The 5:2 work/life ratio is a tough one that consumes 30 to 40 years of the best years of your life. And if you don't love your work, that can be a grim predicament. Even you are in your dream job, at some time or another something will highlight how unfair the work/life ratio can be, which is why the balance needs tilting. But how?

be completely selfish and do whatever you want, including nothing at all

We talked about this in the Balance issue – a day to do, as clichéd as it sounds, what makes you happy. Office politics, nightmare managers, job insecurity, dreary commutes or the wrong job to name but a few of work's side effects, take their toll mentally and physically, usually when you least need it. But when you arrange a day off, there's something to look forward to. When you arrange a regular day off, it's something you can dedicate to a long-term project, maybe even something to escape the daily grind.

Benefits

• Return to work refreshed.


• Reduce stress.


• Increase productivity at work, because you will:
  1. get more done because you only have so much time between now and your day off to complete tasks;
  2. feel positive about having that day off ahead; and
  3. be less resistant to doing work.

Rules of the day

• Be selfish. It's a day for you that you may not even be paid for, so do what you want to do.


• Plan for it ahead of time so that you can start the day with purpose.


• Go somewhere new or different. Don't spend each day off at home. Aim to get out, see something, do something or try something new, even if just for an hour.


• Commit to what you had planned.


• A half-day won't do. Take the whole day off to really unwind or get things done, and make the most of it. Schedule another day if a full day is not possible.


• Tell people who might steal your time that you won't be reachable.


• Put up a Do Not Disturb on social media and create a day-off voice message.


• Better yet, switch off. You'll avoid unforeseen negativity from social media and won't accidentally waste hours looking at other people getting on with it.


• Take it unpaid if you've used up paid leave or your manager isn't convinced.


• Record what you did with a photo or journaling, so that you can review it, be motivated to take another, and better utilize it next time.

Remember that it's a day to be completely selfish and do whatever you want, including nothing at all. With each day off you'll get better at seizing the day, identifying opportunities and maximizing their benefits.