20+ Self-Care Sunday Ideas to Rest and Recharge for the Week

Sundays are an excellent day to rest and recharge, and self-care activities can help you do this. In this article, we’ll share self-care Sunday ideas to help you reset and give your mind and body the love they deserve for a great week ahead.

Although warm baths and shopping sprees are popular self-care activities, there are many ways to show yourself care. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIH), self-care is taking time to do things that help you improve your mental and physical health. Self-care is different for everyone, and what’s most important is doing practices you enjoy. 

Below, we’ll discuss various Sunday routines and activities with something for everyone.

What is a self-care Sunday?

A self-care Sunday is intentionally setting time aside to do activities you enjoy that feel good for you. It can be an entire day, a couple of hours, or a few minutes to unwind and recharge. The key to effective self-care is choosing practices that don’t require much effort and offer a relaxing or enjoyable experience.

Sunday Self-Care Ideas

There are many ways to practice self-care, with focus on various factors, including your physical, emotional, and social well-being. Below, we’ll share useful ideas for resting to clear your mind and feel good for the coming week.

1. Enjoy your morning coffee or tea

During a hectic workweek, how often do you get to fully enjoy your morning cup of coffee or tea? Consider having a slow start to your Sunday while sipping your coffee or tea. You can sit outside or cuddle up on the couch while taking time to be in the moment with your beverage and relaxing.

2. Go for a walk

It’s challenging for many people to find time for a relaxing walk during a busy week. Not only can this help with your emotional well-being, but it’s also good for your physical health.

You might start a tradition of walking around your neighborhood or the park every Sunday. Once this becomes a part of your self-care Sunday routine, you’ll likely start looking forward to it when the weekend comes.

3. Spend time with friends or family

It can be challenging to prioritize socialization during the week. However, social connections are linked to long-term happiness and well-being. It’s best to socialize with those you enjoy being around to fully reap the benefits of self-care.

Meeting up for brunch or coffee or having a game night are fun, simple ways to spend time with friends or family.  

4. Have a phone call date with someone you love

It’s easy to get busy and for a lot of time to pass before catching up with a long-lost friend or family member. Use your self-care Sunday to catch up with someone you love. 

Incorporating regular Sunday phone dates into your schedule lets you stay in touch with the people you care about and enjoy talking to. Phone calls are also the ideal way to practice socialization on days you don’t want to get out and prefer staying cozy at home.

5. Treat yourself to a spa day (or hour)

There are many spa day benefits, including reduced stress and anxiety, pain relief, and better sleep. Sundays are the perfect day to indulge in these physical and mental health benefits and treat yourself to a relaxing spa day.

Book an appointment at your local spa or create a DIY spa day. It’s easy to create a self-care spa day at home with these Oakwell Cosmetics products delivered to your front door: 

• Herbal Beer Bath Tea - a rejuvenating beer bath tea made with an uplifting blend of hops, malted barley, and herbs
• Calming Bath Salts - a soothing blend of Epsom and sea salt, herbs, and essential oils
• Relaxing Cedarwood & Amber Candle - a 100% soy wax candle that creates a cozy, happy atmosphere
• Waffle Bath Robe - a luxurious, lightweight bathrobe with an adjustable belt for one-size-fits-most

6. Spend time on a hobby

How often do you spend time on hobbies? As our to-do lists pile up, we rarely make time for activities just for fun, even though spending time on hobbies has many benefits. 

According to Jaime L. Kurtz, Ph.D., hobbies can help you:

• Practice mindfulness as you participate in “active leisure”
• Foster new social connections (if it’s a shared hobby)
• Have a more interesting life, helping you feel more inspired and fulfilled
• Handle stress and give you something fun to focus on

A hobby can be any leisure activity you enjoy, like gardening, baking, organizing, or playing music.

7. Cook a new recipe

Not only can cooking be a great hobby, but creating a nutritious recipe can support your physical health. Whether you want to make a healthy meal or a delicious sweet treat, cooking can be an enjoyable Sunday self-care activity.

8. Plan your week ahead

Having a plan for your week can help your routine run smoothly, offer motivation, and reduce stress. If you like to plan and create to-do lists, set aside a few minutes every Sunday for this. You might also find that identifying your priorities and having a weekly plan frees up time during the week for more self-care practices.

9. Reorganize

Like planning your upcoming week, reorganizing can help you feel refreshed as you start a new week. Reorganizing shouldn’t feel like a dreaded task for Sunday self-care, so this activity is best for those who enjoy it. You might reorganize your workspace, your bedroom, or your car.

10. Write a gratitude list

Many studies show how impactful gratitude can be for your mental and physical well-being. One study found that those who write about gratitude are more optimistic and feel better than those who focus on irritations. 

