Have you been getting the withdrawl symptoms lately? Have you been feeling tired even on off-days? If so, then you need to check if your daily routine is work, work and more work leaving little or no time for leisure? If so, bingo! We have your problem pinpointed… it means you’ve been working too hard and need a break. But I’m sure even as most of you read this simple solution you read it disbelievingly as if I have lost my mind! Nothing like that, it’s just one of those realities staring us straight in the face something we have to accept and rectify before it’s too late.
I know in today’s world where every other person is trying to overtake their friends or neighbours or even family members, to take out me time is next to impossible. All my friends and readers who work even on weekends will think this suggestion is useless as the fastest rising economy in the world doesn’t have time to sit back and relax. Unrealistic targets set by us for a better life, coupled with never-ending quest for perfection and the desire to attain more and more is pushing us into working crazy hours with no time for relaxation. Where previously weekend meant a complete two days for us Pakistanis, Friday and Saturday, it has now reduced to just a Sunday being off for most of us. Those working for MNCs or other international bodies have the luxury of taking off both Saturday and Sunday but once again the competition prevalent in all fields of lives sees most of us working even on off-days.
Agrees Hania Tariq, senior producer for a media company, “The duration of a weekend has declined from two complete days to just one or maybe half a day now, which usually starts as late as Saturday night and doesn’t even continue till Sunday evening because your phone keeps ringing due to some or the other office urgency.”
Shahana Saeed, production assistant with a channel, adds, “A holiday (people may define it
variably) is a break from the regularities; so in that conventional sense, there is nothing like a weekend or 'leave'. Though thanks to the MNCs those who work there get two days off.”
Further adding, she says, “Before the feeling can sink in, there is a fleeting sensation of the arriving Monday blues. The work, the environment and the week, which in most of the cases is an ordeal, is too prominent in the minds of people to let go for these two days.”
Occasional official urgencies are accepted and understood by all. However, the problem occurs when working beyond regular hours becomes an everyday affair. With time, stress starts taking a toll on your health, productivity falls, and your grey cells run the risk of being short-circuited! In such situations, you seriously can’t underestimate the importance of weekends. In the west especially, no wonder weekends are considered sacred.
One of my friends, a consultant with a private firm, who stayed and studied in Australia, says, “The way of living and working in Australia is very systemised and organised; therefore, people do spend quality time with family and friends. The weekend mood starts from Friday afternoon and even the shops shut earlier than usual on that day. People there are living happy and contended lives without the luxury of having housemaids, cooks, cleaners, drivers etc.”
Shahid Hassan, presently residing in Dubai, agrees, “Weekends here are meant to be Fridays and Saturdays and as soon as the weekend arrives, people switch off their mobiles, laptops and do not work unless absolutely necessary.”
Relates Saima, who works in a PR firm, “Despite today’s youth being quite clear about their working hours, they end up stretching everyday and even on weekends. Regardless of how much we love our work everybody need some ‘me time’ and that goes without saying.”
Talking of work efficiency, experts believe that a human body needs the right amount of sleep, proper meal intake and the right kind of mind rejuvenation. Dr. Azra Chughtai explains, “Just like machines, human beings have a certain capacity. If we try and push ourselves beyond this, we might be able to continue working but soon there will be problems such as stress, skin problems, reduced energy levels, lowered stamina, smoking, alcohol dependence... the list is endless. Hence, it is imperative that we give the right kind of rest and maintenance to our system and strike a balance between work and personal life.”
Ruby Jalal who is currently completing her MBA from London says, “It’s not that people abroad are achieving the impossible. They work hard from Monday through Friday, Monday and Tuesday being the days with maximum work, but work timings in most sectors are fixed and then one can relax and rejuvenate over the weekend.”
Saleha adds, “There is definitely no laidback attitude when it comes to work - no procrastination at work. Everybody takes pleasure and recreational activities as seriously as they take their work. It is understood that you have to take out time for both work and pleasure.”
Just like there is a time for everything in life, there is a time for leisure and recreation. Recreational activities provide that much-needed balance and positive energy to our lives without which we would burn out in no time.
We owe it to ourselves to find time for relaxation. Health problems and age-related diseases are rampant in our society, mainly because of poor lifestyle choices, which includes not taking time for relaxation. So it’s time you said no to excess work in favour of some quality “me time.”
Try these tips for relaxation:
• Do something you love for 30 minutes whether it's a craft, reading a book, or sitting in a porch swing and looking at the sky.
• Take a warm leisurely bath
• Go window shopping
• Take a walk for pleasure, not exercise
• Watch a good comedy movie
• Work on a good jigsaw puzzle
• Play with your dog
• Listen to soothing music
• Laugh
• Do not feel guilty about taking some "me time."
Remember, your body can't function properly if you're all stressed out. Relaxation doesn't have to be costly-Just take time and do it!
