It's Weekend

When asked, many people I know complain about the weekend going by so fast, being so busy with extracurricular or social activities, being exhausted from chores and responsibilities that are often relegated from earlier in the week (or the month) and how they wish that the weekend was 3 days instead of 2.

In fact, most people I know (me included at times) start the work week wishing it was Friday at 5:00 p.m. and even holiday weekends, go by so fast that we go back to work wondering where the time went. The truth is that many of us don't allow our bodies and minds to take a break. We run from place to place, until exhaustion; we overbook and over commit our time leaving very little to nourish ourselves often times ignoring that we have some needs or that mentally, we are running on 'empty.'

Although one of the most basic functions or expectations from our body, we do not treat ourselves well. I recommend clients that once a week they deliberately set time aside for recharging their batteries. Three basic concepts:

Reenergize. What can you do this weekend that will reenergize you and give you fuel to keep going? for some, might be just to cuddle up and sleep in a little; others would find connection with nature.

Renew. Think of ways you can use to renew your jasminlive spirit. Listen to your favorite inspirational music, read a motivational book, or practice meditation, yoga, etc.

Recharge. Establish routines that will give your body, mind and soul enough time to replenish. Think back to your favorite past time or start a hobby. Whatever you do, find ways to regain balance. When you are in balance, you can take on challenges much easier.

One very good idea is just to sign off. By that I mean to take a extended break; some people may refer to as sabbatical; hiatus; or just simply going on a retreat. The goal is to remove yourself from distractions and allow yourself to refocus and center back on what really matters. Many people believe that when they take these periods of time away from all, they recapture control of their thoughts and reach levels of clarity that otherwise, they wouldn't. I would suggest that depending on what's going on in your life, you start taking retreats at least once a year; those that are under great levels of stress may benefit from more frequent periods of solitude, yet the key aspect is to recognize that our bodies and minds can benefit from taking time out.

By the way, going on a retreat doesn't necessarily means spending a lot of money. Surely, that would be nice but the primary idea is to eliminate/considerably reduce the number of distractions and sources of stress. For instance, a friend of mine takes one day every month to regroup. She does not answer the phone, check her email or even opens the mail. She takes her son to school, goes back home and focuses on taking time to herself...taking a bath, catching up on a book, writing in her journal and when budget allows, going for a massage/manicure. Ultimately, she finds herself better able to go back to work the next morning feeling rejuvenated and full of optimism for what's to come. She tells me that it works like a charm!

At the end of the day, we all know what is best of us and is up to us to take ownership and responsibility for yourselves. I propose that we don't wait until something happens, or until we explode (or like a colleague of mine would say 'self-combust') after ignoring signs that our body needed a break. Friend, I encourage you to give yourself the gift of time to recover from the everyday stress by renewing, recharging and reenergizing. You will be more effective at work and those around you will appreciate it. And if you are stuck and are having difficulties finding the balance between home and work; if life is being thrown in a blender constantly working with a Life Coach may be of benefit to you. Call me today to schedule a complimentary session and get back on your game.

© 2010 Maria Martinez

Sometimes taking a week long vacation may not fit into our busy schedules. However, you can still get some much needed time away in just a week-end. With its central location within the U.S., the Smoky Mountains are within a days drive from any state. The mountains, the people, and the fun make this national park an amazing family, couples, or solo vacation for anyone who needs a couple of days away from their normal every day routines. The Great Smoky Mountain National Park receives over 9 million visitors per year, making it the most visited National Park in the nation.

The surrounding communities of the Great Smoky Mountains abound with shopping, theaters, arcades, games and more! Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and other nearby towns offer incredible shopping opportunities. The area is filled with out-let strip malls. The stores located in these out-let malls offer quality merchandise at deep discounted prices. A very popular out-let mall in the area is the Tanger Outlet Mall, however there are several others in the area as well. You will also find unusual miniature golf courses and arcades. The arcades offer rides, bungee jumping, indoor skydiving, and more. You may also take in a music show or visit one of the many Ripley's establishments. There is always plenty to do and see in these bordering towns.

Many accommodation choices are available and very price competitive. You may choose to book a hotel, condo, cabin, chalet or even a campsite. The choices are endless and really depend on your personal needs and wants.

Hotels and Motels line the main parkway through the towns of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. All offer very attractive rooms at competitive prices. Some have swimming pools and hot tubs. Many offer free breakfast.

If you want something with a little more space and a little more privacy, you may choose from countless cabins and chalets being offered on overnight rental programs. The price of renting and overnight cabin can be as low as $99.00 a night and many offer specials that allow you to receive a free night when you pay for two nights. Most cabin rentals come fully stocked with everything you need right down to the silverware. All have amazing views and tranquil settings! A rental cabin is the perfect place to find peace and relaxation.