While a daily gratitude list is ideal, having it become a Sunday routine is a refreshing way to start the week. You might make an activity of it on Sunday, while on other days of the week, you discuss gratitude with your family at dinner or recognize thankful moments as they come.

11. Appreciate quiet time

We don’t often have the time or space to be alone and quiet. If we do, it’s typically spent rushing through a task or getting to the next priority.

Use a few minutes or even longer to enjoy peace and quiet alone. This can be resting and potentially taking a nap. You might also tie this into other Sunday self-care ideas, like walking or writing your gratitude list. Designated quiet time can help you clear your mind, reset, and feel calm.

12. Watch a movie

If you’re craving a day of relaxing in pajamas with your favorite blanket and a good movie, take advantage of your day off and do it. Weekends often turn into feeling like we need to complete chores or other productive tasks. However, relaxing while watching a movie can also be constructive if it helps you rest your mind and body.

13. Create or add to your bucket list

If you enjoy adventure or making plans, you might appreciate creating or adding to your bucket list. A bucket list is especially nice to have if you’re in a busy phase of life. It can give you activities to look forward to and start planning for. A bucket list also allows you to reflect on your goals and find motivation to do things that inspire you.

14. Clean out and donate

A cluttered home can be overwhelming and get in the way of productivity. If you enjoy cleaning, consider spending one Sunday a month cleaning out and donating. Not only does this allow you to declutter, but donating items to those in need can feel incredibly rewarding.

15. Be a tourist in your own city

Use your Sunday to do and see things in your city you don’t usually have time or energy for. What sites and activities are popular for visitors that you haven’t gotten to appreciate recently or ever? Make a list of what you want to experience in your city and use your Sundays to check it off.

16. Take a day trip away from home

You may prefer exploring totally new places. Plan a Sunday to take a day trip away from home. This is ideal if you like traveling but don’t have time or the budget for a longer vacation. 

Traveling can be a valuable form of self-care because it’s enjoyable, lets you separate from daily stressors, and helps you create happy memories.

17. Take a self-care shower

It’s common to hurry through our daily showers as we’re rushing to get to work or tend to other priorities. Take time on Sundays for a slow shower that can leave you feeling calm and refreshed.

Make the most of your self-care shower with these nourishing Oakwell Cosmetics items:

• Beer Shampoo - Choose from a strengthening or moisturizing shampoo with a delicate beer blend, essential oils, and botanical extracts
• Beer Conditioner - Pair your shampoo with a creamy strengthening or moisturizing conditioner 
• Beer Body Wash - Cleanse with a nourishing body wash made with a purifying blend of botanical extracts and beneficial beer ingredients
• Beer Body Soap - Choose a gentle beer-infused body soap that cleanses and hydrates the skin
• Waffle Bath Towel - Get cozy after your shower with a quick-dry, super soft, 100% natural cotton towel

19. Volunteer in your community

If you enjoy giving back, consider volunteering in your community. Not only is volunteering gratifying, but research shows it can enhance mental and physical health. Volunteering can improve depression, lower blood pressure, and even increase lifespan.

There are many ways to volunteer, whether in a structured setting or something more self-guided. Ideas include volunteering at your church, a local food bank, or an animal shelter. Since self-care should be pleasant, choose a volunteer activity you like doing.

20. Spend time away from your phone

It can be challenging to get away from our phones when we have emails, text messages, and phone calls to manage. Sundays can be a good day to designate an hour or two off your phone – even more time is better.

Not only can getting off your phone clear your mind and help you relax, but it also frees up time for you to spend on your self-care Sunday routine.

21. Order your favorite takeout

If you usually cook meals at home but have a favorite takeout spot, treat yourself for Sunday self-care. This is a great way to care for yourself because it requires little preparation or cleanup, and you can enjoy your takeout while relaxing or spending time with family or friends.

22. Practice mindfulness meditation

During mindfulness meditation, you’re actively slowing down and calming your mind and body. Practicing mindfulness has many benefits, including reduced negative thoughts and rumination, stress, and emotional reactivity. It also helps improve your memory, focus, and relationships.

Many medical professionals recommend practicing mindfulness daily. However, incorporating it into your Sunday routine can be an excellent way to introduce yourself to it.

You can practice mindfulness meditation with a guided practice on apps like Calm or with a yoga practice. 

23. Go to bed early

Good sleep hygiene is necessary for self-care, and going to bed at a reasonable time is one of the best ways to care for your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. 

Set the tone for a relaxing end to your weekend by unwinding half an hour before bed and creating a dark, cool, and clean space to sleep.

Self-Care Sunday: Conclusion 

Self-care activities should be easy and enjoyable to partake in. We hope these self-care Sunday ideas inspire you to rest and recharge for future weeks.