Despite the fact that it's becoming more and more common to have jobs — or side hustles — that extend outside (or above and beyond) the traditional 9-5, Monday through Friday work week, many of us still try to somewhat savor our Saturdays and Sunday. For some of us, making the most of our weekend looks like Bloody Mary's and brunch with friends and for others it's taking full advantage of some quality, quiet alone time. Regardless of what you typically get into on your time off, working in some time for wellness is never a bad idea.

Wellness isn't just about sipping green juice practicing meditation (but if that's your preferred method, then more power to you!), it can be so many forms of self-care. And to get an idea of ways you can tune into yourself and recharge on the weekend — regardless of whether you also want to squeeze in a boozy brunch — we turned to our friend Jacqulyn Whang, a public school teacher, yogi, and poet, to find out some tips for making the most of your time off with some mindful practices. Read on to see how she spends her off days (mostly) unplugging from work, and plugging into herself. 

Morning Stretch

"The first morning stretch I do is in bed. I stretch my arms out to the top of the bed and my feet to the bottom of my bed. I do a little twists, bending my legs and dropping them to both sides of my body. I'll do a quick down ward facing down and forward fold before I head out to work."

Working (in moderation)

"Though I often have to work during the weekend, I'm constantly taking breaks. This makes work enjoyable and part of my lifestyle. Some people would rather compartmentalize their work and personal life, but for me they both motivate and inspire one another. To stop myself from overworking, I make sure to intentionally shut off my mind and take a break. I force myself to go on walks, frequent dinner meet ups, solo restaurant dates, and bike rides."

Getting Outside

"I need to be outside everyday. I love walking my dog, doing yoga at the park, and riding my bike. I'm currently trying to get my bunny hop!"

Freestyle Flow

"My practice is an extension of me. I practice yoga during my prep period during the school day and before I go to bed. Days I don't work, I sneak in a morning session. The flow fits my energy level. I rarely move myself to sweat, rather I focus on restoring, heat building, and flexibility. Sometimes I play music (90's rap and R&B, instrumental, jazz, or worship) and other times the sound of my breath is more than enough. The practice looks different everyday, but always ends in re-centering and self compassion."

Photos by Celina Kenyon