Self-care helps us find balance in life and work, especially when things seem like they’re getting out of control. This year has forced many of us to slow down, spend more time at home, and pause and reflect. Need a new Sunday routine to help you prepare for the week? Use these self-care Sunday ideas to recharge your mind and body.
If you don’t have time on Sunday, pick one day out of the week to start incorporating self-care activities into your schedule.
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Self-care Sunday Ideas Checklist
- Start a gratitude journal.
- Create a luxe at-home day spa experience.
- Move your body.
- Plan your next dream vacation.
- Treat yourself.
- Have a busy schedule? Meal prep to save time.
- Get inspired to try something new.
Self-care Ideas to Increase Productivity
- Create actionable goals for the week.
- Clear any clutter to avoid distractions.
- Make a list of things hindering your growth.
- Be proactive about your goals.
- Rest and get to bed early.
- Practice saying no.
In this post, we’ll dive into how to practice self-care daily, inspiration to help you reset, and ideas to boost productivity.
Finding time for a Self-care Routine
If you’re investing your time and energy into creating a successful business, one of the best ways to look after yourself, is to put yourself first. When you don’t take care of your mind and body, it’s tough to show up and perform to your full potential.
Feeling Zoom burnout?
Imposter syndrome or negative thoughts creeping in?
Ready to disconnect and unplug from all the noise?
While you don’t have to dedicate an entire day to practice self-care, find moments in your day to day to do something for your mental health. Treat yourself. Take care of your mind and body.
Start by penciling in 30 minutes of self-care into your schedule. This will help you establish a routine that works for you. If you feel like you need an hour to yourself, don’t be shy about asking for help to focus on you.
Make a list of things that help you feel grounded, reduce stress, and make you feel good.
1. Start a gratitude journal.
Journaling is a great way to keep track of your thoughts, goals, and anything that inspires. Wondering what to write in a gratitude journal? Anything that makes you feel good or grateful for the day. Make a list of three things that you’re thankful for. If you feel a sudden burst of inspiration, share your thoughts in your favorite notebook. Make it a habit to write something down as soon as you wake up or right before you sleep. The next time you’re in a funk, feeling down or not feeling 100%, reach for your gratitude journal and read what’s already written to give you an instant smile.
These are the pregnancy journal prompts I use to release stress.
2. Create a luxe at-home day spa experience.
You don’t have to spend a fortune on an expensive massage or a ½ day at the spa. Stock up on your favorite bath bombs, candles, and essential oils to help you unwind. Schedule a detox after a tough day at work, or whenever you need an escape. Light some candles, set the mood, and soak your worries away. Depending on which essential oils you use, they can give you an energy boost or help you feel calmer. I love adding a few drops of lavender essential oil to a spritz bottle for an instant refresh. You can also add some peppermint or eucalyptus to your shower to bring self-care back into your life.
3. Move your body.
This is one of my favorite self-care Sunday ideas. Take a break from what you’re doing and get outside to breathe some fresh air. If you’ve been working on your computer all day or vegging out at home, move your body for at least 30 minutes to recharge. You don’t have to take a yoga class to enjoy the benefits of this form of self-care. Unroll your yoga mat at home and stretch your body before or after a long day. Meditation is also an excellent way to clear your mind. Start with a few minutes a day until you find what works for you. Set an intention, unplug your phone, and add exercise to your self-care Sunday routine.
4. Plan your next dream vacation.
Just because you can’t travel now doesn’t mean you can’t start planning your next dream getaway. Create a dream board on Pinterest of locations you’d like to visit. Get some inspiration for places to stay, things to do, and top things to eat. You might even find a deal so good it’s hard to pass up. If traveling abroad isn’t in the cards, plan a staycation. Who wouldn’t love staying in a luxury cabin or nature retreat to get away from it all?
5. Treat yourself.
If you can’t get to the salon today, pamper yourself at home. While you may not want to cut your own hair, you can try simple beauty treatments like hair masks, face masks, and mani/pedis.
Give your skin a little TLC with an at-home facial.
- Cleanse your skin to remove any makeup, oils, and dead skin cells.
- Exfoliate your skin with a gentle scrub.
- Stock up on face masks to give your skin an instant boost.
- Hydrate with your favorite moisturizer.
6. Have a busy schedule? Meal prep to save time.
Healthy food choices impact how you feel. If you’re struggling to find time to get everything done, carve some time into your schedule on Sunday to meal prep for the week. You’ll have lunch or dinner, ready to go. Not only will you save time during the week, but you’ll also save money by not eating out or ordering any takeaway.
