8 tips for self-care: I wish it were self-care Sunday

Sometimes we are so busy with our daily hustle that Sunday meets Monday, and we tend to forget our self-care routines. An easy way to remember a self-care routine is to dedicate one single day of a week to fit it into your life. This is the start of self-care Sunday. 

Why Choose A Self-Care Routine on Sunday?

Sunday is the start of the week and a day of rest for many of us. It’s the perfect day to dedicate solely to yourself.  Forget chasing after the kids, the grumpy husband or the laundry. Self-care Sunday is all about you choosing a day to unwind from your weekly activities. It is a time to reflect and plan for the week ahead. By dedicating one day out of the whole week to your self-care, you are able to take advantage of the downtime. Also, you will improve your self-esteem. Let’s work on a quick routine

Setting Up Your Weekly Self-Care Routine

First, carve out time in your schedule for self-care Sunday. Don’t compromise your time with extra chores or rushing to get things done for Monday. Dedicate this time for you. Focus on your self-care on Sundays, whether that means an hour during the day, or changing the entire routine for the whole day. 

Think of self-care Sunday like a reset day. By resetting the button on your computer, you can reboot your life.  You not only get your planning done for the week, but you give yourself some time to relax and unwind. Your body rests and your mind grows in creativity with self-care. Remember our morning routine and how daydreaming helped us think of what we really wanted to accomplish. Downtime strengthens your imagination. It becomes your creative time.  

How is Self-Care Sunday Different from Ordinary Daily Self-Care?

There is no difference other than the day. In fact, you can probably carry out this routine on a Wednesday if you had the whole day off.  My work doesn’t allow that luxury. I chose Sunday because it is easy to remember and reminds me of the song by the Bangles. 

“I wish it were Sunday since 
 that is my fun day. My I don't want to run day.”

You still want to choose activities that help you to relax and that promote your overall wellness. Don’t feel pressured to cram all your self-care routines before or after work. 

Think About Your Current Sunday Routine

In order to turn Sunday into your weekly self-care day, you need to consider your schedule. This self-reflection helps you determine if these are things that can only be done on Sundays. Maybe if you move these tasks to another day you give more time to yourself.

Make a list of all you do every Sunday first. Then look at your list, and discard anything that isn’t really necessary or might no longer be serving you. With what is left, determine if any of those activities can be moved to Saturday. This is the trick to establishing a self-care Sunday.  

For instance, if you do a lot of cleaning and chores on Sundays, free some of your time on another day. Dividing tasks and running daily quick 5-minute room pick-ups works great. In this way, you will finish your daily cleaning in no time to free your Sunday.

Just because you have committed time to your self-care routine, doesn’t mean it becomes a recurrent boring task. For example, you might decide to practice belly dancing with your girlfriends one week or go on a solitary walk another week. We strive on variety.

Sometimes, what you choose as your self-care activity changes because of illness or a change in weather. Continue to make adjustments based on your schedule. Revisit what you are doing for self-care often. As your needs change, so will your self-care and what is actually going to benefit you the most. Remember that what works best for you is going to be an activity that helps you feel relaxed and improves your mood. Choose an activity that you love to do!

Ideas for Sunday Self-Care Activities

Self-care Sunday is more about dedicating a day to yourself each week. This dedicated time is important especially if you are too busy during the week to really focus on you. Here are some activities that can be great to do on Sundays: 

1. Let yourself sleep in 

This one is the hardest for me since my body wakes up before the alarm. This is the day that I allow myself to snooze it.  If you don’t get to sleep in during the rest of the week, at the very least give yourself this time on Sundays! Your body (and mind) needs the rest. 

2. Make brunch at home

This is my friend’s Sunday routine tip. Her husband actually cooks up brunch every Sunday even if she is on a diet. Her home is like a restaurant. Sometimes, I visit her just for the crêpes and omelets. She pops open a bottle of champagne every Sunday. No wonder she is my best friend.

3. Go outdoors

 You can also enjoy more time with your kids without cell phones and video games.  Go outside and literally play! Enjoy the fresh air and exercise. Ride bicycles around your neighborhood or have a picnic at the park. Walk a new nature trail, bird watch, and take photographs.

4. Have an hour or a whole day of pampering 

You might not be able to dedicate the entire day just to self-care. So, another solution is to at least fit in some pampering time. This includes spa time.  Buy yourself a manicure set and follow a Youtube tutorial.  Unwind with a quick facial routine. I watch Dr. Dray on Youtube and her tutorials are from the drugstore. 

5. Catch up on your reading or creative projects 

This is the perfect time to pick activities you enjoy. Maybe there is a book you have been wanting to finish or play the piano. Learn to read music or a new language. 

6. Get ready for the week 

Self-care can also mean just giving yourself to meditate by doing nothing.really reset and prepare for the week ahead.

7. Volunteer your time

Looking for something more meaningful and fulfilling? You might like to volunteer somewhere as your self-care. Look into local community centers or animal shelters that are open on Sunday and see if they need any help. 

8. Join a local club 

Another social activity that helps with your self-care is joining a local club, like a book club. It will encourage you to read more. You can get together once a week with your book club to chat over tea.   I personally enjoy my camera club meet-ups.

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