01 Jun 6 Ways to Make the Most of Your Summer Weekend
We all like to think of summer as a blur of beach balls and barbecues but once the weekend comes roaring around it can also be filled with pressure to make the most of it. Here, six experts offer advice on how to maximize your summer weekends:
1. Reconnect with Your Partner
Sexologist Logan Levkoff suggests that you, “Be affectionate. Kiss. Really kiss. Optimize the time you have together. A little goes a long way. We often kiss cheeks and talk “at” and not “to” each other. Avoiding that will help you to reconnect.”
2. Make it Family Time
Parenting expert Michele Borba recommends, “Get the kids involved — everyone has different interests – from Toddler to Teen – and then there’s dad and mom – if everyone takes turns deciding the one little activity or choice for the weekend (from movie, to meal, to tv show, to walk location) it makes everyone more of a happy camper.”
3. Pack Smart
If you are heading out of town for the weekend, style maven Kate Bettsadvises that you, “pack the four musts. A swimsuit you love (and feel great wearing), perfect jeans, brightly colored t-shirts, and ballet flats.” And if you are staying with a friend, “Always bring along a small hostess gift. You never know when you are going to need it and a great scented candle, a cool pack of playing cards or a great book are perfect gifts for a dinner party hostess or a weekend hostess.”
4. Take a Time Out
Power blogger Audrey McClelland recommends a technology timeout, “Since I work as a digital mom, I’m usually connected to technology throughout the week. When Saturday morning rolls around, it’s all about my four sons. They don’t want to see me connected nonstop, so I make sure it’s not even a temptation. I leave everything in my office at home. When they’re in bed — that’s the time to check emails and catch-up.”
5. Get Up and Get Moving
Celebrity trainer Gunnar Peterson emphasizes the mornings, “No matter where you go, or how late you sleep in, once you wake up have a glass of ½ water, and ½ Gatorade, get a workout in. Any workout. Take the time for yourself and you’ll be setting yourself up to make better choices for the rest of the day.”
6. Think About Future Food
Nutrition guru Keri Glassman says that with food it is all about planning, “When you schedule your workout and/or an active outing and plan your food, including looking ahead at restaurant menus, prepping with snacks on-the-go and also planning a conscious indulgence, your weekend fun will be that much more fab!”
Samantha Ettus is a bestselling author, media personality and speaker, passionate about helping working moms to design a successful and happy lifestyle. Connect with her at samantha@samanthaettus.com or @samanthaettus.
To read this article on Forbes, please click here.
Samantha Ettus is a bestselling author & corporate speaker. The Pie Life: A Guilt-Free Recipe for Success and Satisfaction will be released in September.