7. Get inspired to try something new.
Sometimes the same routine can get a bit stale. Switch things up by doing something new. Plan a fun date night with your partner, prepare a fresh meal, or learn a new skill online. Make a list of hobbies that you’ve wanted to pick up. Get inspired for the week by investing in yourself.
Here are some ideas for fun, creative, and new at-home date night experiences.
Productivity Hacks: Try These Self-care Sunday Ideas
8. Create actionable goals for the week.
Sunday is a good time for a restart. Don’t wait until the end of the year to visualize what you want to accomplish. Use every week as a chance to get organized and set yourself up for success. I add tasks to my to-do list the night before so I know what I need to get accomplished the next morning. Whether it’s content for a client, a new post for this blog, or my newsletter, I know exactly where to focus my attention as soon as I wake up. I use Asana to keep track of my to-do list.
9. Clear any clutter to avoid distractions.
If you’re searching for ways to connect with yourself, start at home. Clean out your closet and get rid of things you don’t need, or donate anything you no longer use. It’s a great way to give your home office or closet a refresh. It could help boost your creativity and productivity, and you might find something new to wear that was tucked away in the back of your closet. Create a cozy space in your home, so you feel comfortable unwinding and de-stressing when you need to.
10. Make a list of things hindering your growth.
Hello, social media. I see you! Jot down a list of apps or things you’re doing that stop you from reaching your goals. I’ve deleted certain apps on my phone that were sucking up my time and stealing my productive energy. Writing these things down helped me come face to face with the things that prevented me from growing my business.
11. Be proactive about your goals.
If you’re feeling unmotivated at work, elevate your career skills. If you’re unhappy in your 9 to 5, that can take a toll on your mood and well-being. Take steps to make yourself more marketable. Plan a meeting with your boss to discuss room for growth. Visualize what your dream career looks like, and create an actionable plan to help you get there.
12. Rest and get to bed early.
If you’re burning the candle at both ends, it will take a toll on your mind and your body. Burnout is a real thing and can happen when you’re not focusing on your needs. Skip the late-night TV binge sessions of your favorite shows, and hit the sack early. Get enough sleep, so you don’t feel sluggish in the morning. Wake up at a similar time to reset your internal clock. Sleep impacts your psychological health, metabolism, cardiovascular health, and immune system.
13 Practice saying no.
Do you find yourself saying yes to everything? Are you looking at every opportunity that comes your way as a move in the right direction? While you might think doing a favor for someone you know or doing something for free to further your career might help you grow – it might actually be getting in the way of your true goals. Practice saying no. I repeat. Practice saying no. Sometimes, opportunities seem like they’re too good to pass up, but in reality, they can soak up your valuable time and keep you from actually doing what you want to do. Set boundaries and stick to your game plan.
Conclusion: Self-care routine
Self-care is all about taking care of your mental, emotional, and physical health. Stretch your body, meditate, or do something that helps you stay balanced. Share your highs and lows in your journal. Disconnect if you need a break and invest in leveling up your skills.
What are your favorite self-care Sunday ideas? Let us know in the comments.
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So many brilliant ideas…and it shows there’s so many ways to show self care than just the obvious!
Ihave been reading a lot on how having a gratitude journal is super important. After reading this I’m definetly getting one for myself.
Omg this post is so helpful, I needed this. The past year has been tough and I really resonated with the idea of starting to plan your next vacation. It’s a good reminder that these tough times will end, sooner or later. Thank you for sharing x
Hi Anika,
Hang in there. It’s been a challenging year for everyone. I’m so glad you found these self-care Sunday tips helpful. We’re always thinking about our next trip, even if it is in 2021.
I loved going to spas but with the lockdown it’s been difficult. So I make sure to take a day in the week and pamper myself. It’s honestly so important, great tips!
Hi Bibi, If you can’t go to the spa, might as well bring the spa to your home. Thanks for your feedback on these self-care Sunday ideas.
Meal prepping is one of the best self care activities I do for myself on Sunday. I’ve been slacking on it, thanks for this reminder to get back at it. When I eat better, I have energy for other things! Great ideas!
Hi Samantha, there is no doubt about it, meal prepping takes time. But once you get in the habit, it will set you up for a successful week! Enjoy your week. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
– Alex