the award-winning Juggling Elephants. Jones is well-known for his solutions for individuals, groups and businesses dealing with leadership development, work-life satisfaction, and change. To learn more about Jones, go to www.jonesloflin.com