Introduction
Finding a constructive way to spend your weekends can sometimes feel like a challenge when the country’s national sport appears to be binge drinking. Most people usually drink heavily as a form of escapism from their unfulfilling job, but being hungover and sleep deprived will ultimately lead to more unfulfillment. Instead, I propose that being active is a healthier and more rewarding way to spend your weekend. Here are five reasons why getting a race, competition, or challenge in the diary may just be the answer you’ve been looking for:
1. Setting a Goal
One of the most powerful motivators in life is having a goal to work towards. We all need a purpose, and physical challenges provide a clear and tangible objective. Whether it's a charity hike or an Ironman Triathlon, having something physically arduous in your calendar gives you something to strive for, other than just trying to lift more than your ex’s new partner in the gym.
2. Structure and Routine
For most people, weekends often signal a break from the structured routine of the work week. While some spontaneous relaxation is essential, the complete absence of structure often results in impulsivity and over-indulgence. Participating in fitness classes, groups, or activities on the other hand, reintroduces some structure back into your weekends. Training, meal prepping, and gobbing off about how morally superior you are become integral parts of your routine. This new found discipline and narcissism will keep you from falling into the trap of aimless weekend debauchery.
3. Positive Peer Pressure
Attaching yourself to a community of like-minded individuals and being part of a group that shares a common goal will create positive peer pressure. Instead of spending your weekends with ‘friends’ who encourage you to do a gram of coke in the local Wetherspoons, allocate your time to people who are committed to more constructive endeavours.
4. Sense of Achievement
They say that running is the opposite to taking drugs, because instead of feeling good in the moment, the gratification comes when it’s over. For me, nothing quite compares to the sense of accomplishment that comes with completing something physically demanding, because you know you’ve earned it. Anyone can disgrace themselves under the influence and get manhandled by a bouncer, but it takes dedication and hard work to bomb past a pensioner on the final straight of a park run.
5. Health Benefits
I’m somewhat stating the obvious here, but the physical and mental health benefits of participating in regular exercise are undeniable. Equally, when you're committed to training for an event or challenge, you're far less likely to end up in a nightclub toilet in the early hours, spewing up a mix of Blueberry VK and Rollover Hotdog. Unsurprisingly, this is not often cited as being conducive to positive physical or mental health.
Summary
In a world where weekends for most young people often resemble a hedonistic blur of cheap pints, donner meat, and morning regret, being fit and active offers a refreshing and healthier alternative. So, the next time you're contemplating how to spend your weekend, remember that the average person only gets 4000 in their entire lifetime, so spend your best ones wisely.