Do you need to feel more relaxed before your work week begins?
How about restoring your energy and recharging yourself before Monday rolls in?
Well, if your answer is “yes”, then this self-care guide is for you.
If you haven’t already enjoyed self care Sundays, you’re doing Sundays wrong! Here are my favorite self care Sunday ideas that you can implement into your schedule when the weekend rolls around next!
I don’t know about your but Sundays are my favorite day of the week. Sunday is my self care day. The only day when I can have my full self-care break, practice self love and self care.
Lately I’m obsessed with all things self-care.
But I also know that at times it can be pretty tough to keep up with self-care when life is throwing you around.
Well, no more excuses. This article will teach you everything you need to know about making your own self-care Sunday, and it’ll do it without filler, fluff, and long-winded details that don’t really matter.
So let’s dive in, shall we?
What Does Self Care Mean? The truth about self care (and why you SHOULD care)
Self care is something that wasn’t on my radar for years. I’ve always been busy working, studying, going out with friends.
I didn’t do simple things just for myself – like drinking water or moving more my body. I was so focused on being busy that I’ve forgot about simple things like asking for help, or saying no to things that I knew would push me over the edge.
Well, one day my life changed. It didn’t happen overnight, don’t get me wrong.
Until I was recovering from my endometriosis surgery, I had never really paid attention to the concept of self care. I had heard the term once or twice and it definitely seemed like the newest buzzword for mental health.
I was lying in the hospital bed, barely able to move my body and I was thinking about my life. That’s the first time I’ve realized that I’m broken, my body is broken, I have severe stage of endometriosis and I have to live with this disease for my entire life.
That moment I had no idea what self care really means and why it’s important.
But I knew that I need to change something.
During my recovery, I was lucky to stay at home for six months. I found some amazing books that really helped me realize what self care is and why its important for me especially to keep me positive and healthy enough to fight with endometriosis.
If you’re busy and don’t have time to plan your self-care Sunday, check out these 5-minutes self-care ideas!
In the simplest of terms, self care is anything that you do with the intention to take care of your physical, mental, and emotional health.
Yes.
You can see that there are four types of self care:
- physical
- emotional
- mental
- spiritual
It can include physical activities, such as exercise, dance, and yoga, as well as relaxing outlets, such as reading or taking a warm bath.
A study found that medical students who practiced self-care reported less stress and a higher quality of life.
1. Treat yourself like someone you love!
2. Improve your self-talk:
If you don’t know where to start with improving your self-talk, try repeating one of these positive affirmations to yourself when you are feeling discouraged or down:
“I am strong and capable.”
“My hard work will pay off.”
3. Always take care of your body!
4. Think more about your mental health!
True self care is not all bubble baths and manicures. It’s a way to improve or sustain your mental health that has three parts – physical, mental and emotional self care. All these three parts of self care are equally important.
This is where self care Sunday comes in!
Why is Self Care Important?
Self care is an important activity to do every day.
Self care encourages you to maintain a healthy relationship with yourself so that you can transmit the good feeling to others.
Taking time out to care for yourself can remind you that you and your needs are important.
By practising self care, you give yourself a chance to step away and breathe, thus avoiding burnout.
From personal experience, I know that when I feel down (or like shit about myself), I tend to be more stressed and irritable. I’ve had to work hard to balance my busy daily schedule with my self care routine.
It’s called balance!
This is where self care comes in.
Why don’t you create your own self care kit?
A self care kit is simply a collection of items that make you feel good. Make you smile, make you happy. These simple items support your emotional health by nourishing you, uplifting you, and sometimes bringing you back from the brink.
I have put together a list of 21 things of my self care kit so you can be inspired to make your own!
Having a good self care Sunday routine will help you prepare for the week ahead.
HERE ARE A FEW WAYS SELF CARE CAN HELP YOU:
- more productivity
- more energy
- having a healthy lifestyle
- better work-life balance
- reducing stress
Self care helps us find balance in life and work, especially when things seem like they’re getting out of control.
Why You Should Practice Self-Care Sunday?
Practising self care Sunday will help you to recharge for the week.
Taking a couple of hours just for yourself will improve your mental and physical health.
Self care Sunday is essential in creating the life you want and love. Make you smile, make you happy. These simple self care Sunday ideas support your emotional health by nourishing you, uplifting you, and sometimes bringing you back from the brink.
And here is why you need a self care Sunday…
You need to time for yourself to relax and unwind.
Just think of the little things that make you happy.
You need those little things just to soothe your soul and bring much needed comfort.
What is a Good Self Care Routine?
Making your first coffee (or your favorite cup of tea) is a routine.
Routines are for everyone.
