| 4 SATISFYING THINGS TO DO ON A DAY OFF |
| Taking a day off has become harder to do. Technology can keep us connected to our jobs 24/7. And for those of us working from home, the line between work-time and time-off time is easily blurred. Yet research shows working too many hours reduces both your efficiency and the amount of work you get done. People who never take a day off eventually burn out. So, take care of yourself and take a day off—for your own sake, and the sake of your family, friends, and work. |
| Do something you put off. This could be signing up and going to an exercise class you’ve been wanting to start. Or you could arrange to finally get together with friends you haven’t seen in a while. Maybe take a day trip to a new place you’ve been intending to check out. Or perhaps you could put in a flower bed or new shrubs to your landscaping or add a few more plants inside your home. Enjoy lounging with an informative article or an entertaining book you haven’t had the time to read. Or you can finally assemble that piece of furniture you bought weeks ago and left sitting in the box. |
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| Cook something new. Go to the grocery store and buy everything you need to try out a new recipe. It could be a soup with ingredients you’ve never used, such as chickpeas, lentils, or barley. Or you could learn a main course you’ve been wondering about, such as homemade bread, beef stroganoff, or a vegan shepherd’s pie. Or tackle an offbeat dessert, such as s’mores popcorn, salted pretzel brownies, or something made with a special ingredient—saffron, ricotta cheese, or quince jelly. You could even try a new cooking technique, such as using a slow cooker, air-fryer, wok, or hibachi. A day off is a great time to have some fun in the kitchen. |
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| Complete small chores with big payoffs. Things you put off often take little time, and it feels so gratifying to have them done. Here are some examples. Trim down and organize those piles of mail, papers, children’s artwork, magazines, and anything else that never found a home. Clean all your kitchen utensils, as well as the drawers and containers you keep them in. Clean the inside of the fridge and wipe down all the contents. Wash all the windows. This sounds intimidating, but once you grab the spray and paper towels, you’ll be done before you know it, and your home will be brighter. Look around and see other simple and equally gratifying tasks—straightening bookshelves, tidying up makeup and toiletries, and more. |
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| Chill out. The best thing to do on a day off can be “nothing.” Throw a load of laundry in the machine and watch a movie while the wash gets done. Curl up in your most comfortable chair and read. You don’t have to be productive—take a walk through the neighborhood. Drive to your nearest state park and go on a hike through the woods. Maybe just treat yourself to an ice cream sundae and enjoy it in front of the TV. See friends for a coffee or take a drive to the most beautiful place you know within an hour or so of your home. But no matter what, do not pick up your phone for a text or a call unless it’s an emergency! |
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