Self Care Sunday is really a thing. Yes, it’s trending on social media and even has its own hashtag (#selfcaresunday). However, when you look beyond the hype, you realize that Self Care Sunday is a much-needed and very underutilized practice. As mentioned in a previous post, there is no right or wrong way to practice self-care. However, I believe that when you practice self-care, you intentionally choose to have a healthy relationship with yourself by caring for your body, mind, and spirit.
Why Self Care Is Important
Self Care Sunday is important because it takes us out of survival mode. We need to do more than survive. In fact, we need self care to flourish, thrive, and be at our personal best. It is not a luxury and it is not selfish. The benefits of practicing self care regularly include:
- Boosting the immune system
- Decreasing the risk of getting sick often (colds, flu, etc.)
- Increasing energy
- Relieving aches and pains
- Improving sleep quality
- Decreasing stress and anxiety
- Improving mental and physical health
- Achieving better work-life balance
And, Self Care Sunday becomes more important if you fit into one of these categories:
- Full-time stay-at-home mom raising little, awesome humans
- Executive mom kicking butt in the workplace
- Single mom
- Entrepreneur working 12-hour days to get that business off the ground or to the next level
- Full-time college student with a part-time job
- Part-time college student with a full-time job
- Teacher working two jobs to make ends meet
- Caretaker of elderly parents or sick family member
- Grandmother babysitting grandchildren more often than you would like
- Write your own . . .
Why Sunday?
Well, before I proceed, I want to emphasize that self-care should be a way of life. And, it should be practiced every day. After all, this blog is focused on self care and wellness. So, why an emphasis on Sunday rather than another day of the week? Well, Sunday is usually a slow day when we wind down and spend time with family. So, it makes sense that you should take advantage of the extra time and add a little more to your everyday self-care routine. Self-care means different things to different people. However, as mentioned a previous post, self-care is the key to being the best version of you and living your best life.
30 Minutes or Less Self Care Sunday Ideas
- Exfoliate your hands and feet with a sugar or salt scrub
- Relieve tired feet with a foot massage machine
- Soak feet in Epsom salts and favorite essential oil
- Take a nap
- Sip a cup of tea and look out the window
- Write in your journal
- Steam your face
- Refresh your eyes with a cool eye mask
- Apply a face mask
- Do an elaborate facial
- Dry brush your body to exfoliate and stimulate lymphatic drainage
- Shave or clean up bikini area
- Stretch
- Go to the sauna or steam room at your gym
- Practice Kegel or pelvic floor exercises
- Firm your thighs and butt
- Do a chair barre workout
- Engage your core with a quick Pilates workout
- Ease back pain with an ice pack
- Read a book chapter or two
- Relax and color in your favorite adult coloring book
- Make a healthy green smoothie
- Eat a hearty breakfast
- Practice deep breathing
- Meditate
- Pray
45 Minutes to 1 Hour Self Care Sunday Ideas
- Set goals for the week
- Plan healthy meals for the week
- Deep condition hair
- Do a manicure or pedicure
- Go for a walk
- Do a yoga routine
- Go for a jog
- Bike around the neighborhood
- Walk the dog
- Take a long nap
- Light a candle and soak in the bathtub
- Relax and listen to music
- Call a friend for a long talk
2-3 Hours Sunday Self Care Ideas
- Attend a worship service
- Go to brunch with a friend
- Create a music playlist
- Watch a movie
- Watch a few how-to videos
- Work on a craft or hobby
- Go for a long drive
- Visit a friend
- Go to the gym for a long workout
- Go to the farmers’ market
- Check out a flea market
- Cook a nice meal
- Go out for dinner
- Watch a game on TV
- Work on a puzzle
- Play video games
- Visit a park
- Go for a hike
- Check out a museum exhibit
- Read a few chapters of a book
- Turn off your phone
- Have great sex
4-6 Hours Self Care Sunday Ideas
- Meal prep two meals for the week
- Work on a hobby or craft
- Binge watch movies
- Read for a few hours
- Check out the local attractions
- Visit friends or family in a nearby city
- Go to the beach
- Take a hike
- Go kayaking or canoeing
- Invite friends for a potluck lunch or dinner
- Go on a picnic with friends
- Do a family fun day
My Ideal Self Care Sunday Activities
So, what does my ideal Self Care Sunday activities look like? Well, they usually focus on nourishing my soul, refocusing my mind, and recharging my body.
Nourish My Soul
- Pray and meditate
- Journal
- Listen to inspiring podcast
- Watch inspiring videos
- Catch up with friends and family
Refocus My Mind
- Reflect on the past week
- Journal
- Plan calendar and to-do list for the week ahead
- Listen to music
- Read at bedtime
- Create a new essential oil blend for the aromatherapy diffuser
- Color in an adult coloring book
- Play mancala (oware) game
- Work on a puzzle
- Turn off phone for a few hours
- Take a break from social media
Recharge My Body
- Go to the gym for an extra long workout
- Stretch
- Go to bed early
- Do an elaborate facial
- Eat healthy meals
Now, It’s Your Turn
Well, I hope that you will incorporate a few of these Self-Care Sunday ideas to increase your productivity for the upcoming week. I think you will also enjoy the blog posts on 9 Sunday habits for a more productive week, fierce quotes on being successful, and 3 top priorities for work-life balance.
What are some of your Self-Care Sunday habits?
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Keep It Tight Sisters.
Eat. Move. Breathe.
