Behavioral researchers and time management coaches have found a “science-backed schedule for your perfect weekend,” according to a recent article from The Wall Street Journal, which also appeared on MSN.com.* According to the research cited in the article, the equation for a perfect weekend is:
Sleep (7 to 9 hours x 2 + ≤ 20 to 60 minutes napping) + Hobbies (~ 2 hours) + Socializing (0 to 2 events) + Exercise (≥ 45 minutes) + Work (≤ 2 hours) + Unplanned time (~ 3 to 4 hours) = A Great Weekend
Whether or not you agree with this exact equation ("perfect" is subjective, after all), it's hard to argue against these six components (sleep, hobbies, socializing, exercise, work/chores, and unplanned time) contributing to a satisfying and worthwhile weekend.
Sleep
It can be tempting to stay up late when the weekend arrives. Knowing you don't have to get up for work can give you less worry about what time you get to bed. However, if you stay up too late, you may be faced with either sleeping in or not getting enough sleep. There's nothing wrong with sleeping in on the weekend, but you should consider the time cost of doing so before you decide to stay up late the night before. Just plan your weekend schedule out ahead of time, even if somewhat loosely.
Hobbies
The weekend is a great time to indulge in your hobbies. Workdays likely don't provide as much time to dedicate to these as you'd like, especially if you have a family. Family time is important, and if you work eight or more hours a day and have a good amount of family time, your hobby time becomes limited.
It is, however, important that you give yourself time for your hobbies because they can help you feel more fulfilled in life. If you are ambitious about them, they may even lead to a money-making side hustle. Dedicating some weekend time to these hobbies can help you get where you want to be with them without interfering with weekday responsibilities.
Socializing
Socializing is good for mental health and maintaining relationships with friends and family. The weekend is usually the best time for people to connect in a social setting. With summer approaching, it is also a great time for cookouts, picnics, outdoor dining, and travel. Try to fit in some social activity over the weekend so the daily grind of the workweek doesn't keep you from enjoying the company of others.
Exercise
You should be getting exercise every day, but the weekend may give you a chance to get in more or incorporate some different activities into the mix. An afternoon hike, for example, may be hard to fit in on a busy Wednesday, but it can be a great addition to your Saturday. The weekend generally offers more flexibility to exercise when and how you want.
Work/Chores
If you spend Monday through Friday working at your job, the idea of working during the weekend might not sound especially appealing. However, if you have a second job or side hustle, it might be better to do this work on the weekend, when you have more time away from your primary occupation.
The weekend also gives you more time to get chores and housework done. If you set aside dedicated time for this, you won't have to worry about cramming as much into your workday, which can leave you feeling overly stressed and exhausted.
Unplanned Time
Keep some unplanned time in your weekend schedule to simply do what you feel like doing. It's nice to have a plan, and there are many benefits of having one, but not giving yourself any downtime can also make you feel stressed or exhausted, so having some unplanned time can give you a chance to unwind or take care of unforeseen circumstances.
Conclusion
The basis for the subject of this article assumes a two-day weekend in the reader's work schedule, and this, of course, isn't everybody's experience. However, if you are able to incorporate sleep, hobbies, socializing, exercise, work/chores, and unplanned time into your days off, you are likely to have made good use of your time, which may help improve the work week ahead.