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You know the situation all too well. It’s been another long week at work… the one that’s had you wishing it was already Friday, when it’s just Monday. Or the one where you don’t even really know what day it is anymore, as everything’s been one big blur.
Or my favorite… the kind of week that’s got you looking at flights to dreamy vacation places halfway across the world. A much needed and welcome escape.
When all is said and done, you can't wait for the weekend to have a day to unwind, relax, and recuperate. More specifically, you can't wait for self-care Sunday.
What is Self-Care Sunday?
The objective of a self-care Sunday is to allot one free day where you will do absolutely nothing but take care of yourself. How you define self-care will ultimately depend on you, although it generally refers to having relaxing and restful time to yourself.
Self-care Sunday is an important day for you because it is your chance to rest, recharge, and recover from the grueling week past. For some, it is also a way to prepare for the upcoming days ahead. Regardless of how you view it, you owe it to yourself to give attention to your needs, just as much as you pay attention to your work.
The Importance of Self Care
Without a regular self-care routine, you’re more likely to experience burnout, which could then lead to bigger issues both in your personal and professional life. So, take a look at the bigger picture and grant yourself some time to let go of the week past and get ready for the one coming ahead.
Today, I’ll offer 43 self-care Sunday ideas you can do to have the relaxing day off you deserve. Trust me, life gets easier and more enjoyable when you take it one day at a time… and this doesn’t mean you have to spend it alone. Some self-care Sunday ideas are perfect for couples.
Awesome and Simple Self Care Sunday Ideas
1. Enjoy a day at the spa
Going to the spa is one of the most common self-care Sunday ideas you can ever come across, and for a good reason. It’s luxurious, it’s relaxing, it’s everything you need to take away all the stress you’ve had the last few days.
2. Soak in a detox bath
Fill up your tub with water and pour Epsom salt in it before soaking in. Detox baths are meant to rid your body of toxins, and are very relaxing. You can also add in essential oils and ginger if you’d like. Take your time. You can soak in there for as little as 10 minutes to an hour.
3. Relax with a soothing face mask
Face masks are great not only for rejuvenating your skin but also for helping you relax. The cooling sensation on your face can help dissolve away the stress, even for the few minutes that you have it on.
4. Do yoga
Yoga, of course, is a meditative practice that entails a lot of stretching. It’s challenging, yes, but trust me, it’s very rewarding especially once you complete the entire session. It’s an accomplishment that you’ve made for yourself, in the here and now.
5. Take a leisurely walk around the park
Self-care Sunday doesn’t have to be anything fancy. It can be as simple as putting your walking shoes on and taking a stroll around the park or going for a hike on a trail.
Go on, be outside, soak in the sun, and enjoy the pleasant experience of unhurried, aimless walking.
6. Run or jog outdoors
If you prefer having more of an adrenaline rush, then put on your running shoes instead and go for a jog outside.
You’ll still be getting the same benefits of being outdoors, while at the same time getting some workout in.
7. Run on the treadmill
You’d rather stay indoors but would still like a good run, you say? Then hop on the treadmill if you have one. Otherwise, you can go to your local gym and hang out there. The important thing is that you work up a sweat and you feel good about accomplishing it for the day.
8. Sleep in
Sometimes, something as basic as sleep is very hard to come by. Especially for those who run around with such busy lives, sleep can be so evasive that they need sleeping aids to get them there. Clear your Sunday morning to stay in bed longer. You know you deserve those extra Zzzzzs.
9. Have a late breakfast
And since you’re sleeping in, this means you’ll be having your breakfast late. There’s no need to rush, because Sunday is dedicated to yourself. Whether you make a special one for yourself or decide to drive and dine out, it’s all yours to enjoy.
10. Get your nails done
Nothing screams self-care more than perfectly manicured nails. Think about it. When you see manicured nails, you consciously think the color’s nice, or the design is cute. But what you’re subconsciously thinking is that wow, she takes care of herself.
Because in getting your nails done, you’re literally giving up the use of your hands for some pampering. It’s the epitome of self-care through and through.
PS, men can benefit form mani/pedis as well. There are clear color choices and it’s growing in popularity.
