Crazy Lean Belly: Need a break? Try treating your weekend like a vacation

Thursday, 15 June 2023

Need a break? Try treating your weekend like a vacation

Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.

How to treat your weekend like a vacation

By Angela Haupt

Health and Wellness Editor

How many times a week do you grumble about how much you need a vacation? My frequency was pretty high—until I discovered that, with a simple mindset shift, I could reap many of the benefits, no travel required.

All you need to do is get in the habit of treating your weekend like a vacation. That means soaking in the present moment, and making sure you’re truly separated from the usual grind in a special way. Research suggests that those who adopt the philosophy are happier and less stressed when they go back to work on Monday than those who have a regular weekend.

Consider these expert tips on how to get started:

Get creative about making time. If you’re already worried about how you’ll get your chores done, plan on carving out one hour for them on Sunday morning. Or, if you’re busy with kids, take them to a fun museum during the day and then get a babysitter for two hours in the evening.
Reflect on priorities. What makes a vacation different from a regular weekend for you? Perhaps it’s turning off your email notifications, skipping your workout, or spending time with people you normally don’t get to see.
And remember: the mindset shift isn’t intended to replace actual vacations. Rather, it’s an effective way to turn two days off from work into a real break, without having to spend more money than usual or take additional time off.

Share This Story

What Else to Read

Allyson Felix: Tori Bowie Can't Die In Vain

By Allyson Felix

"Three gold medalists from that 4 x 100 relay team in Rio set out to become mothers. All three of us...had serious complications."

When Gut Bacteria May Be an Early Sign of Alzheimer’s Disease

By Alice Park

A study finds that certain types of microbes in the gut can be an early warning for Alzheimer's.

Harvard Medical Morgue Chief Charged With Selling Body Parts

By Janelle Lawrence/Bloomberg

Cedric Lodge was indicted on federal charges he stole body parts as part of a human-remains trafficking conspiracy.

Suicides and Homicides Among Young Americans Jumped During the Pandemic

By Mike Stobbe/AP

Higher rates of depression, a lack of mental-health services, and the number of guns in U.S. homes are possible reasons for the increases.

Confidence in Science Fell in 2022—Especially Along Political Lines

By Maddie Burakoff/AP

A partisan divide in views of both science and medicine emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ONE LAST READ

How conservative doctors helped dismantle health care for some groups

The American College of Pediatricians, a fringe group of conservative physicians, has played a massive role in pushing anti-abortion and anti-transgender policies nationwide for multiple years, write Lauren Weber, Caitlin Gilbert, and Taylor Lorenz for the Washington Post.

Their analysis of the group's files show misrepresentations of scientific research, close associations with conservative religious organizations, and clear attempts to limit health care for certain vulnerable groups.