Weekends are very important for anyone who works long shifts during the week as it is a time to unwind and enjoy yourself. But, spending your weekend binge-watching shows or being absorbed in social media can be draining to your mental health. In order to be happy and have a successful weekend, it is important to incorporate healthy habits into your weekends to feel more refreshed at the start of a new week.

Who Should I Spend Time With During the Weekend?

The weekends are the best time to be with your friends and family. A 2014 study from Stanford University says that your emotional well-being increases by 15% on the weekends with that number increases the more time we spend with family and friends. People who are alone on the weekends are wallowing in being alone which can make them depressed. Especially if you are unemployed, those weekends are normally spent alone. The weekends could be a good break for you as your friends and family are off on the weekends and they will be able to spend more time with you.

What Is a Productive Activity to Do During the Weekends?

Exercise is a very productivity activity that should be done on the weekends. Successful people like Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey choose to make exercise a priority to them. It works wonders with your cardiovascular system which will not only improve your memory and learning ability but will release feel-good endorphins. A 2018 study published in The Lancet proved that 43% of people who exercised had fewer days of poor mental health compared to those who did not exercise. Social exercises tend to have a higher effect such as walking with a friend, playing a sport, or going for a nice swim. Think about what exercise works well for you and make a routine to stick with it. 

What Is the Best Way to Relax During the Weekends?

Meditation and mindfulness can help increase your overall happiness. If you are too busy during the week to meditate, dedicating 15 to 20 minutes of your time can provide mental health benefits. Winfrey says that whenever she meditates, she feels a sense of hope, contentment, and deep joy. Meditation can allow you to be grounded and focused in the moment. Engaging in healthy activities during the weekend will help you feel more energized and happy for the next week.

Located in Georgetown, Texas, Alma Loma is a transformative living center to help those struggling in early recovery to transition out of our Psychiatric and Substance Abuse residential center. Alma Loma believes that addiction is born from an untreated mental illness in which our facility is willing to help you. Our facility offers residency, medication management education, individualized treatment, life skills education, 12-step support, and more tools to bring patients the confidence to be able to live an independent life. For more information, please call us at 866-457-3843.