Most Americans have the day off today in recognition of the Fourth of July, which conveniently fell on a Saturday this year.  Unlike many of you, my three-day-weekend started on Friday (we have staff meetings every Monday – the only time we’re all in the office – so it was easier to cancel work on Friday).  So now that I’m coming off the 72 hours of rest and relaxation I can tell you I feel more refreshed than ever!

To many, I appear to be a work-a-holic.  I spend several hours in the office followed by several more working from my living room.  It gives me something to do, but it also drains me without showing any immediate symptoms of burnout.  I don’t get irritable, I just stop sleeping.  This is bad for me, for my family, and my work – and when my work suffers I sleep even less.

So when I take a weekend, I try to avoid work as much as possible.  Since you’ve already had Saturday and Sunday, here are four tips on how to make your Monday even more relaxing:

1. Turn off the computer – I limit myself to no more than 40 minutes of computer time per day on a weekend.  Any more than that and I’m tempted to work.
2. Make yourself an extravagent breakfast – Pop tarts or cheerios just don’t cut it.  Step out of your daily routine and prepare a meal that’s out-of-character for you.
3. Go for a hike – The weather’s been fantastic lately!  Take the opportunity to leave the house and get some fresh air.  I’m confident you’re just a short drive from being able to take a long walk in the woods.
4. Turn off Twitter – And Facebook, and MySpace, and any other social network that has you connected 24/7.  You’re just leaving the digital world for one day, not your entire life.

These tips aren’t going to solve everyone’s work-life-balance issues overnight, but they might help you approach the shorter workweek with reignited passion for your job.  At the least, you’ll get a good night’s sleep tonight.