How to make your Sunday the best day of the week
We all know that feeling. It is Sunday evening. The weekend is almost over. You start thinking about Monday morning. You worry about your alarm clock. You think about work. You think about the chores you did not finish. This feeling can ruin your whole weekend.
But there is a better way. It is called Self Care Sunday.
This is not just a trend for people on the internet. It is a real way to help yourself feel better. It helps you relax. It helps you get ready for the new week. The best part is that anyone can do it. You do not need lots of money. You do not need to be an expert. You just need a little bit of time for yourself.
This guide will help you build a perfect self care Sunday. I will look at simple ways to rest your body and your mind. We will help you beat the Sunday blues.
What is self care?
Some people think self care is selfish. This is not true. Think about a car. If you drive a car every day but never put petrol in it, the car will stop working. If you never take the car to the garage, it will break down.
You are like the car. You work hard all week. You look after your family. You do chores. You pay bills. If you never stop to rest, you will run out of energy. You might get sick. You might feel sad or angry.
Self care is how you put fuel back in your tank. It means doing things that make you feel good. It means looking after your mental health and your physical health. When you look after yourself, you have more energy to look after other people.
Why choose self care Sunday?
You can practice self care on any day. But Sunday is often the best day. For many people in the UK, Sunday is a slower day. Shops close earlier. There is less traffic on the roads. It is a day traditionally used for rest.
Sunday is also the day before the working week starts. If you rest well on Sunday, Monday will feel easier. You will wake up feeling fresh. You will be ready to tackle your tasks.
Starting your morning the right way
The best Self Care Sunday starts as soon as you wake up.
Ditch the alarm clock
During the week, you probably wake up to a loud noise. You jump out of bed. You rush to get dressed. On Sunday, try to wake up naturally. Let your body sleep until it is ready to wake up. Extra sleep is one of the best things for your brain. It helps repair your body.
If you have children or pets, this might be hard. Maybe you can take turns with your partner to get a lie-in. Or maybe you can go to bed a bit earlier on Saturday night.
Stay in your pyjamas
There is no rule that says you must get dressed immediately. Stay in your comfortable clothes. Put on your dressing gown. Wear your warm slippers. Being comfortable is a huge part of relaxing. If your clothes are tight or scratchy, you will not relax fully.
Pampering your body
Self care often involves looking after your skin and body. This helps you feel clean and fresh.
Take a long bath
A shower is for getting clean quickly. A bath is for relaxing, use natural shower gel to wash. Run the hot water. Add some bubbles or bath salts. If you do not have those, just warm water is fine. Lie back and soak. The heat helps your muscles relax. It can help with aches and pains.
Look after your skin
You might want to put on a face mask. You can buy cheap ones from the chemist. Or you can just use a good moisturiser. Rub lotion into your hands and feet. Our hands work hard all week. They deserve a treat on self care Sunday too. If you have dry skin, using a shower oil for dry skin can help make a difference.
Enjoy a proper breakfast
During the week, you might just grab a slice of toast. You might eat it while standing up. On self care Sunday, sit down. Make something you really like.
- Make some pancakes.
- Cook a full English breakfast.
- Have some porridge with fruit.
- Just have tea and biscuits.
The important thing is to eat slowly. Taste your food. Enjoy the quiet moment before the day begins.
Getting out in the fresh air
Sitting on the sofa is nice. But fresh air is magical. It clears the cobwebs from your mind. In the UK, we are lucky to have many green spaces. We have parks, woods, and canals.
Go for a gentle walk
You do not need to run. You do not need to hike up a mountain. Just go for a stroll. Walk around your local park. Walk to the shop to get a paper.
- Listen to the birds.
- Look at the trees.
- Feel the wind on your face.
Walking releases happy chemicals in your brain. Even a ten-minute walk can make you feel happier.
Do not worry about the weather
We know the British weather can be wet. Do not let the rain stop you. Put on your raincoat. Put on your wellies. Splash in the puddles if you want to. Sometimes, a walk in the rain is very refreshing. Then you can come home and get warm again. That feeling of getting warm after being cold is very comforting.
Digital detox
This is a very important step on self care Sunday. We spend too much time looking at screens. We look at our phones. We look at the television. We look at computers.
Screens can make us feel stressed. We see bad news on the internet. We see people arguing on social media. We see photos of people who seem perfect. This can make us feel like our lives are not good enough. Here are the things you should do on self care Sunday.
Put the phone away
Try to put your phone in a drawer for a few hours. Or just leave it in another room.
- Do not check your work emails.
- Do not look at the news.
- Do not scroll through social media.
