How to Have a Good Weekend

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1 Spending Time Decompressing
2 Having Fun
3 Being Productive Other Sections
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Co-authored by Annie Lin, MBA

Last Updated: January 13, 2024 References

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This article was co-authored by Annie Lin, MBA. Annie Lin is the founder of New York Life Coaching, a life and career coaching service based in Manhattan. Her holistic approach, combining elements from both Eastern and Western wisdom traditions, has made her a highly sought-after personal coach. Annie’s work has been featured in Elle Magazine, NBC News, New York Magazine, and BBC World News. She holds an MBA degree from Oxford Brookes University. Annie is also the founder of the New York Life Coaching Institute which offers a comprehensive life coach certification program.

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Weekends are an important break from the regular work week, giving you time to relax and do things that you’re interested in. Try to take part in a stress-relieving activity — such as exercising, spending time outside, or disconnecting from social media — while also dedicating some time to your passions or hobbies. If you need to get some work done over the weekend, set a time limit and make sure your to-do list is reasonable.

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Method
1 Method 1 of 3:

Spending Time Decompressing

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  1. {“smallUrl”:”https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2c\/Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-1.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”\/images\/thumb\/2\/2c\/Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-1.jpg\/aid6082525-v4-728px-Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-1.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=\”mw-parser-output\”><p>License: <a target=\”_blank\” rel=\”nofollow noreferrer noopener\” class=\”external text\” href=\”https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\”>Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>”} 1 Take time to exercise. Exercising is a great way to relieve stress and get into shape after a long week. Hit the gym, play a sport, or even go for a short walk to get your body moving and your mind more relaxed. [1] X Research source
    • Get your heart pumping with 30 minutes of aerobic activity like jogging, swimming, etc.
    • Go for a bike ride, lift weights, or jumprope.
    • You can create your own workout routine by perusing online ideas or using an exercise app.
  2. 2 Get outside. Nature has a very positive effect on your mental well-being. If the weather is nice, try to spend at least an hour outside each day. Go for a walk in your neighborhood, take a trip to a park, or spend some time in your garden or backyard.
    • Feel free to take off your shoes and socks before going outside; going barefoot always feels good, especially if you’ve been on your feet throughout the week.
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[2] X Research source

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  1. {“smallUrl”:”https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/40\/Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-3.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”\/images\/thumb\/4\/40\/Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-3.jpg\/aid6082525-v4-728px-Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-3.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=\”mw-parser-output\”><p>License: <a target=\”_blank\” rel=\”nofollow noreferrer noopener\” class=\”external text\” href=\”https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\”>Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>”} 1 Relax by meditating or doing yoga. Whether you’ve tried it before or not, meditating is a great way to refocus your mind and relax. You can meditate at home in your spare time, or you can join a class in your community. [3] X Research source
    • Put aside 20 minutes in the morning and before you go to sleep to sit quietly and clear your mind.
    • Try simple yoga poses such as a sun salutation or the upward facing dog.
  2. {“smallUrl”:”https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/78\/Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-4.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”\/images\/thumb\/7\/78\/Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-4.jpg\/aid6082525-v4-728px-Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-4.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=\”mw-parser-output\”><p>License: <a target=\”_blank\” rel=\”nofollow noreferrer noopener\” class=\”external text\” href=\”https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\”>Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>”} 2 Disconnect from social media. It’s totally fine to check social media to see what friends are up to, but don’t spend your whole weekend with your eyes glued to your computer or phone. Try to avoid using social media to enjoy some down time. [4] X Research source
    • Leave your phone in your room or on a table instead of carrying it around the house with you.
    • Close your laptop and put it in a drawer or its case to make yourself less likely to use it.
  3. {“smallUrl”:”https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9a\/Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-5.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”\/images\/thumb\/9\/9a\/Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-5.jpg\/aid6082525-v4-728px-Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-5.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=\”mw-parser-output\”><p>License: <a target=\”_blank\” rel=\”nofollow noreferrer noopener\” class=\”external text\” href=\”https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\”>Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>”} 3 Listen to music. Turn on some music when you’re doing chores, cooking a meal, or just relaxing on a porch. It’ll help you relax while also making monotonous tasks much more fun. [5] X Research source
  4. {“smallUrl”:”https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d7\/Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-6.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”\/images\/thumb\/d\/d7\/Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-6.jpg\/aid6082525-v4-728px-Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-6.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=\”mw-parser-output\”><p>License: <a target=\”_blank\” rel=\”nofollow noreferrer noopener\” class=\”external text\” href=\”https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\”>Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>”} 4 Read a good book. Either pick out a book from one of your own shelves or visit the local library to choose one to borrow. Spend at least 30 minutes reading to let your mind relax and enjoy the story. [6] X Research source
    • Visit a bookstore to pick out a new book.
    • Download a new book on your Kindle or tablet.
  5. {“smallUrl”:”https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/80\/Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-7.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”\/images\/thumb\/8\/80\/Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-7.jpg\/aid6082525-v4-728px-Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-7.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=\”mw-parser-output\”><p>License: <a target=\”_blank\” rel=\”nofollow noreferrer noopener\” class=\”external text\” href=\”https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\”>Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>”} 5 Catch up on your sleep. Weekends are great for recharging so that you’re energized and ready for the next week. Try to get a reasonable amount of sleep each night — 8 hours is ideal — so that your body stays happy and healthy. [7] X Research source
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Quiz

wikiHow Quiz: What Should I Do?

