Natalia Autenrieth 
Make the most of your day away from work
We all look forward to our days off. Whether it's a weekend, a personal day, or a holiday, we count the hours until we finally get a stretch of free time and can make relax. Unfortunately, days off often fail to live up to our expectations. Have you ever returned to the office feeling sluggish and frazzled ‒ more in need of another break than ready to tackle the newest challenge? Read on to get a few tips and things to do on your day off to really recharge.
Handle those chores
Sure, days off are for relaxing and having fun, but the reality is that most of us have unavoidable obligations, like an errand or chore. Make a list of annoying chores and compress them into a single block of time. Maybe you dedicate the morning hours between nine and 11 am to straightening up the house, tackling laundry, and making the grocery shopping list. Batching these unavoidable tasks can help you to keep your life on track so they're out of the way when it's time to return to work.
If you're working from home, you may think it excusable to put off laundry or the washing up and do it during the workday. This is not a good idea, because the tasks you think will take minutes can wind up taking over your day. Complete these chores on your day off, so your working from home actually means working.
Get yourself moving
One of the best things to do on your day off is to get up and go! Exercise is a fantastic tool for getting in touch with your senses. It can also strengthen your muscles, reduce certain health risks, and boost your mood.
If you enjoy working out at the gym or biking – great! If not, remember that any movement is better than being stationary. Something as low-impact as gentle walking can have a tremendous impact on both longevity and quality of life.
Respect your way of recharging
Some of us are energised when we join a large group of friends and family, whilst others need some alone time to reset and relax. No matter which one is true for you, know yourself in order to have a nice relaxing day. Don't let others pressure you into "relaxing" in a way that's actually stressful for you.
Eat well
It's relatively easy to eat well during the work week; between cooking at home and taking lunch to the office, we can often manage to keep our choices reasonably healthy. However, many of us fall off the wagon on days off by overindulging.
Whilst there is nothing wrong with an occasional decadent meal or sumptuous dessert, keep in mind that your body's chemistry does not check out at the weekends! Pay attention to how different foods make you feel.
Prepare for the morning
This may not be one of the most fun things to do on your day off, but think about the little ways that you can make your next work morning smoother and take care of the basics in advance. This might mean cleaning up the kitchen, preparing and setting the coffee maker, or packing lunch. Anything that takes just a few extra minutes on your day off and creates space on a busy morning is a good thing.
If you're working from home, preparing a lunch in advance can still help your workday go smoothly because you won't distract yourself raiding the fridge at midday. Additionally, simple actions like setting up your computer and notebook can help you to feel more ready to start the day.
Take a nap
Taking a nap effectively breaks up your relaxing day into two days off – how's that for a bonus? Many studies point to the benefits of a short nap, including improved attention span, better stress management, and a sense of being more present. Keep it to 20–30 minutes to get the optimal benefit.
Watch your stimulant and alcohol use
Whether we are tired, stressed, relaxed, or celebrating, we often reach for caffeine or alcohol. Whilst most people will find that there's nothing wrong with enjoying those in moderation, excessive reliance can lead to health issues down the line. If you're reaching for your fourth espresso of the day because you're feeling sluggish, perhaps a drink of water, a brisk walk, or some sleep might better address the underlying cause.
Build in a treat
Make your relaxing day feel a little more special by taking a bath or extra-long shower, enjoying a delicious snack, or curling up with a book. Even if you can't spend the entire day doing what you love, don't let that hold you back from dedicating 30 minutes to simple pleasures that make you smile.
Unplug and enjoy the day
That can be trickier than it sounds because FOMO ‒ the fear of missing out ‒ can drive us to remain glued to our social media feeds and emails even on relaxing days that are meant to be just for us. This is a tough addiction to break. However, if you feel that you pay more attention to your digital devices than to friends and family, or if you sense that your phone is interfering with your ability to enjoy your time off, it may be high time for an intervention.
Let's say you've made a decision to relax at home for the evening with a simple meal of roast chicken and vegetables. As you're seasoning the bird for that extra-crunchy finish and washing carrots, you decide to take a quick look at your Facebook feed. In the next 30 seconds, you learn that one of your friends is at a Beyonce concert. Another one is at the newest restaurant about to dig into a Neopolitan pizza with an expensive bottle of wine. Someone else is enjoying a beach bonfire.
Unless you have the serenity of a Buddhist monk, that brief scroll through Facebook will probably make you question your own choice of things to do on your day off. All of a sudden, you may find yourself wishing you were somewhere else doing something more exciting than peeling vegetables. Your quiet evening at home is no longer a treat, but a poor choice that won't win you likes in your newsfeed.
Can you take your life back from FOMO? Yes, you can. The first step is to notice what's happening. The second step is to recognise that the perpetual comparison game is not winnable – in fact, it's costing you peace and presence right now. The third step is to strategically manage your exposure to newsfeeds. This is particularly important on your days off from work, when your choices should reflect your own preferences ‒ not score you points in a popularity contest.
It may be impossible to eradicate FOMO completely, but you do have the power to minimise it. Designating a somewhat distant plug-in location for your mobile can do wonders. Try keeping your phone off the table at mealtimes, and charge it outside of your bedroom so you're not tempted to take that last scroll at 11:45 pm. Or, if you don't handle moderation well, you might try a week-long social media fast to break your habit of perpetual scrolling. There are many tips and tricks you could try to wean yourself off, so find the mix that will help you to stay present and enjoy where you are.
If you're conducting a job search, use your day off to craft a strong CV. Start with a free CV review.
Editor's Note: This article was originally published on our sister site, TopResume.