We spend our weeks working a typical 9-5 job, sometimes working past the 5 o’clock hour to keep up with the demands of our work. We come home, and if there’s energy enough, we exercise or socialize. On the weekends, we are simply exhausted that we limit ourselves to a few social activities, church and maybe a meal downtown. With the exception of these activities, we spend our weekends as homebodies, believing that our lives on the weekends were not meant for adventure, at least not during this three-day span.
The perception has always been that vacations and time off required more than 55 hours. For a substantial vacation, one had to take time off, factor in two whole days of travel and spend an entire week or two vacationing. While this is still the case for long trips to Paris, Turkey or New Zealand, we see power in taking advantage of the 55 hours we are given from Friday to Sunday.
We believe–among others–that traveling is therapeutic even just in the window from Friday to Sunday. Seeing new things, finding new places, discovering new hobbies and meeting new faces is one of the most spirit-lifting, heart-lightening activities we do. According to Passport USA, travel has been linked to a lower risk of heart disease, a lower risk of depression and higher productivity when one returns to the workplace.
Some don’t return to the workplace. In fact, many have taken on the challenge of becoming a digital nomad. We can’t have that reality (at least not now) and recognize that sometimes this concept isn’t feasible to some people’s lifestyles. Many have family or children, churches or organizations, opportunities and other commitments that they can’t leave behind, even as appealing as the nomad life sounds in the Internet age.
See the value in spending your weekends exploring to keep you refreshed and productive during the week.
Rachel Enerson 