Not sure how to cure a case of boredom? Being bored can drain your energy and bring down your mood, which is why we’re here to help you out—and hopefully make your day a little more interesting. We’ve prepared a handy quiz to help you narrow down that list of activities and find a fun pastime that you’ll truly enjoy! 1 of 14

Who do you spend the most time with?

Myself or a couple of close friends.

Friends with similar interests.

Friends who can keep up with me.

Friends, family, acquaintances—whoever is around.

Next Method
2 Method 2 of 3:

Having Fun

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  1. {“smallUrl”:”https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/38\/Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-8.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”\/images\/thumb\/3\/38\/Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-8.jpg\/aid6082525-v4-728px-Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-8.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=\”mw-parser-output\”><p>License: <a target=\”_blank\” rel=\”nofollow noreferrer noopener\” class=\”external text\” href=\”https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\”>Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>”} 1 Enjoy a great meal. You can go out to a restaurant to try new menu items or special drinks, or you can take the time to create a great meal at home. Make a list of ingredients and stop by a local grocery store before cooking, or pick out a restaurant that you’ve been meaning to try out. [8] X Research source
  2. {“smallUrl”:”https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3b\/Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-9.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”\/images\/thumb\/3\/3b\/Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-9.jpg\/aid6082525-v4-728px-Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-9.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=\”mw-parser-output\”><p>License: <a target=\”_blank\” rel=\”nofollow noreferrer noopener\” class=\”external text\” href=\”https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\”>Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>”} 2 Pursue a passion. Think of a hobby that you love and dedicate part or all of your weekend to it. If you don’t have a specific passion that you love, spend some time trying out new ones. [9] X Research source
    • For example, if you love to paint, take a few hours during the weekend to take a painting class or create a painting in your own home.
    • Try out new hobbies such as running, wood carving, or dancing.
  3. {“smallUrl”:”https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/88\/Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-10.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”\/images\/thumb\/8\/88\/Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-10.jpg\/aid6082525-v4-728px-Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-10.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=\”mw-parser-output\”><p>License: <a target=\”_blank\” rel=\”nofollow noreferrer noopener\” class=\”external text\” href=\”https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\”>Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>”} 3 Take a vacation or day trip. Use the weekend to take the family to the beach, or go on a solo day trip to hike a trail, visit a zoo, or check out a monument. [10] X Research source
    • Visit an orchard to pick fruit when the weather is nice.
    • Spend the day at a nearby amusement park.
    • Pack a picnic and eat it in a grassy field, next to a river or lake, or in a nice park.
    • You can also enjoy your picnic in your bare feet, feeling the warm/cool grass underneath your feet as you eat.
  4. {“smallUrl”:”https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a8\/Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-11.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”\/images\/thumb\/a\/a8\/Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-11.jpg\/aid6082525-v4-728px-Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-11.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=\”mw-parser-output\”><p>License: <a target=\”_blank\” rel=\”nofollow noreferrer noopener\” class=\”external text\” href=\”https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\”>Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>”} 4 Master a skill. Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn how to play the piano or make creme brûlée. Use the weekend to begin mastering your desired skill, taking the time to learn and practice. [11] X Research source
  5. {“smallUrl”:”https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/35\/Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-12.jpg\/v4-460px-Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-12.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”\/images\/thumb\/3\/35\/Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-12.jpg\/aid6082525-v4-728px-Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-12.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=\”mw-parser-output\”><p>License: <a target=\”_blank\” rel=\”nofollow noreferrer noopener\” class=\”external text\” href=\”https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\”>Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>”} 5 Explore your city. There are usually lots of activities to do depending on where you live, and many of them are free. Visit a park, go to a museum, or try out a new local restaurant. [12] X Research source
    • Attend a concert nearby with friends or family members.
    • Check out shops to support local businesses.
  6. {“smallUrl”:”https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1c\/Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-13.jpg\/v4-460px-Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-13.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”\/images\/thumb\/1\/1c\/Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-13.jpg\/aid6082525-v4-728px-Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-13.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=\”mw-parser-output\”><p>License: <a target=\”_blank\” rel=\”nofollow noreferrer noopener\” class=\”external text\” href=\”https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\”>Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>”} 6 Socialize with friends and family. Weekends are great for spending time with people you don’t get to see often during the week. Turn Saturday into game night for your family, or go out to dinner with friends. [13] X Research source
    • Take your family out to dinner, have movie night at home, or camp out in the backyard for fun.
    • Go see a concert with friends or ask them over to your house for drinks and to chat.
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Method
3 Method 3 of 3:

