HERE ARE 10 TIPS THAT WILL MAKE YOU ENJOY THE WEEKEND

Your weekends are precious — you'll want to make the most of them. You’ve probably worked all week with one target in mind — getting to the weekend and then doing something useful with it! Yet often when you actually reach the weekend, it tends to fizzle out and not quite live up to your expectations.

The following top 10 tips aim to help you make the most of your weekends — so that by the time Monday comes, you’ll feel refreshed, on top of things, and fulfilled about what you’ve done in your time off.

Weekend tip 1: Make plans

Decide during the week exactly what it is you’re aiming to do at the weekend. Jot everything down so you know what your weekend plan is well in advance. This doesn’t mean you can’t allow for a bit of spontaneity here and there, of course, but in the main you should know what it is you want to get out of your weekend. If you don’t have any plans, you will very often end up doing nothing!

Weekend tip 2: Meet up with your friends

We nearly always have the best time with our friends, yet sometimes we put off making that phone call to arrange something because we can’t be bothered. If you make the effort, though, you know it will be worthwhile! And if you’re short of ideas of what to do with your weekend, it’s likely that once you all get together you will be able to come up with a plan.

Weekend tip 3: Get outdoors

Admittedly the weather is not always on our side — but if you’re prepared for whatever the elements might throw at you, then you shouldn’t be too concerned about getting out into the fresh air. Simply get outdoors and go for a walk, run, hike, cycle — or anything else you can think of! It’s amazing how getting a bit of exercise and fresh air will leave you energized — and if you share the experience with others, then that’s an added bonus.

Weekend tip 4: Avoid drinking too much alcohol

There’s no denying that most of us enjoy a drink, and the temptation when we reach Friday night is often to have a few too many. However, the next day you’ll probably feel a bit off-color and spend most of the day in bed or nursing the hangover — and so the day will pass without you having done anything. Our advice is therefore to take it easy when you’re drinking. A little alcohol can help you to relax at the weekend — but don’t let it rule your time off!

Weekend tip 5: Allot some ‘you’ time

Rushing around and filling your time with all sorts of activities can be great fun, but will also be tiring. You may even feel at some point as though you’ve overdone it — and being constantly surrounded by activity and people can certainly take its toll on you, both mentally and physically. So, try to set some time aside for yourself, when you can indulge yourself in a book, listen to some music, or just chill out.

Weekend tip 6: Allow yourself some catch-up time

Weekends are about having fun, but can also be a good time to catch up on those things that have been niggling away at you for some time. Make use of your weekend by fitting some of these activities in — whether they are DIY jobs that you’ve been putting off, or financial issues that you need to sort out. Actually getting down to it will make you feel a lot better, as you’ll feel as though you’ve achieved something during your weekend.

Weekend tip 7: Put some things off

There are some things that can be done at any time — not just at the weekend. If you arrange your time in the week sufficiently well — for example by doing some small jobs during your lunchtimes — then that should leave plenty of time at the weekend to do the things you really want to do. Doing a bit of a job every day or night of the week can prevent you having to do it during your precious weekend!

Weekend tip 8: Avoid routine

Our lives sometimes get in a rut, and we do the same old things week-in, week-out. Often this is because our jobs force us into these routines — but at the weekend, you will have time to break them. Jolt yourself into a whole new weekend frame of mind by trying something different, taking up invitations, and avoiding the thoughts of what you usually do on a Saturday or Sunday.

Weekend tip 9: Find a new hobby

Getting a new hobby can help you fulfill some of the other tips mentioned here. If you join a club, it’s likely you’ll have set plans most weekends and will have new friends to meet — plus your activity could well be outdoors. It will also help to break up a dull routine, and will give you something to look forward to. Alternatively, your new hobby could be something that you enjoy doing by yourself, and could be the ‘time out’ that you need in your weekend.

Weekend tip 10: Get sporty!

Admittedly, not everyone will be able to carry their legs around a football field for 90 minutes on a Sunday morning, but if you can do a little physical activity, you will feel great and get good health benefits. Alternatively, you could get outdoors and watch some sport first-hand, rather than watching it on TV. The weekend is when most sporting activity takes place — so why not get out of the house and see a game of football, rugby, basketball or another sport? It may even inspire you to start playing the sport yourself!