You might feel bored at first. That is okay. Boredom can actually be good for you. It lets your mind wander. It helps you be creative.
Relaxing activities for the afternoon
Now you are fed and walked. You have put your phone away. What should you do next on self care Sunday? Here are some simple ideas.
Read a book
Reading is a great escape. It takes you to a different world. It makes your brain work in a gentle way. Pick a book that is easy to read. You do not need to read something difficult. Read a magazine if you prefer. Or read a comic book. Just find a quiet corner and get lost in a story.
Listen to something
If you do not like reading, try listening. Put on your favourite music. Dance around the kitchen if you want to. Or listen to a podcast. There are podcasts about everything. You can listen to comedy, history, or stories. Audiobooks are also great. You can close your eyes and just listen to the voice.
Get creative
Making things with your hands is very relaxing. It stops you worrying about other things. Why not do this on Self Care Sunday?
- Do some colouring. Adult colouring books are very popular.
- Do a jigsaw puzzle.
- Do some gardening.
- Bake a cake.
You do not need to be good at art. The goal is not to make a masterpiece. The goal is just to enjoy doing it.
Have a nap
There is no shame in having a nap. Self Care Sunday afternoon naps are famous for a reason. Set a timer for twenty minutes. Close your eyes. Even if you do not fall asleep, resting your eyes is good for you.
Food for the soul
Sunday dinner is a big tradition in the UK. Food is a big part of self care especially on self care Sunday.
Comfort food
Cook something that smells good. A roast dinner is lovely, but it takes a lot of effort. If you enjoy cooking, then make a roast. If you hate cooking, do not do it. Self care Sunday means not doing things you hate.
- Order a takeaway.
- Make beans on toast.
- Make a simple pasta dish.
- Heat up some soup.
The best Sunday meal is one that makes you feel warm and happy.
Drink plenty of water
We often drink lots of tea and coffee. We might have a glass of wine. But water is what our body needs most. Try to drink a few glasses of water throughout the day. It will stop you getting a headache. It helps your skin look better.
Getting ready for Monday
The “Sunday Scaries” happen because we are worried about the next day. A little bit of planning on self care Sunday can stop this worry.
The ten-minute tidy
Do not spend all self care Sunday cleaning. That is not relaxing. But a messy house can be stressful. Set a timer for ten minutes.
- Wash the dishes.
- Put the children’s toys away.
- Hang up your coat.
Just ten minutes can make the house feel calmer. When you wake up on Monday, the kitchen will be clean. That is a nice gift to give yourself.
Check your diary
Look at what you have to do next week. Do you have appointments? Do the kids need a packed lunch? Knowing what is happening stops you from panicking. Write a short list. Get your clothes ready for the morning. Then put the list away and forget about it forthe rest of self care Sunday. You have a plan. You do not need to worry anymore.
Self care Sunday on a budget
You might see people on the internet going to expensive spas. They might buy expensive creams. You do not need money to practice self care Sunday.
Here are some free ideas:
- Go to the library. Books are free.
- Have a nap.
- Sit in the garden or park.
- Write in a journal.
- Talk to a friend on the phone.
- Stretch your body.
- Listen to the radio.
Self care Sunday is about how you feel. It is not about what you buy.
Setting boundaries
This is the hardest part of self care. Sometimes, you have to say no.
People might want you to visit them. They might ask you to do favours. If you are tired, it is okay to say no. You can say: “I am having a quiet day today.”
You do not need to make excuses. Your time belongs to you. If you spend all self care Sunday pleasing other people, you will not be rested for Monday. Protect your peace and quiet.
Making it a habit
Try to do one small thing for yourself every Sunday. It does not have to be a whole day. Maybe it is just one hour in the evening. Maybe it is just a nice bath.
If you miss a week, do not worry. Just try again next week. The goal is to be kind to yourself.
Summary Checklist for a Great Sunday
If you are not sure where to start, pick three things from this list:
- Sleep: Wake up without an alarm.
- Move: Go for a short walk outside.
- Disconnect: Put your phone away for one hour.
- Eat: Have a meal you really enjoy.
- Relax: Read a book or listen to music.
- Bathe: Have a hot bath or shower.
- Plan: Spend ten minutes getting ready for Monday.
Conclusion
Self Care Sunday is not about being lazy. It is about recharging your battery. Life can be busy and loud. We all have jobs to do. We all have people to look after. But you cannot look after anyone else if you are broken.
Take this Sunday to slow down. Be kind to yourself. Eat the cake. Take the nap. Go for the walk. You deserve to feel good. When Monday morning comes, you will feel stronger and happier. And remember, there is always next Sunday to look forward to.