Being Productive

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  1. {“smallUrl”:”https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/41\/Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-14.jpg\/v4-460px-Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-14.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”\/images\/thumb\/4\/41\/Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-14.jpg\/aid6082525-v4-728px-Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-14.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=\”mw-parser-output\”><p>License: <a target=\”_blank\” rel=\”nofollow noreferrer noopener\” class=\”external text\” href=\”https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\”>Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>”} 1 Create goals for your day to make the most out of it. While it can be tempting to want to spend the day watching TV or sleeping until noon, try to wake up in the morning with goals for your day. [14] X Research source
    • You could make a plan to visit the gym early Saturday morning so that you have the rest of the day to partake in fun activities.
    • Aim to get work, chores, or errands done right when you wake up for a productive day.
  2. {“smallUrl”:”https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/74\/Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-15.jpg\/v4-460px-Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-15.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”\/images\/thumb\/7\/74\/Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-15.jpg\/aid6082525-v4-728px-Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-15.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=\”mw-parser-output\”><p>License: <a target=\”_blank\” rel=\”nofollow noreferrer noopener\” class=\”external text\” href=\”https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\”>Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>”} 2 Set a time limit on work. Your weekend should be about taking a break from work, so if you must work, set a time limit. Try to get any necessary work done early and in a timely manner so that you won’t have to think about it for the rest of the weekend. [15] X Research source
    • Tell yourself that you’re only going to work for 1-2 hours.
    • Set a goal for yourself to accomplish 1 work task and then stop.
  3. {“smallUrl”:”https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cc\/Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-16.jpg\/v4-460px-Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-16.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”\/images\/thumb\/c\/cc\/Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-16.jpg\/aid6082525-v4-728px-Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-16.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=\”mw-parser-output\”><p>License: <a target=\”_blank\” rel=\”nofollow noreferrer noopener\” class=\”external text\” href=\”https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\”>Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>”} 3 Make a reasonable to-do list. Avoid making a long list of tons of things you need to get done over the weekend. Pick a few important, manageable tasks to complete and get them done so that you have time to relax as well. [16] X Research source
    • A simple to-do list could consist of washing the dishes, picking up the dry-cleaning, and planning meals for the week.
  4. {“smallUrl”:”https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6c\/Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-17.jpg\/v4-460px-Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-17.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”\/images\/thumb\/6\/6c\/Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-17.jpg\/aid6082525-v4-728px-Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-17.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=\”mw-parser-output\”><p>License: <a target=\”_blank\” rel=\”nofollow noreferrer noopener\” class=\”external text\” href=\”https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\”>Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>”} 4 Declutter your home. While it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to organize and clean your entire house over the weekend, it can be helpful to pick a room or 2 to get started on. [17] X Research source
    • For example, decide that on Saturday you’re going to wake up early and declutter the kitchen, making sure the job is finished that day.
  5. {“smallUrl”:”https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/74\/Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-18.jpg\/v4-460px-Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-18.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”\/images\/thumb\/7\/74\/Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-18.jpg\/aid6082525-v4-728px-Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-18.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=\”mw-parser-output\”><p>License: <a target=\”_blank\” rel=\”nofollow noreferrer noopener\” class=\”external text\” href=\”https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\”>Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>”} 5 Spend time volunteering. Using your weekend to give back to your local community is a rewarding way to spend your time. Take a few hours to volunteer at a food bank, SPCA, or other organization. [18] X Research source
  6. {“smallUrl”:”https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b8\/Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-19.jpg\/v4-460px-Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-19.jpg”,”bigUrl”:”\/images\/thumb\/b\/b8\/Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-19.jpg\/aid6082525-v4-728px-Have-a-Good-Weekend-Step-19.jpg”,”smallWidth”:460,”smallHeight”:345,”bigWidth”:728,”bigHeight”:546,”licensing”:”<div class=\”mw-parser-output\”><p>License: <a target=\”_blank\” rel=\”nofollow noreferrer noopener\” class=\”external text\” href=\”https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\”>Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>”} 6 Work on a project. Maybe you’ve been wanting to repaint the fence, build new cabinets, or create a painting for the living room. Pick a project that you’re interested in and dedicate part of your weekend to completing it. [19] X Research source
    • Get the family involved and ask everyone to help you build a treehouse or playset in the backyard.
    • Repaint a room a new color or go through your closet to find old clothes to donate.
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