I ran a race this weekend. It wasn't a marathon or even a 5k. It was a race against time. By the time I was ready to relax on Sunday evening, I couldn’t because I was reminded by the 3 clocks hanging on my kitchen wall that it was time to start the work week all over again. At this point I asked myself, "Where did the last 48 hours go?" For a goal-oriented person like myself, I was left with a slight unaccomplished feeling coupled with tiredness and tension.
As the clocks ticked, I thought about ways to manage my time in a way that would allow me to end the weekend feeling refreshed and ready for the new week. For those who exercise and watch their nutrition during the week, the weekends are a time to rebuild, restore and stimulate the mind. In order to succeed in anything, one needs to satisfy all aspects of life - including the mind, the body, and the soul. Here are some tips and tricks I use in my own life to re-energize and find balance:
(1) Wake up au naturel - No alarms here! They just add stress to the morning. I love waking up to my natural clock. Don't want to sleep the morning away? Set your regular alarm for much later than you would normally get up (and don't forget to reset it Sunday night!)
(2) Simple pleasures - Know the little things that make you happy and make time for them. Personally, I love the way a steamy cup of java looks and smells when sitting on my nightstand. 30 minutes with my coffee and my favorite magazine and I'm ready for the day. Ahhh the special moments... (funny the little things that make us happy)
(3) Be mindful - Take time to breathe in deeply, stretch and enjoy the world around you. Meditate on the accomplishments of the week and the goals ahead.
(4) Step outside (your comfort zone) - Do something, anything new and you stimulate your senses! Even if it's just a baby step. Run a new route, read at a different cafe, or try a new healthy recipe. That reminds me, I think I'll make protein pancakes and egg white omelets with spinach and fat free cheddar this weekend - YUM!
As the clocks ticked, I thought about ways to manage my time in a way that would allow me to end the weekend feeling refreshed and ready for the new week. For those who exercise and watch their nutrition during the week, the weekends are a time to rebuild, restore and stimulate the mind. In order to succeed in anything, one needs to satisfy all aspects of life - including the mind, the body, and the soul. Here are some tips and tricks I use in my own life to re-energize and find balance:
(1) Wake up au naturel - No alarms here! They just add stress to the morning. I love waking up to my natural clock. Don't want to sleep the morning away? Set your regular alarm for much later than you would normally get up (and don't forget to reset it Sunday night!)
(2) Simple pleasures - Know the little things that make you happy and make time for them. Personally, I love the way a steamy cup of java looks and smells when sitting on my nightstand. 30 minutes with my coffee and my favorite magazine and I'm ready for the day. Ahhh the special moments... (funny the little things that make us happy)
(3) Be mindful - Take time to breathe in deeply, stretch and enjoy the world around you. Meditate on the accomplishments of the week and the goals ahead.
(4) Step outside (your comfort zone) - Do something, anything new and you stimulate your senses! Even if it's just a baby step. Run a new route, read at a different cafe, or try a new healthy recipe. That reminds me, I think I'll make protein pancakes and egg white omelets with spinach and fat free cheddar this weekend - YUM!
(5) Get in the mood and do it - Use music to get you in the mood you want! Studying? Organize your brain with some Mozart. Running? How about a little Boom, Boom, Pow? How about a little meditation with some of your favorite string quartet covers? Music will get you where you're going :)
(6) Productive Therapy - As the sun is setting and a nice breeze comes through the window, I am ready to embark on my cooking therapy. Yes, I think cooking is therapy :) Find out what your productive therapy is. Is it cleaning? Sewing? Some house repairs? Devote a set amount of time to it and dive in! It's a great way to lose yourself and live in the moment.
(7) Power nap for Power people - Know when its time for a power nap for power people. There is nothing more refreshing than 30 minutes of sleepy time on a hot summer day. They remind me of my childhood and the peaceful times I enjoyed growing up. Buzz!!! Ready to go...
(8) Eat, Eat, Eat! - Don't use the weekend as an excuse to skip meals! Your body needs to know it's fed so those extra pounds don't hang around waiting to fuel you. I know when I'm ready for a delicious, healthy lunch, I'll walk down to The Ice Box Cafe off Lincoln Road. They serve very healthy organic meals at a very reasonable cost. For example, their wild salmon with quinoa is very yummy and the Thai Pulled Chicken Salad is also incredible.
(9) Love your loved ones - Make time for R&R with your loved ones. Don't get in to serious issues about friends or family. Enjoy a good comedy or play a board game. There is nothing better for the heart than a good laugh.
(10) Count your blessings - As I get ready to lay my head on my pillow and call it a day, I like to remember that I have so much to be grateful for. Life is a Gift and it's Worth Living to the Fullest!
(6) Productive Therapy - As the sun is setting and a nice breeze comes through the window, I am ready to embark on my cooking therapy. Yes, I think cooking is therapy :) Find out what your productive therapy is. Is it cleaning? Sewing? Some house repairs? Devote a set amount of time to it and dive in! It's a great way to lose yourself and live in the moment.
(7) Power nap for Power people - Know when its time for a power nap for power people. There is nothing more refreshing than 30 minutes of sleepy time on a hot summer day. They remind me of my childhood and the peaceful times I enjoyed growing up. Buzz!!! Ready to go...
(8) Eat, Eat, Eat! - Don't use the weekend as an excuse to skip meals! Your body needs to know it's fed so those extra pounds don't hang around waiting to fuel you. I know when I'm ready for a delicious, healthy lunch, I'll walk down to The Ice Box Cafe off Lincoln Road. They serve very healthy organic meals at a very reasonable cost. For example, their wild salmon with quinoa is very yummy and the Thai Pulled Chicken Salad is also incredible.
(9) Love your loved ones - Make time for R&R with your loved ones. Don't get in to serious issues about friends or family. Enjoy a good comedy or play a board game. There is nothing better for the heart than a good laugh.
(10) Count your blessings - As I get ready to lay my head on my pillow and call it a day, I like to remember that I have so much to be grateful for. Life is a Gift and it's Worth Living to the Fullest!
After analyzing this past weekend, I realize that the quality of our actions in life is what will leave us inspired to begin anew. Whether we succeed or fail, it's in the journey where we'll find strength from within; the strength to motivate ourselves and those around us.
Lu Lu & Dan
Lu Lu & Dan
