A change of pace

When we’re spending so much time at home, days can blend into one. Make it a rule that your weekends must be different, even if that means changing small things like the cereal you’re eating or the kind of music you’re listening to. Been immersed in one particular series or book during weekdays? Put it to the side – it’ll still be there come Monday – and dive into something brand new. If you’re working from home with your laptop just inches away, avoid the temptation to keep checking that project you nearly finished on Friday. You wouldn’t go all the way back into the office on a Saturday, and now’s not the time to start!

Start your day write

Write yourself into a weekend state of mind by creating your ‘Morning Pages’, a technique made popular in Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way. She recommends taking a notepad immediately upon waking up, and scribbling down whatever comes to you. Don’t worry about being coherent (after all, you’re the only one who’s going to see this) as long as you keep going until you’ve filled three sheets of paper. Do this every Saturday and Sunday morning and think of it as a way of resetting your mind after the events of the week and giving you focus – maybe you could even include some of your goals for the weekend in your Pages.

Creating fun

With recent studies showing that art can help distract from negative thought patterns, getting creative can be the ultimate mood-booster. You don’t have to be Picasso – it’s the act of creating, rather than the product, that brings you satisfaction, whether you’re picking up a paintbrush or sketching. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box by turning trash into treasure. Colourful sweet wrappers could be the basis for a whole collage, and if you have access to a garden, forage for natural craft materials like dried leaves and foliage.​

Get on board

This weekend we recommend passing GO and picking up £200… That’s right, we’re bringing back the art of the board game – now’s the time to rediscover your inner Cluedo sleuth or Monopoly maven. Games are the perfect way to bring everyone in the house together to work as a team and put worries aside for a few hours, not to mention they’re a pretty great brain workout too. When we’re surrounded by the same things every day, it’s important to keep mentally stimulated, and board games help test our skills of decision-making and problem solving.

Nature Watch

So, you’ve exhausted all the reality TV you could possibly think of and watching Friends for the 65th time doesn’t seem so appealing anymore – what’s next? Now we’re all staying in the house, television is playing a huge part in many of our weekend plans, but don’t think of it as a guilty pleasure. In this situation, it’s your ultimate passport around the world. Did you know watching nature documentaries has a positive effect on our happiness and can reduce feelings of anxiety? Indulge in shows like Blue Planet or Planet Earth II for some educational binge viewing that you can say was genuinely good for you!

Practicing peace

Try to bookmark the weekend with moments of peace. If you started the days with your Morning Pages to ground yourself, take the time in the evenings to soothe your mind and relax with some meditation (much-deserved after your day of crafts, games and David Attenborough). There are plenty of guided meditations available on YouTube but if you want to go solo, just track down a Spotify playlist and you’re in business! Our top tip: don’t do it too close to bedtime. Meditating is about keeping our minds fully awake, and we don’t want to confuse it with getting ready for 40 winks…