I’m supposed to be writing an opinion piece about the Indian travel industry’s reluctance to accept a solo female traveler (remember this?), and I swear, right about now, I’ll do anything but tackle that.

The article is not difficult; it’s practically written. It’s just that I’m still sick, and instead of just taking a day off and recovering, I’ve been sitting in front of my computer for the last twelve hours trying to bang this thing out, unsuccessfully.

Why do we do this to ourselves?

It’s so important to rest and recover, I’ve realized. Everyone needs to recharge, even the workaholic insomniacs among us. I started taking the weekends off last year (which is why I’m always reluctant to take any additional days off during the week), and I noticed such a dramatic change. I wanted to get back to work on Monday mornings. I couldn’t wait to start writing. I was overflowing with ideas and energy and it would translate on to the page. I suddenly became much more productive.

This was an incredible revelation to me, because I was one of those people who never switched off. I was always doing something– if not writing for publication, then this blog, or my journal, or reading and coming up with ideas, or checking out different photographers, or studying magazines, or finding names of editors, or something. I just never switched off. And it was so unproductive.

Now, not only do I take some time off each week, but I spend it with friends, go out and have a good time, check out new things to do and places to see in the city. I have fun. And I always come back to work refreshed and ready to produce some great work.

I’ve started cherishing my weekends now. The rare times that I have to sacrifice them because of extra work, I slog through the rest of the week.

What about you? Do you take weekends off? What do you do on your days off?