Why we get tired even on weekends — and how to fix it

WHY WEEKENDS DON'T BRING REST: UNDERSTANDING THE PARADOX OF THE LONG-AWAITED WEEKEND

All week you dream about the weekend, imagining perfect relaxation. But when Saturday arrives, reality turns out quite different: either the day passes in complete inactivity, or it transforms into a marathon of tasks. Why don't the long-awaited weekends bring the desired recovery?

First, the abrupt change in rhythm plays a key role. On weekdays, the body functions on a strict schedule: early rising, intensive work, eating on the go. When weekends bring a sudden switch to "full stop" mode, the body experiences stress from this contrast. The lack of a stable rhythm itself becomes a source of fatigue.

The second reason lies in a misunderstanding of the nature of rest. Many mistakenly equate rest with passivity: a whole day in bed, endless scrolling through social media, hours-long TV marathons. However, during such "rest," the brain continues to actively process information, while the body suffers from lack of movement. The result is predictable – a feeling of being worn out, apathy, and a paradoxical increase in fatigue.

The third factor is overloading with tasks. Weekends often turn into "catch-up" time: deep cleaning, major shopping, obligatory visits to relatives, and other tasks that accumulated during the week. In such a regime, recovery is out of the question, and the new work week begins with even greater fatigue.

How to break this vicious cycle? Start with conscious weekend planning. Avoid extremes: neither excessive activity nor complete inactivity will bring true rest. Include moderate physical activity in your day – even a simple walk can significantly improve your well-being.

Set aside time without digital devices – immerse yourself in reading, enjoy music, or just be in silence. Master anxiety-reducing practices: breathing exercises, slow movements, relaxation techniques. Give up trying to "get everything done" – it's better to complete one important task well than to spread yourself thin on many small tasks.

And most importantly – learn to value your recovery. Proper rest is not a sign of weakness or a waste of time. It's a necessary resource without which effective forward movement is impossible.