Rest, recharge, and revitalize yourself with the best self care routine. This post outlines a whole day of wellness and self care focused on taking care of you!
Are you wondering how to step up your self care routine game? I have laid out the best self care routine for the ultimate Sunday reset below.
Obviously, you can adjust the times for each of these activities, but these are the essential steps to take for the best self care routine. Taking a whole day to focus on self care and prioritizing your well-being can lead to monumental gains in your overall wellness.
This post is about the best self care routine for the ultimate Sunday reset.
Sunday Reset: Best Self Care Routine
8:00 a.m. Meditate and Journal
First things first, reach for a tool to help yourself get in the right headspace for a calm and productive self care day. Any self care routine should start with a mindfulness activity upon waking.
I usually meditate for around 10 minutes, using the free meditation app, Insight Timer (I tried the Calm app but it costs money and in my opinion is not worth it). Essentially, meditation assists with stress control and emotional reactivity by centering yourself.
A great alternative to meditation, or addition, is Journaling!
Journaling can help switch your mindset from one of negativity to positivity. Practicing gratitude can lead to more fulfilment, happiness, and stress reduction. Focusing on the good first thing in the morning can set us up for a day of contentment and inner peace. Basically, we are priming our brains to seek out the positive things in life and subconsciously looking for more positivity.
Focus on the good, and the good multiplies.
8:30 a.m. Movement
Next, the best self care routine cannot be complete without moving your body. Remember this is a day for self care, not for punishing your body with exercise you don’t want to do. Remember why you need to move your body, exercise improves mood, increases energy levels, and promotes better sleep.
Soft movements such as yoga, a long walk, or gentle stretches can be helpful to get your blood flowing and promote your wellness for the day.
10: 00 a.m. Bath and Face Mask
The ultimate treat to add to a self care routine is a bath.
Soaking in a bath for 20 minutes can moisturize and cleanse your skin, relieve muscle pain, and decrease stress.
Additionally, adding a facemask while you bathe is an awesome way to maximize your time. While your body soaks up the epsom salts, or bubble bath, you can cleanse your face simultaneously. I love using epsom salts to relieve my sore muscles and promote relaxation during my bath.
For more of my favorite face masks, bath salts, and other self care products check out my related post:
15 Self Care Must Haves for Women in Their 20s
11:00 a.m. Get Brunch with Friends or Family
Socializing is also an essential element to the best self care routine. Once you have taken care of your body and mind, refilling your social battery by catching up with friends can brighten your whole day and complete a well rounded self care routine.
Having a sense of community is linked to longevity and overall wellness. Carving out time with your friends is an essential practice for self care. Furthermore, discovering a new brunch place with friends is one of the simplest joys!
Find your people to share your wins with!
1:00 p.m. Wash/Change your bedsheets/Tidy up your space
The next step, once you’re home from your brunch and catching up with friends, take some time to tidy up your space and clean your surroundings. Ensuring that your environment is clean is an important element of self care.
The most important element of tidying your space is washing or changing your bedsheets. Nothing is more calming and cozy than snuggling up in freshly clean sheets washed with your favorite fabric softener.
I am truly at peace in freshly cleaned sheets and a good book!
1:30 p.m. Wear Comfy Clothes
Sometimes, the simplest acts can have the biggest impact on our overall well-being. As you create your best self care routine, think of what clothes you can wear to make you feel your best.
I buy loungewear that I think is cute, flattering, and comfy.
This is your day, make it your own. Experiment with what makes you feel confident and comfortable.
I live in this lounge set from amazon on my Sunday reset days. Oh and don’t forget a comfy pair of slippers or cozy socks.
2:00 p.m. Take a Power Nap
Obviously, a self care reset day is not complete without a quick nap. I usually set a timer for 20/30 minutes and let myself read or do a calming activity. Sometimes I won’t actually get to sleep but just resting my eyes helps me recharge my battery.
Short power naps can reduce fatigue and increase alertness. Remember, you don’t have to get your whole life in order on a self care day. Take small moments for yourself to live in the moment.
I usually do this in the afternoon when I am feeling groggy.
3:00 pm Plan out your Week Ahead
Now that you are rested and recuperated from a power nap, now is a great time to take a moment to reflect on your week ahead. There is freedom in knowing what is coming and planning accordingly for your week ahead. I plan out my workouts, meal prep, and jot down whatever outings I have for the week.
I am a huge proponent of a physical planner to write things down. When you take the time to write things down, you will have an easier time remembering them.
Give yourself the gift of time and peace of mind this week by committing to paper the meaningful activities that will make your week run smoothly.
4:00 p.m. Get into Nature
The next step to the best self care routine is getting out into nature. Whether this means taking your dog for a walk, laying out in a field, going fishing, or taking a hike, soaking up some sun can be game changing in your self care routine.
Getting out into nature can help reduce feelings of anger, increase relaxation, and relieve stress!
Another great benefit of getting out into nature is getting Vitamin D from the sun. Vitamin D is an essential nutrient needed for bone health and calcium absorption. Vitamin D always plays a major role in mood and immune support. However, it is still essential to wear sunscreen to protect against UV rays, getting some sun has some major health benefits.
I like to take my dog to different nature trails to get my daily dose of mother nature and natural serotonin boost!
6:00 p.m. Make a Homemade Meal
To embrace a truly holistic self care routine, making a homemade meal can’t be skipped! Cooking for yourself is an essential element of self nurturing.
Think of a meal that will be filling, nutrient dense, and satisfying on this restful day.
My go to’s are usually Red Curry Thai Soup or Shrimp Fajitas! Pinterest is your best friend for easy comfort meals.
PLUS leftovers are a great way to have some meal prep done for the week. Sometimes, I will double a recipe so I will have some for later in the week.
8:00 pm Read and Snuggle Up with a Dog
Next, an essential part of a self care day routine is reading and curling up in bed. I am always looking for hobbies that don’t increase my screen time or my stress level. So, reading has been amazing for me (obviously dogs are not required but recommended for ultimate coziness).
Of course you can read a book about self improvement or self care, but if you are new into the reading scene, just reading what interests you can help start this habit.
I find that if I try to read educational text too often that requires lots of self reflection and learning, I will just stop reading altogether.
Sometimes, you just need soul food when it comes to books!
I, of course, cannot recommend this book enough! Or the entire series…
If you’re looking for a book you won’t be able to sit down, A Court Of Thorns and Roses By Sarah J. Maas is a must read.
That being said, if you are in the mood to do delve deeper into your self care journey, here are some books that are a great starting point:
- The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der York M.D.
- Man Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
Come back to this self care routine anytime you feel overwhelmed or burnt out. Remember you cannot be your best self for others if you aren’t putting your needs first. I hope you have the most relaxing and loving Sunday!
This post has outline the best self care routine for a Sunday reset.