If you enjoy the great outdoors you may want to bring a tent. There are 10 campgrounds found directly inside the National Park. These are primitive campgrounds with no hookups; however each one offers flush toilets and running water. Full hook-up campgrounds can be found in nearby chaturbate communities and towns.

The area is known for its southern hospitality and friendliness. No matter what type of accommodation you choose or where it is located, you will be sure to be greeted by plenty of smiles and good 'ole southern hospitality. While you are in the area, make sure you order a big tall glass of southern sweet tea. No Smoky Mountain Vacation is complete until you have had a few glasses!

While you are here, be sure to schedule at least three hours to visit one of the most treasured areas of the National Park, Cades Cove. The entrance to Cades Cove can be found in Townsend. Cades Cove is an open-air museum that follows an 11-mile paved loop. This loop can be driven or, during certain hours, biked. There are even opportunities to horseback ride and to enjoy rides on hay wagons within this lovely cove. Here, you will discover many close-up views of nature. Prepare yourself to see many white-tailed deer walking leisurely along the roadside. On occasion, you may even spot black bears along the way. Be careful not to disturb the black bears in their natural state.

Approximately 1,600 black bears live in the park. This equals a population density of approximately two bears per square mile. Bears can be found throughout the park, but are easiest to spot in open areas such as Cades Cove and Cataloochee Valley.

With the various attractions and activities as well as the National Park with it's hiking trails, waterfalls, wildlife and more, you will not find a more family friendly vacation destination. There is something for everyone.

If you find yourself needing to get away from it all but do not have the ability to take a long vacation then the Smoky Mountains may be just what you need. It gives you the opportunity to have a week-end getaway that is not only close to your home but also affordable and enjoyable. To plan your getaway to the great Smoky Mountains, you may visit [http://greatsmokymountainvacationguide.com/index.htm] for a listing of attractions, lodging information, dining guides, horseback riding information, wedding information and more.

If you are tired of having to spend yet another weekend home, perhaps it is time to explore the vicinity of your city and invest some time to learn the specifics of the surrounding areas. Taking time off to relax is not something you should take lightly. Recreational activities are the ones that can assist you to wake up on Monday morning, feeling that this past weekend had something interesting to offer.

Although it is not always convenient to change premises or even towns, getting inside the car and travel through the country side or visit the amusement park nearby can a recreational act. Invest some time to research the Jasminelive opportunities your area offers and then adjust your weekend plans according to your interests. If for example you love hiking and your area has mountain which you have never visited, perhaps it is time to join the local hiking club and begin admiring nature up close. On the other hand, if you do not prefer moving with the car, take the bus or metro of your city and visit the museums, parks, shop districts, and famous sights of your area. You might have been crossing the art museum every morning on your way to work, but you never had time to stop and admire the artifacts that are located inside. Use your weekend time wisely and let yourself enjoy the experience you have been wishing to live.

For those of you that just a short trip to the local forest or museum does not sound like fun due to your lack of "free" weekend time, perhaps you should reconsider your house errands and "spin the wheel" of your usual grocery shopping Saturday mornings. Instead of visiting the grocery store that is near your home, take a detour and go a bit further to visit another shopping mall and take a look to the things your local food chain does not carry. Getting to a different place to do the "same old stuff" can give your day the essence of change and yourself an opportunity to check the things you have been missing for some time.

Finally, you can always stay in your house, but still do something recreational. Your indoor hobbies can be a very interesting way for you to spend some quality time with yourself and you can also unplug your phone and take a long and relaxing hot bath. The possibilities are endless, as long as you think what you have been missing and putting it as your first priority in your weekend agenda.

Every Sunday people all over the world dread getting up the next morning for work. Even if you absolutely love your job, if you don't have a fun filled weekend your work week will not be as productive. Those two days are coveted if you are like most of us who adhere to the Monday through Friday routine. The majority of our leisure time is reserved for the weekends so it is a must that we use the time wisely. Here are some ways to make your weekend more enjoyable to approach the work week with a more positive attitude.

It's OK to run errands on Saturdays but try to cut down your to do list if possible. Next to every task, write down something fun to do. Also, try to schedule shopping trips during the least busy times, usually in the evening hours when most people are enjoying dinner with their families. As an added bonus, playing with a game with your sons is a good stress reliever and reminds us of care free times of our own youth.

Don't feel guilty if you feel like vegging out one morning or even for an entire day. It's OK to stay in your pajamas for as long as you'd like! It will put you in the mindset that you do not have any time constraints or responsibilities. If you have a morning commitment, save the pajamas for later and pop in a movie. Do your best to maintain a similar sleep schedule so you don't feel exhausted on that dreaded Monday morning. Make low key plans for Sunday night; just be sure your chores are done ahead of time.

You need to be good to yourself which means supplementing some social activities into your hectic schedule so you are mentally refreshed for the beginning week. You will get burned out if you live by the all work and no play mantra. The key is to have a healthy work and life balance. If you have hobbies and interests outside of work, you will ultimately be more successful.

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