Life

7 Ways To Make Every Day Feel Like The Weekend

relaxing, outdoors
Natalie Zotova / 500px/500px Prime/Getty Images

For those of us who work typical 9 to 5 jobs, it's quite normal to live for the weekend. Monday through Friday just become days to get through until Saturday rolls around again. And it makes sense, because let's face it — the weekend is where it's at.

In fact, one recent study posted on the Daily Mail revealed that people feel the most happy at 7:26 p.m. on Saturday. Oddly specific, I know. But it kind of makes sense. According to the report, it takes people a little while to wind down from the work week (apparently until 7:26 p.m. on Saturday), and then they feel right as rain.

But to only feel blissfully happy one evening a week doesn't really make for much of a life, now does it? I don't know about you, but I want to figure out how to make all those other days feel just as worth living.

So let's figure out what is so different. First of all, the weekend is carefree — no busy schedules, no bosses looking over your shoulder, no deadlines. It's two days of "me" time, and you can't argue with the wonderfulness of that. The weekend is also a time to sleep in, with no alarms or early wakeup calls. Then there's all the fun, such as days spent with friends, nights out with your SO, and trips to the movies. And finally, there's a certain comfort level that can only be achieved on the weekends. You know, the whole sweatpants/couch/pillows combo that doesn't happen as often during the week.

Quite the list! And also one that is totally achievable during the week. So let's try to emulate those lazy, happy, comfy weekend feels, and look forward to having a good time all week long.

1. Make Sure You Are Well-Rested

On Saturday you sleep in, wake up fresh as a daisy, and go about your day with the utmost energy. Same with Sunday, which is literally "the day of rest" for many people. But then comes Monday. That pesky alarm goes off, the sun isn't even up, and yet there you are dragging yourself out of bed. How can that day feel nicer, or even equal to, the wonderful, lazy days proceeding it?

Well, it can't — especially if you are truly sleep deprived. So one way to make a dreaded Monday (or Tuesday, or Wednesday) feel like a weekend is to make sure you are super well-rested. This might mean sticking to a specific sleep schedule, even on the weekend. According to Sleep.org, "Life will inevitably interfere, but try not to sleep in for more than an hour or two, tops, on Saturdays and Sundays so that you can stay on track. That way, your body’s internal clock — also called a circadian rhythm (body clock) — will get accustomed to a new bedtime, which will help you fall asleep better at night and wake up more easily each morning." Trust me, stay well-rested, and Monday won't feel half so bad.

2. Have More Fun On Your Commute

Whether you sit for hours on a busy highway, or cram your body sardine-style into a crowded subway, there really is nothing nice about traveling to and fro work. An awful daily commute is yet another thing making the weekdays different from the weekend, and it's something that most 9 to 5ers grow to dread.

So do what you can to enjoy the experience. Listen to music, catch up with a friend, dream about your next vacation — anything to spice up those few hours on the road. You can even make the commute a time to meditate, or learn something new, which would be a totally good use of your time. As Lori Deschene suggested on TinyBuddha.com, "Practice deep breathing, listen to soothing music, or download an audio book for the ride." Sounds pretty relaxing to me!

3. Dress Oh So Comfy

Do you dread Monday because it's once again time to cram yourself into those business casual slacks, or that office-appropriate blazer? These aren't exactly the most comfortable clothing items that ever existed, so I can totally appreciate the anxiety.

And yet, work clothes don't have to be so stiff and confining. If you focus on getting the right fit in some soft fabrics, then it is possible to be comfy all week long. You can also make leggings work for pretty much any occasion, depending on how you style them. All you have to do is dress right, and your work clothes can be almost as good as your weekend sweatpants. I promise.

4. Take Some Time To Yourself

I hope you love your job. But when you don't (and even kinda sometimes when you do), it can feel like the entire week is all about everyone else. When that's the case, the weekend can start to feel like this little oasis of personal time amidst a sea of annoying responsibilities and deadlines and meetings.

Change things up, and make time during the week to focus on yourself. Go for a walk on your lunch break, spend Wednesday evening binge watching Netflix, or take yourself out to dinner. Just be alone with your thoughts, and focus on the things you want to do.

5. Stay As Organized As Possible

One thing people don't like about weekdays (AKA, being at work) is that life can feel like pure chaos. Your desk is a mess, you're running from one meeting to the next, and then it all starts over again the following day. So why not make the week a bit less crazy by staying organized?

Straighten up your desk, orchestrate a smooth morning routine, and set up your workday to run as smoothly as possible. When you're organized during the week, the transition from Sunday To Monday won't feel so jarring. In fact, it can all start to blend together into one long, relaxing week.

6. Remember To Stay Relaxed

Again with the weekend/weekday contrast. Weekends are slow, relaxed, sleepy. Weekdays? Well, they're anything but. So take some time to meditate, do yoga, or stare out a window contemplating the great mysteries in the world. Really, do anything that will slow your mind down to a weekend pace.

And do this as often as you can. Because according to an article on BodyandSoul.com, true relaxation requires consistency. So, it's really not something you should reserve for the weekends anyway. Pause during your hectic day (no matter how busy you are) and try to recreate those relaxed weekend feels. Your peace of mind will thank you.

7. If All Else Fails... Do Something Fun

In the spirit of not living only for the weekend, I highly suggest scheduling fun into other days of the week. It can be something small, like treating yourself to a nice lunch during the day. Or, something a lot bigger, like planning a midweek night out with friends.

Because, let's be honest — life is short. It may be tempting to put your head down and plow forth 'til the weekend. But it's much better to savor every day. And if that means making every day feel like a weekend, then by all means, have at it.

Images: Natalie Zotova / 500px/500px Prime/Getty Images; Giphy (5)