We love days off just as much as the next person, but if there’s one gripe that we have with most people’s idea of what the perfect day off looks like, it’s the fact that most of them aren’t well-planned or have any semblance of a plan at all. And while there’s nothing wrong with taking things slow and letting the hours pan out without paying mind to, whatever happens, there’s a lot more you could do with a bit of foresight.
You see, while the concept of maximizing your time and efficiency on a rest day may seem counterproductive, it’s actually a lot more satisfying to power through and to get the most out of all the things you’ve put on the backburner for too long. And if you have quite the list and are unsure of where to start, here’s what you can include in your plan that generally works for most people’s demands:
Pamper Yourself To Oblivion And Back!
No day off is complete without copious amounts of pampering, and with all that stress, tension, and anxiety you’ve been dealing with for the past few months or so, any bit of relaxation you can get is justified and deserved. Specifically, we suggest you (1) book a Swedish massage if you haven’t been to the spa recently and (2) plan a trip to the beauty salon to get your hair and nails done.
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Book a Swedish Massage
A Swedish massage is perfect for pain management and opening up those joints that feel tight due to sitting all day long. And while you can go for a deep tissue massage if you’re feeling a bit quirky and don’t mind staying inside the spa for longer, a Swedish massage therapy session is far more convenient and accessible. Plus, your local spa might just have one of the brand-new laser hair removal machines for you to try too.
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A Trip T=to the Beauty Salon
Once you’re finished with improving your blood flow and increasing your range of motion back to full form, we recommend doubling down on your pampering session with a trip to the beauty salon. Often, we get so busy that we don’t have the time or freedom to invest in personal care for our hair and nails. So, taking the opportunity to visit a professional or someone you can trust is the best way to use your time.
Catch Up With Your Hobbies and Interests
Apart from pampering yourself, your day off should always adhere to your hobbies and interests, which means taking this chance to catch up on everything you’ve put on hold or have been saving for later. And for all the homebody people who can’t wait to snuggle up and hunker down, we recommend (1) binging your to-watch list and (2) picking up your arts and crafts for the rest of the day.
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Binging Your To-Watch List
If you’ve been slacking on you’re Netflix shows or your favorite HBO Max series these past few months, you’ll be surprised at how quickly those episodes pile up while you’re gone. So, filter through all of your to-watch lists and narrow them down to specific films or seasons you’ve been dying to see. And, if you haven’t noticed yet, Amazon Prime is coming out with The Rings of Power later this year, which means you’ll need all the extra slack for watching before it releases.
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Picking Up Your Arts and Crafts
Although it might look and sound cliche to pick up your arts and crafts on a day off, it’s still one of the best and most effective ways of relaxing and putting your mind at ease. Of course, everyone’s experience with art is pretty different, so whether that’s painting, knitting, or among the many others not mentioned, feel free to use your day off as an opportunity for creative expression.
However, Please Be Mindful Of Your Budget
Last but not least, before you go out and do everything mentioned above, please be mindful of your budget because you don’t want to break the bank on a single day off. At the end of the day, we still have to practice some restraint and responsibility with our actions, no matter how tempting going on a splurge sounds in your head.
Of course, there’s a lot more leeway on a day off, and being too strict is bad, but try not to spend so much where you’re wallowing in buyer’s remorse the next day.
Sleeping in is Great, But Nothing Beats an Exciting Plan
Overall, while sleeping in can be a great alternative, nothing beats an exciting plan that covers all your bases and needs for relaxation. And if you’re up for the challenge, you can take things further by planning an adult spring break if time allows it.