5 ways to "destress" after a long work week

Everyone looks forward to the weekend, but is it really helpful to "veg" for two days just to peal yourself off the couch and repeat? Here are my best suggestions to infuse some energy into life and conquer stress, instead of hoping for a stalemate.

1. Work on Yourself: Set aside time to practice self-improvement. This can be exercise, meditation, studying a new language or learning about something that has no practical purpose other than stimulating your curiosity. New knowledge and skill improves confidence and creates resistance to anxiety and depression.

2. Stay Off the Couch: We all have chores and other obligations that intrude on our "free" time. Don't head for the sofa and TV to reward yourself after everything you do. Some of your work should be fun and satisfying to do--get an awesome hobby.

3. Try Something New: Hobbies are great and can be very rewarding, but keep your eye out for the next one. We can limit ourselves with prejudice and dismiss some options before we give them a chance--do something our friends and/or family want to do, even if we don't want to. The worst case is you are right.

4. Distance Yourself from Work: Some of us have to monitor emails and phone calls, but, if we can't eliminate them, reduce them. Set aside a time when we can review and return work communications, in a calm environment. Don't try to do work while otherwise engaged; you will ruin your fun and reduce work performance.

5. Plan Future Weekends: Take some time to think of something new and exciting, for another weekend. Set these plans into motion; make arrangements--send invitations or coordinate travel, etc. It does not have to cost a lot of money; it can be simple and cheap--just make it happen

#stress #work