TGIF
January 15, 2010
No matter what your job is, how interesting it is, how much money you make at it, or if you’re single or married, male or female, your happiness quotient rises on the weekend, says new research published in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology. This “weekend effect” is linked to the weekends giving you the opportunity to spend your time as you wish, along with it being time to chill out with your BFFs and family — demonstrating just how critical free time is to one’s overall wellbeing.
(Great, now I’m going to have Loverboy’s “Everybody’s Working for the Weekend” stuck in my head all day).
In other research out of the University of Toronto, as many as 50 percent of people bring home work “sometimes” or “frequently.” The study found that the higher status your job, the more it interferes with your personal life.
So this (and I’m basing this on the findings mentioned earlier) is going to majorly ratchet down the happiness levels for many of us. Something to think about if you’re gunning for that corner office. Do you have tips on how to make sure work doesn’t infringe on your personal life? Do share.
P.S. The amazing calendar above btw is called Perpetual Paris — Photo Collage + Perennial Calendar and it’s from a company called Little Brown Pen. Love it! Get it here.
Filed under: Healthy Swellness,Swellbeing
4 Comments Leave a Comment
1.
Miriam | January 15, 2010 at 2:24 PM
I try to get to the gym during my lunch hour as often as possible. Just knowing I got a workout out in, something just for me during my work day, makes me feel more in control of my day. So even if I have to work a little later sometimes, or take work home, knowing I got some “me time” in during my day ensures that I never feel like work is getting in the way of my personal life.
2.
Miss Jane | January 15, 2010 at 6:32 PM
I have mastered this! I work very hard at work all day. I don’t do a lot of socializing or other time wasting things. I am super organized each day. As I am a teacher, I make sure my class is always set up for the next day, getting my mind organized and ready for my next lesson.
Once I shut my door I leave all behind me, everything that went on for the day is finished and I rarely discuss my teaching once I leave work. I have learned to accept that things sometimes take several days to complete and always choose tasks to fit into my time that are easy managed.
I make sure to leave promptly each day as I have after work personal commitments almost each day. (guitar lesson, personal trainer, massage etc.) I also have a wonderful family who I spend a great deal of time with enjoying what life we have made for ourselves.
I call it my “me” time. If I don’t fit it into my day, I am miserable!
It is part of leading a balanced life. I believe that we need to live life. Our career simply gives us the money to live our lives. Personal and professional lives for me are kept completely separate.
I recommend for everyone to find some “me” time, you never know where it will take you.
3.
Yuki | January 16, 2010 at 11:46 AM
I find my weekend sort of busy-busy, not due to a rocking social life but due to having an active kid who’s home for 2 days, bouncing off the walls!
As much as I enjoy Family Time and prioritize spending it with my family (even if I do squeeze in the odd brunch date with my girs), I actually consider Fridays to be “Me time.” It’s a nice way to segue into the weekend (if you are able to set your own hours, obvs). I volunteer at the food bank Friday mornings (I took a manual labour gig, NOT one dealing with people, and find the running to and fro in the pantry filling orders very relaxing, as well as calorie-burning!), then head out to the gym for a workout and a long schvitz in the steam room. Depending on my mood and timeline, I may or may not fit in lunch at a resto by myself, or just walk home b4 picking up my kid at school.
Me time is so essential to my mental health. It may sound crazy but if I’m really crunched for time, I’ll even pull an all-nighter on a Sunday night after my kid is in bed, to meet a Monday deadline. I won’t give up “my” Fridays for anything!
4.
healthandswellness | January 16, 2010 at 2:06 PM
I”m so happy to hear that “me” time is such a priority for you.
G. often works from home, which means work starts first thing in the morning and goes way into the night, with him never leaving the house for days at a time.
He recently had to pick up something from the office, though, and I suggested he take the streetcar there. His automatic reaction? Disgust, but I told him to just use it as time to zone out, to listen to music or This American Life, to people watch….and it worked!
He said it was like “vacation”.
I bet that’s the first time taking the TTC has ever been called vacation!!
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