Treat Your Weekends Like a Vacation: A Happiness Researcher’s Surprising Tip
By the time the weekend arrives, many of us are already exhausted from the workweek. We spend our free time running errands, doing chores, and catching up on work. But what if we told you that treating your weekends like a vacation could actually increase your happiness and satisfaction?
According to Cassie Holmes, a happiness researcher and author of “Happier Hour: How to Beat Distraction, Expand Your Time, and Focus on What Matters Most,” weekends should be a time to break out of our routines and simply be. Holmes conducted an experiment in 2017, where she asked some participants to treat their weekends like a vacation, while others continued with their usual routine. Those who took a vacation mindset showed higher levels of satisfaction and positivity when they returned to work.
So, how can you start treating your weekends like a vacation? Holmes suggests starting by carving out one day a week to do whatever makes you feel relaxed and disconnected from your normal routine. This could be taking a day trip, trying a new restaurant, or spending the day at a spa. Even small breaks, like taking a cocktail after doing the dishes or listening to your favorite podcast while folding clothes, can make a big difference.
Many successful people, including Mark Cuban and Richard Branson, use a similar approach to make their Mondays more productive. They prioritize spending time with loved ones and engaging in activities that bring them joy, rather than using their weekends to catch up on work.
However, Holmes warns that it’s important not to make this a routine. Spending all of your weekends like vacations can reduce their emotional and mental impact, so it’s best to reserve this mindset for when you really need a break.
By adopting a vacation mindset on the weekends, you can increase your happiness, satisfaction, and productivity. So, take a cue from Holmes and treat your weekends like a vacation. Your mind and body will thank you.