11. Check out the farmer’s market
I don’t know about you, but the farmer’s market can be very relaxing. Even if you’re not all that into cooking, there’s something special about seeing fresh produce and flowers, along with homemade bread and desserts lined up for everyone to see. It’s a great way to meet your neighbors too.
12. Play a video game
Playing video games is one of the best ways to unwind and escape from reality, albeit briefly. Whether it’s a casual game on your mobile phone to one a challenging quest on your console, the challenges are for you to accomplish.
13. Get a massage
Relieve the stress and loosen up. Getting a massage is one of the most recommended things you can do for a self-care weekend. The best part is that it’s got some really cool benefits too, like flushing out toxins from your body and relieving sore muscles.
14. Have a body scrub
Take a good long shower and enjoy a luxurious body scrub. The exfoliating sensation against the skin helps stimulate the nerves and get the circulation going. Plus, you’ll come out of the shower smelling really good and feeling really fresh.
15. Go biking
Go ahead, take that bike out for a spin. Remind yourself why you bought that bike in the first place, and that’s because you love the feel of the wind against your face as you bike around outdoors. It’s great for cardio too.
16. Light scented candles
Not just any regular scented candles, but aromatherapy candles. Aromatherapy has been known to significantly decrease stress and improve mood, which is exactly what you need after a long week.
17. Spend the day with your pets
Pets are angels here on earth. They’re not only very cute, they’re also very efficient stressbusters. Don’t you just love it when they so effortlessly wipe your frowns away and replace it with a huge smile simply by being cute and cuddly? Yep, that sounds like a perfect Sunday spent, alright.
18. Cook and eat your favorite meal
Here’s a literal take of “treat yourself.” If you’re the type of person who enjoys spending time in the kitchen, then go ahead and whip something up for yourself. You can try learning a new recipe or you can make your own favorite meal.
19. Lounge around in the park
Not into biking or running? Go to the park anyway and do nothing. Simply enjoy the bright, sunny day. Go on a picnic yourself, or watch others enjoy theirs. You don’t always have to be productive and active to do self-care.
20. Curl up with a book
In case you get bored doing nothing at the park, you can catch up on your reading with a good book. You can do that too right inside your own home, in case you don’t really feel like being outside.
21. Soak up the sun by the pool or beach
If you’re near a body of water, you can hang out there too. You don’t necessarily have to go for a swim, but simply seeing the fresh blue waters can be soothing to the eyes.
The sound of the gentle waves can be very meditative and relaxing too. And Vitamin D is a great fix for stress relief.
22. Watch your favorite film/TV show
Be a potato for a day. Spend it on the couch watching your favorite films or TV shows. It’s a great way to de-stress, and it’s the perfect time to catch up on the stories you’ve missed because you’ve been too busy being an adult the past week.
23. Change your sheets
It sounds like a chore, and it is. But part of taking care of yourself is making sure that you keep yourself–and your things–clean. Changing your sheets is a simple but effective way of self-care because it shows that you care enough about your well-being to ensure that the bed, you’re lying on is clean and fresh.
24. Meditate
You can integrate this with your yoga practice, but in case you don’t do yoga, you can actually meditate on your own too. Spend a few minutes in silence.
Five to ten minutes can be enough for starters, and then you can try and go for longer as you progress. Meditation has been known to have plenty of benefits, not only mentally but physically too.
25. Go to the sauna
Go ahead, sweat it out. Going to the sauna is a great way to rejuvenate your body by flushing out the toxins. Pair it with an ice-cold bath afterwards, and you can truly make the most out of the health benefits it has to offer. It’s a plus that you come out with fresher, younger looking skin.
26. Write in your journal
Decluttering your mind is just as important as decluttering your physical space. Write in your journal about all the things you wished you could have talked about but didn’t get to because of your hectic week.
Write about your intentions for the coming week. Write about your feelings in the present moment.
27. Have a bubble bath
It’s similar to a detox bath, only this one is full of bubbles. Bubble baths are fun and relaxing, so go ahead, soak in it. Throw in some candles and a glass of wine and sink into your personal bubble of calm.
28. Make a fruit salad or smoothie
Eat something fresh and healthy. Grab some fruits and turn them into a fruit salad or smoothie. Now that you’re enjoying a slowed down Sunday, you do have the time to create a healthy snack, so do it.
