Working too hard? Take some time out

This weekend should be all about you. We are allowed to be selfish about our health and well being from time to time. The term ‘work hard and play hard’ is not just about jumping from one party to the other after stressing yourself out from Monday to Friday.

Rather, you should use the precious Saturday and Sunday to relax your mind before rushing into another busy week. This is the weekend for you to pamper yourself, and by that we don’t mean necessarily through a shopping spree.

You don’t need to empty your bank account either. Healthy living experts say there are stress-relieving activities that can help us to stay healthy, if we can do them regularly.

Even the World Health Organisation, a global authority on matters that concern health, states that good health is not just the absence of disease or infirmity but a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being.

According to wellness and rejuvenation expert with Healthy Living Academy, Wuse II, Abuja, Dr. Sandra Adejumo, not getting enough rest on weekends has consequences, not just on the body, but also on one’s mental health.

Adejumo says, “Research has showed that if an individual spends 30 out of the available 52 weekends to rest, sleep and stay with their families, they can add an extra four years to their life expectancy. The reverse also applies.

“The body is like a machine, you cannot use it round the clock all week and expect it not to break down or fall apart. The time you take out to rest helps your body to recuperate from all the hard work it has done from Monday to Friday.”

The wellness expert says relaxing during the weekends lowers a person’s risk for high blood pressure, by reducing the stress levels.

She states, “Taking a break to rest lowers your blood pressure. Between work, sitting in traffic and personal commitments, stress can really impact your wellbeing – and your blood pressure. Having high blood pressure (hypertension) puts you at risk for heart disease, stroke, dementia and many more.”

Also, a haematologist, Dr. Robert Allen, on healthwatch.com, adds that taking at least 14 hours to sleep on weekends boosts immunity levels and also addresses sleep deprivation.

He adds that denying the body time to relax after a busy week could also affect one mentally and socially, as lack of rest could reduce concentration and memory over time.

Allen says, “When you are stressed out and sleep-deprived, your mind can have trouble concentrating on the task at hand. So, remember, taking a break on weekends can actually improve your performance at work.

“When you take time to wind down from a busy day and week, you set yourself up to have a better night’s rest. As we have reported, sleep deprivation can be dangerous; so, take time for rest – your body and mind will thank you.”

He notes that relaxing during weekends is not just strolling around in night gowns or pyjamas and watching TV while eating, but that spending quality time with family and friends either indoors or outdoors also helps.

Are you at a loss about what to do to make your weekend unforgettable? Consider these fabulous options:

Make love

The primary reason behind sex for most people is the pleasure they get from it but latent reasons like better health and better mood can’t go unmentioned. Having sex at least twice a week has significant health benefits for couples. So, let go of the stressful week, boost your immunity, burn calories and feel better by spending some time between the sheets with your partner this weekend!

Pamper your skin

Consultant dermatologist, Dr. Yemi Onigbanjo, who describes the skin as the window to the human body and soul, says it is unwise to neglect the care of your skin.

According to her, not taking care of your skin could expose you to many health challenges, including cancer, kidney disease and liver problems.

She says, “Your skin says a lot about your health and wellbeing. In fact, the skin is the organ where major symptoms of diseases manifest the most. The skin is what gives us our form and also protects us from harsh conditions of the environment. However, many pay little or no attention to it.”

Onigbanjo says the best way to take care of the skin is not by buying expensive creams and lotions, but living a healthy lifestyle and eating diets devoid of junk.

According to the dermatologist, many of the nutrients that the skin needs to glow can be derived in most natural foods. She adds that when this is combined with good hygiene and a healthy lifestyle, one need not spend a fortune trying to look good.

One of them is water. Onigbanjo states that water is the fluid that keeps the skin in shape.

Take a break from tech

Refrain from using any kind of gadget on your weekend. Though gadgets help to connect with others, they also keep you wired-in all the time – ensuring that there is never a quiet moment in your day. If you want to have a relaxing weekend, then you need to cut off from phones, computers, social media, etc.

Avoid excessive drinks

If you are planning to hang out with your friends, make sure you avoid alcohol as much as possible. Though a little alcohol will help you to relax, don’t let it rule your weekend by getting a hangover the next day.

Spending your weekend with friends can be fun, but remember that it can also be tiring. In order to avoid exhaustion, set time to do some relaxing activities just by yourself.

Enjoy your weekend!

PUNCH.