No matter what kind of person you are (organized, messy, bullet-journaling, etc.) you need a self care routine.
There is really no right or wrong way to practice self care.
We are all different.
Routine is there to comprehend the chaos and to allow your mental being to take a couple of breaths.
Having a routine means you know what to expect, you know what you’ll be doing and why you’ll be doing it.
There aren’t a lot of rules on how to practice Self Care. And the reason is; your Self Care is unique to you.
Routines like this self-care Sunday is a very beneficial one because it helps you create positive habits. Habits you’ll be grateful for having, at any stage of life.
How to Create Your Own Self-Care Sunday Routine?
Creating a simple self care routine is a great first step in helping to replenish your energy and improve your mood and your life.
When you don’t take care of your mind and body, it’s tough to show up and perform to your full potential.
Creating a routine where you practice Self Care can help decrease anxiety, reduce stress, and increase productivity.
The easy part here is we are already dedicating Sunday for self care. How and when you follow through on self care is up to you.
You can dedicate a whole day to self care.
But let’s be realistic.
We are all different and maybe you don’t have so much time, so, here are a few easier ways you can allocate time for self care:
1. Start your day with an easy going morning self care routine
2. Make a mini self care break (up to an hour)
3. Take 2-3 hours off for morning self care
4. Full morning or afternoon of self care (3 – 5 hours)
Let’s check out these self-care Sunday ideas below, so you can start making self-care Sunday a thing that sticks!
My Ideal Self Care Sunday Routine
The perfect self care Sunday for myself is to make sure I get some quality time outside – ideally in the countryside if possible.
This is the time I need to take to look after myself, so on a Self care Sunday or a self-care day, I do something that I love and or something that will relax me.
If I’m feeling stressed, sad, or down, a self-care day can be a day that I do whatever it takes to uplift myself and make myself feel great.
This day is ALL ABOUT ME!
This day should be ALL ABOUT YOU!
If you want to spend the day journalling to better connect with yourself, then you will find my self-love journal prompts perfect for you.
If you want to have a great spa day at home, just do it!
If you want to read your favorite book or watch a movie do it!
37 Self Care Sunday Ideas for You to Try
Every single thing that makes you happy and soothes your soul.
Basically, everything that gives you comfort.
I have put together a list of 37 self care Sunday ideas so you can be inspired and start your self care journey!
Start your day with an easy going morning self care routine
- Wake up slowly
- Make up your bed
- Make a cup of your favorite tea
- Meditate
- Do a couple of morning stretches
- Write down 3 things you want to get down that day
- Prepare a healthy, soul-charging, and energizing breakfast like these vegan banana pancakes
- Listen to some feel-good music and have a dance session in your kitchen
Take a mini self care break (30 min to an hour)
- Make a mask you can eat
I recommend making my DIY Matcha and Honey mask that balances skin tone, gets rid of dark spots, clears up acne, reduces fine lines, and hydrates skin.. All at the same time. Get the recipe here.
- Have a bath with all the goodies – candles, music, bath salts, essential oils
- Massage your body
- Get a manicure
- Go out for a walk
- Bake something you love – these muffins are my fave
- Listen to a podcast that inspires you
- Practice some yoga
- Make a yummy dish and enjoy
Take 2-3 hours off for morning self care
- Brunch with a friend
- Take a morning stroll with your partner, friends, or dog
- Deep clean something
- Follow a tutorial
- Go for swimming
- Watch a documentary
- Play a game
- Rearrange your bedroom
- Take a Sunday class (something you’ve always wanted to do, but never made time for) – Italian cooking, belly dancing, painting, yoga – the list goes on!
Full Morning or afternoon of self care
- Be a tourist in your city
- Invite friends for brunch or dinner and cook something delicious
- Go on a picnic
- Go to an art gallery or a museum
- Surprise your family or parents
- Meal prep your dishes for the week ahead
- Relax on the beach or go for a big walk outside
- Get lost in the pages of a book
- Make a plan for the week ahead
- Clean out an area of your house
- Do a full day or a mini digital detox
Good self care Sunday routine can help cater the majority of emotions you feel.
The best thing about self care Sunday is that it’s made by you and for you. It’s essential to helping you remain balanced in life as you routinely engage in self-care.
Therefore you will avoid anxiety, depression, stress, bad mental health downhills, because you’ll be ready to take a proper self care for your own needs.
I hope this list of self care activities has given you a fair sense of what you can include in your next self care Sunday. Use this list of self care Sunday ideas to create your personal Sunday routine, and I hope it gives you a sense of deep fulfillment!
I’d love to hear from you – do you have any more ideas to add to this list, and what does your perfect self care Sunday look like?
Let me know in the comments below!
Xo,
Lora