Many people plan relaxing weekends at home and find themselves more frazzled and worn out than ever by the time the weekend is over. This occurs because people fail to properly plan and prepare for periods of unconstructed time. Even when they purposely don’t schedule activities and social engagements for the weekend, the time still seems to get eaten up doing things other than relaxing. Fortunately, several strategies exist that are designed to help you get the most out of your down time. Following are three of them.

Designate Down Time

Whether your idea of unwinding involves watching a movie, unplugging from the internet and puttering in the garden, or reading an engrossing novel, you’ll be less likely to experience outside interruptions if you put aside a block of time for your chosen activity. Just telling yourself that you’re going to watch a movie at some point during the day leaves the door open for that time being pushed farther and farther back until the weekend ends. It’s also important to be strict about enforcing personal boundaries rather than letting friends and family talk you into something that you really don’t wan to do because, after all, you aren’t doing anything anyway. Unless something is an absolute emergency, don’t let others sway you from your course.

Play Tourist in Your Own Town

Turn off your cell phone and hit Vancouver like a tourist. Whale watching season on the Pacific coast lasts from the first of April through the end of November, and it provides an excellent way to experience the natural beauty of the area firsthand. Tours range from short excursions that last a couple of hours all the way up to romantic dinner cruises where you’ll enjoy fine dining by the light of the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean.

If whale watching and other activities aren’t an option due to the time of year, weather, or personal preference, visit the art galleries, museums, cafes, coffee shops, and brew pubs. You could also spend hours perusing the available reading material in one of the area’s iconic local bookstores. Many people find it really relaxing to simply meander through the communities making new discoveries.

Set the Right Tone First Thing in the Morning

Starting off the morning with a luxurious coffee, tea, or breakfast sets the tone for the rest of the day. If you enjoy going out for breakfast or brunch, go to your favorite cafe. If staying in is more your thing, prepare a nice morning meal and savor it from your breakfast nook or patio. Some people like to begin their day with a leisurely walk in a lovely neighborhood park or around the block.

One you make a habit of scheduling unconstructed time for yourself, relaxing, rejuvenating weekends, they’ll become part of your normal routine.