Mastering the Art of Rest: Simple Activities for Your Day Off

Happy Labor Day! This Monday, I wanted to share something a little different from my typical “Quote of the Week” post. I’ve noticed that many people don’t really know how to rest. Oftentimes, when people get a day off work, they’ll do chores around their house or run errands. If people are still in school, they might catch up on homework. I frequently do this myself, and don’t get me wrong: getting household tasks completed on your day off is perfectly fine. Work is healthy and good; however, we should also let ourselves rest sometimes.

I’ve also noticed (and have done this myself) that when people do let themselves sit down and take a break, they turn on the TV or scroll on social media. Once again, this isn’t inherently wrong, but there are activities you can do that will bring you a lot more rest than watching flashing lights from a flat screen. Below, I have created a list of activities you can do that will help you rest. If you’re struggling with burnout, don’t know how to spend your free time, or just want to do something other than watch TV or work, this post is for you.

1. Go on a Walk

Get some fresh air, move your body, let your mind relax. It doesn’t have to be an hour-long hike. A fifteen-minute walk around your neighborhood can also lift your spirits.

2. Play a Card/Board Game with Friends and Family

This can be a great way to laugh, forget about your worries, and spend quality time with those you love. Here’s a list of some of my family’s favorite games to play: Spoons, Uno, Apples to Apples, Aggravation, and Monopoly.

3. Complete a DIY Project

Go create something. Do it for the fun of it and don’t worry about the final product. It doesn’t have to be perfect. No one cares. Just have fun and use that artistic mind of yours.

4. Have a Picnic

Once again, this doesn’t have to be an extravagant activity. Just slap together some sandwiches or go through a drive-through and pick up some cheeseburgers. Then go to the nearest park and enjoy the fresh air while you eat.

5. Journal

Journaling can actually be a relaxing activity. You get to write by hand, and you can even sit outside while you write. If you never know what to write in your journal, you can check out my blog post “5 Journaling Prompts to Help Reduce Stress.”

Closing Thoughts

Before I finish this post, I want to remind you of one last thing: rest can be guilt-free. There have been so many times in my life when I took a break from my work, but I felt guilty about taking that break. All I could do was worry about the work that I needed to get done. Then, when I finished my break, I didn’t feel rested at all. I just felt like I wasted my time.

Don’t worry! You can rest without feeling guilty. It’s okay to enjoy taking a break sometimes. When you allow yourself to rest without feeling guilty about it, you can come back to your work feeling refreshed and ready to start again.

I hope this post was a helpful reminder to you. Be sure to let me know how you rest. What makes you feel rejuvenated? Do you ever feel guilty about taking a break from work? How do you find time to rest?