A Sweet Sunday: 10 Ideas for a Relaxing, Enjoyable Day
The weekend is coming to an end, and you want to wrap up your Sunday on a sweet note. After the rush of errands, chores, and social commitments, a lazy, restorative Sunday is heavenly. From comforting morning routines to small weekend luxuries, here are 10 ideas for a sweet, soothing Sunday to reset and recharge.
1. Sleep In and Snooze
Let’s start with the most delicious part of a Sunday—sleeping in! Ditch the alarm clock and sleep as long as your body needs. Allow your mind to transition from sleep to wakefulness slowly, without any jarring sounds yanking you out of dreamland. Snoozing longer helps recharge your batteries and sets a leisurely tone for the day ahead.
If you have kids or pets waking you up early, try negotiating with family to handle their morning routine. Compromise that you’ll take the afternoon kid shift if your partner handles the morning. On my sweet Sundays, I sleep until 9 or 10am, wake gently with some light stretches in bed, then lounge under the covers checking social media and reading news to ease into the day. Those blissful morning hours of unstructured time are so restorative.
2. Whip Up a Lazy Breakfast
Once you’re up, avoid the temptation to rush around. Instead, make time for a cozy, leisurely breakfast to ground yourself in the day. Try your hand at pancakes, waffles, crepes, or French toast if you’re craving something sweet. Opt for savory comfort foods like a frittata, quiche, smoked salmon and cream cheese bagels, or avocado toast. Savor your food without multi-tasking. Read the paper, catch up on social media, chat with your partner, or just be present. The dishes can wait.
3. Get Moving at Your Own Pace
Schedule movement in a way that energizes rather than depletes you. Trying a restorative yoga flow to open up tight muscles. Head out for an easy hike or walk around your neighborhood. Ride a bike, hit up a yoga class with a friend, or follow along with an online workout. But don’t push yourself. The goal is to get your blood flowing and connect with your body, not train for a marathon. Listening to your body’s signals, move in ways that make you feel good.
4. Pencil In Me Time
Carve out time just for you on this day of rest. Curl up somewhere comfy and dive into that page-turner you’ve been trying to read. Work on a craft project you find meditative. Take an unrushed bubble bath. Try your hand at journaling. Or simply relax with your favorite music or podcast. Give yourself an hour or two to nourish your inner life. Shut out distractions and obligations to show up for yourself. You’ll be amazed at how restored you feel.
5. Get Outside
Sync up with nature’s soothing rhythms by spending time outdoors. If weather permits, lounge in your backyard with a good book and soak up the sun. Get grounded with some gardening or pull weeds while listening to music. Go for a meditative walk through the park or woods. Savor the fresh air and vitamin D. Bring a light picnic or lounge chair and post up by the lake or beach. Moving mindfully through nature reduces stress.
6. Pamper Yourself
Why not give yourself some TLC with a spa-like self-care ritual? Draw a bath with Epsom salts and essential oils for a comforting soak. Slather on a hydrating face mask and give yourself a mini facial massage. Try your hand at a mani-pedi or experiment with nail art. Brush out tangles and treat your hair to a deep conditioning. Light candles and play relaxing music to set the mood. Even small acts of self-nurturing go a long way.
7. Cook or Bake Something Fun
There’s something immensely soothing about cooking and baking. Tap into this creative outlet on a tranquil Sunday. Bread making satisfies something deep and primal. Knead dough to work out tension, then bask in that just-baked aroma once it comes out of the oven. Follow a recipe you’ve been wanting to try but haven’t had the time for, like homemade mac and cheese, Coq Au Vin, or beef bourguignon. Bake a nostalgic dessert like banana bread, apple pie, or chocolate chip cookies to enjoy all week.
8. Do Low-Key Crafts or Hobbies
Engage your hands and free your mind through absorbing hobbies and crafts.Knit while listening to your favorite audiobook. Make a dent in your latest jigsaw puzzle. Get crafty with decoupage or jewelry making. Finger paint. Doodle in an adult coloring book.
Assemble a piece of furniture or tackle an art project. Find a hobby that quiets mental chatter and gets you into that state of relaxed focus and flow.
9. Unwind with Good Company
One of the joys of a rest day is quality time with loved ones. Invite people over and socialize at a slow pace. Linger over dinner with good food, candles, music, and meaningful conversation. Play classic board games or cards like Scrabble, Bananagrams, or rummy. Watch a movie or show you’ve both been wanting to see and curl up on the couch together. Exchange head, neck, hand or foot massages. Soak up the gift of shared time in whatever form reconnects you best.
10. Tidy and Declutter
As the weekend winds down, gently reintroduce responsibilities by getting organized. Tackle a manageable decluttering or cleaning project, like sorting through your closet or tidying a drawer. Throw in laundry, hand wash dishes left in the sink, or wipe down the bathroom. Make a list for the coming week. Meal prep a few lunches or other items to set yourself up for success. But don’t overschedule yourself or add anxiety. Just chip away at small tasks mindfully.
Close Out the Week Gratefully
As the relaxed Sunday vibes come to a close, take time to reflect on the good things in your life. Jot down a quick gratitude list of 5-10 gifts, big and small (a warm home, good health, loving friends). Look back with compassion at your wins for the week, however small (finished a work project, had coffee with a mentor, stuck to your workout routine). Acknowledge yourself for making it through another week. Heading into Monday from this grounded place of thankfulness shifts your mindset. Sweet dreams!