29. Try a float spa
You know one of those float capsules, the one filled with saltwater so you just float? Yep, that’s the one. You should try that out, because it’s very good for destressing. Imagine floating for an hour, letting go of all the stress and tension in your body. You’ll be coming out of it a truly renewed person.
30. Try cryotherapy
Cryotherapy uses extreme cold throughout the body for a couple to several minutes. It’s gotten popular, especially among athletes and those with an active lifestyle, thanks to its restorative and rejuvenating properties.
31. Invest in a foot spa
Our feet have many different nerve endings that may affect the state of the rest of our body. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to foot health. Getting a foot spa is one way of doing it.
You can get a massage for it, as well as a luxurious foot bath that takes away all the stress and pressures from it, especially if you spend a lot of time on your feet. Ionic foot baths are great for detoxifying your body.
32. Get a mud bath
While at the spa, why not order a mud bath? It’s great for removing impurities from the skin, while at the same time being relaxing as well. It’s also been found to be great for skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, and can also relieve pain from rheumatoid arthritis, among others.
33. Enjoy your diet cheat day
It’s impressive that you’ve stuck to your guns with your diet, and that you’re finally reaping the results of your hard work. But also, it wouldn’t hurt to allow yourself a cheat day.
Not only does it allow you to satisfy your cravings, but it also prevents you from revenge-binging because you’ve been feeling deprived for so long.
34. Finish a puzzle
Working on puzzles is a no-fuss, very in the moment kind of activity. If you’ve been putting off a puzzle for a while, now is the best time to do it. Or maybe you’d like to start a fresh, new one. Spend your Sunday making something while doing nothing.
35. Complete a coloring book
If you’re not a puzzle kind of person, then you can do a coloring book instead. The world is your playground, so if you want to color the sky green instead of blue, that’s totally up to you. You can always say you exercised your creative license, anyway.
36. Go Shopping
Some people get such a thrill being at the mall and doing some shopping. If that’s your kind of thing, then do it! You know how satisfying and relaxing it is seeing all those pretty wares out by the storefront windows.
It’s especially fulfilling being able to reward yourself with the money you’ve earned being hard at work.
37. Have a brunch date
Not quite breakfast, and not quite lunch. A brunch is the perfect mid-morning meal to enjoy with yourself, or with someone whose company you enjoy. Throw in a glass of mimosa too for some added fizz to your day.
38. Go fishing
Fishing is one of the most relaxing, yet at the same time exciting things you can do. Waiting for the fish to bite can be meditative, while reeling them in can be exciting and adrenaline-pumping. It’s the best of both worlds, and one that can help you enjoy a self-care Sunday well-spent.
39. Go hiking
Nothing says enjoy the outdoors as much as hiking does. Enjoy nature, get your steps in, work on your cardio. Focus on your hike instead of the missteps you made last week at work, nagging you even in your sleep. Be present for yourself.
40. Catch the sunrise/sunset
Find your spot and watch the sun go about their day. If you’re a morning person, you can catch the beauty of the sunrise.
If not, you can catch the romantic sunset instead. Either way, it will be quite a show, that’s for sure.
41. Go to a museum
You don’t need to be an avid fan of art history to appreciate going to a museum. You only need to look around and enjoy the beautiful art. It can be a refreshing and soothing sight to behold, plus you’re doing some light workout too from all the walking without even realizing it.
42. Visit a botanical garden
If you’re the type of person who finds flowers soothing, then a botanical garden is just perfect for you. Spend the day in one during your self-care Sunday. It’s really important that you treat yourself by surrounding yourself with things that you love and inspire you.
43. Spend the day with people you love
Whatever the activity may be, nothing can be better than spending it with the people you love. It can be your significant other, your family, your closest friends, or sometimes, just yourself.
Because self-love is self-care too, and it’s important that you pay attention to your needs just as much as you do for others.
Final Thoughts on Self Care Sunday
Whichever you decide to take from this list, the important thing is that you spend at least one day in the week dedicated only to YOU…because you deserve it. Practicing self-care now will be beneficial to you in the long run. It’s never too late to start making yourself a priority.
Another huge benefit of practicing self-care regularly is that it can help relieve your stress and anxieties. You can also read up on some more tips to calm your anxiety using the 3-3-3 rule here.
