In this age of instant gratification and all that goes with it, people often neglect their families in favor of work and other things. But when all is said and done, the most important thing is to spend time with loved ones, especially when they need your attention the most. This simple advice for fathers (or mothers!) on ways to relax after a long week’s hard work will help you make sure you don’t forget what matters.
Image by Dimitris Vetsikas
1. Leave the cell phone alone
Your family and friends won’t mind if you don’t answer your phone or reply to their text messages right away. In fact, they might even appreciate the lack of distractions more than a quick reaction. Let them know of your intention so that they can get in touch with you when it’s important. Don’t forget that better things are waiting for you at home.
2. Get rid of old baggage
While relaxation is all about having fun, sometimes there are unresolved issues that affect how people think and behave, especially when spending time with loved ones. If this is your case, now is the time to let go of those feelings that have been bothering you for too long already. Otherwise, you might end up arguing with your family members when what you wanted was to have fun.
3. Don’t drink too much
If there’s one thing that inhibits relaxation and makes it difficult for people to enjoy themselves, it’s alcohol. Though we can’t deny its benefits, drinking too much before spending time with loved ones is a bad idea that will only set the mood back. It also increases your chances of having an accident after you get home-or even during the ride.
4. Go fishing
Pack up your trusty Shimano spinning reel and a bit of bait and go fishing. Whether you’re a beginner angler or a pro, this is the perfect way to relax and connect with nature. You can’t beat the fresh air that comes from going outside-not to mention the beautiful scenery, which only gets better as your boat moves along. Plus, there’s no need for sunscreen.
5. Cook something new
Whether you enjoy cooking as a hobby or as part of your profession, one thing’s for sure: those who love their family will always put in their best efforts when it comes to preparing meals for them to enjoy after a long week at work. It will mean even more if you come up with something new on the menu, so don’t be afraid to experiment with the things you have in your pantry.
6. Find a new hobby or activity to enjoy together
A family that plays together stays together. Your kids might enjoy playing games while your partner would rather read a book, but spending quality time is nothing more than sharing something you all appreciate. If this sounds like an impossible mission to achieve, try picking up a new activity or hobby which everyone can learn and be good at. It will make for great memories.
7. Exercise regularly
There’s no better way to relax after a long week’s hard work than by getting some exercise routinely done. Whether running, weightlifting, or playing sports are part of your plan for unwinding, keeping fit through physical activity will help you sleep easy and wake up refreshed for whatever comes next.
8. Relax and enjoy the silence
This means saying goodbye to TV, radio, and computer games-even your mobile phone. If you can’t bear the idea of disconnecting from such things for an hour or two (or maybe more), then you might be living with too much stress during the week. Unplugging will allow everyone in the family to enjoy some uninterrupted sleep at night, keeping them fresh enough to keep up with their many interests and activities on the weekend.
9. Give back to society
And we don’t mean this as a cliché either: volunteer work is a great way to relax after a long week’s hard work because it allows you to give something back to those who are less fortunate. Dress in your comfiest clothes and get involved with a local charity. You’ll feel better about yourself afterward.
10. Try something new together
Though we may not realize it, many of us miss out on great experiences because we either lack the confidence to try something new or fail to take the time out for stuff like this. Make a deal with everyone in your family: pick an activity and do it as a group-be it dancing (for those who can), fishing, or cooking. Anything will do as long as you’re all willing to give it a go.
Finding the time and motivation to relax after a long week’s hard work isn’t as difficult as we might think. With these simple ideas, you should be able to unwind even if it feels like the whole world is against you.
