Some of us fall into what seems like a relentless cycle of pushing through the work week and looking to the weekend to be the level set we need for rest, rejuvenation, and refocus. However, when the weekend rolls in, we are usually faced with our ongoing to-do lists, familial and social plans, and any other obligation, all to be accomplished within 48 hours. Often our own desire for rest and renewal fades into the background, and Monday is here before you know it.

Certainly, completing our weekend tasks can be satisfying, socializing with friends and family can be energizing, fun, and comforting, and both contribute to our overall well-being. And yet, we still may feel like we had to hurry through the weekend and didn’t get a chance to rest and refocus.

When we add some intentional daily recovery activities throughout the week and weekend, we can prevent our energy (mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual) from being completely depleted and come out of our weekends better than we started. 

Daily recovery activities constitute essential self-care practices. These brief moments accumulate, contributing to enhanced overall well-being. Below are a few examples:

• Adding more movement in your day, a few more steps, stretching
• Practicing a meditation, a few minutes to journal, identifying one thing you want to achieve, and one thing you want to enjoy today
• Attending an EAP or Your Plan for Health (YP4H) webinar and learn something new or reinforce your knowledge
• Take a mini break from your devices (cellphone, tablets, computers, etc.)
• Enjoy a moment in nature
• Read or listen to a book
• Talk to a friend, colleague, or a counselor

By prioritizing daily energy recovery rather than waiting for the weekend, we can consistently experience rest and renewal. This enables us to take control of our lives and be present where we want to be.

If you would like to utilize your Ohio State University Employee Assistance Program counseling or work/life benefits, please call 800-678-6265 or submit an online request here: Counseling Request or Work/Life Request.