The Art Of The Sunday Reset

Bethany Brown

There is a fine line between promoting healthy productivity, and unnecessary pressure – a line that social media often blurs.

‘Daily routine to be the it girl’, ‘Addicted to the grind’, ‘My productive 5-9 after my 9-5’ – I’m sure we have all seen content with this, or a similar, premise. Now, these videos can, and often do, include many healthy habits such as exercise and practising mindfulness. However, the majority of these videos paint a specific image of what a “productive” adult looks like, and a busy schedule is often a large part of this image.

Although productivity is important, time to just breathe is equally paramount. Taking the time to feel grounded and secure is incredibly important for our well-being. In fact, decompressing can actually help with productivity, as we can become more level-headed and focused.

So, allow me to introduce the Sunday reset.

What is a Sunday Reset?

Stylist describes the Sunday reset as being “all about giving the mind and the body a chance to rejuvenate on the weekend, leaving you feeling fresh, rested and ready for the week to come”.

The routine usually includes tasks such as changing bed sheets, journalling, or dedicating time to a hobby. But, as the Sunday reset is about you, and your goals, you can include almost anything you like.

If it leaves you feeling refreshed, it belongs in the Sunday reset.

sundays are a time to relax, reset & refocus

— mamamoo (@thelovelyMC) March 24, 2024

Building your Sunday Reset

Instead of spending time on tasks that maximise productivity, the Sunday reset is focused on preparing you for the week ahead. Dedicated time away from the grind, if you will.

Here are a few ways you can build your Sunday Reset routine.

An Everything Shower

The ‘everything shower’ is a personal favourite of mine. Get out all your favourite products and really pamper yourself. The whole nine yards: face mask, hair mask, foot mask (masks are key), body butters, exfoliators, bubble baths – the list goes on.

You’ll be left feeling like a goddess with a bathroom that smells like the Lush store room.

The Act of Doing Nothing

The act of doing nothing is not as profound as it sounds. Instead, it can be very powerful to be engrossed in an activity just for your enjoyment, without having the pressure of a specific goal in mind.

That is what reading is for me. For some, spending an afternoon reading is a day spent “doing nothing.” But, dedicating time to your own enjoyment is far from “nothing.”

Whether it is a documentary on Netflix you have been meaning to watch, or a level on a video game you have not quite conquered, spending the day “doing nothing” can be really fulfilling.

https://twitter.com/loveinfewwords/status/1772091680876794358

Get Outdoors

As someone who mostly works from home, some weeks it dawns on me that I haven’t left my house very much.

Fresh air and sunlight – well, as much of it as you can get in the UK – can do wonders for our mental health. You could go on a run, quickly go out to grab a coffee, or just relax in your garden or local park.

Whatever your preferred pace is, a change of scenery can be as easy as opening the back door.

Declutter Your Space

When I started doing Sunday resets, a common mistake I made was feeling the need to deep clean my entire room, which unsurprisingly isn’t very relaxing at all.

Instead, spending some time making your personal space more peaceful can be a great addition to a Sunday reset. But be sure not to overwhelm yourself, even just completing one small task can make your surroundings more calming.

A bit of dusting, organising your socks, or even clearing out your computer files can help settle your mind.

Stock Check

This final idea is one I have yet to see in other Sunday reset guides.

I always seem to notice when I am completely out of a certain product, be it a cosmetic essential or key ingredient, never when I am running low. So, I try to incorporate a quick stock check into my Sunday reset. Nothing too thorough, just a quick glance at my daily necessities to see if I need to pop to Boots or the supermarket.

“the Sunday Reset offers a gentle reminder to prioritise our well-being”

But, it can be anything. You could check to see if you have tights left without holes in, or enough of your favourite tea bags for your morning cuppa.

Although not as exciting, it always helps me feel more prepared for the week ahead. It is just a nice way to avoid unexpected disappointment and stress during the week.