Maya Angelou once wisely stated, "Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted and no solutions are searched for." This sentiment perfectly captures the essence of my Sunday reset routine - a practice I've developed to recover from the previous week's stresses and mentally prepare for the week ahead.
Why a Reset Day Matters
For most of us, weekdays are filled with chaos and demands that drain our energy. Having a dedicated reset day is essential for mental recovery and preparation. While I recognize that taking an entire day for self-care is a privilege, even carving out a few hours can make a significant difference if you're feeling overwhelmed or stressed.
On Sundays, I intentionally avoid alarms, calls, meetings, work, and other restrictions. This day is dedicated to reconnecting with myself after a week of putting my needs on the back burner.
Morning Ritual: Starting with Intention
My reset day begins with an anti-inflammatory tea that helps balance my blood sugar and reduce inflammation. I've been enjoying its benefits for weeks and plan to continue before eventually trying new recipes.
While sipping my tea, I engage in light reading through a magazine or book to gently activate my brain. I then spend quiet moments looking out the window practicing deep breathing. These periods of understimulation are crucial in our overstimulated lives - they create space to reconnect with ourselves.
Self-Care Shower Ritual
Sundays are perfect for an "everything shower" - a comprehensive self-care ritual that prepares me for the week ahead:
- Hot Oil Treatment: I mix several oils (heated by placing bottles in hot water), apply them to my scalp and roots, and massage my head to improve circulation.
- Body Care: While the oil works its magic, I do a full body massage with oil and a dry brush to enhance circulation and support lymphatic drainage. While I try to get a professional massage monthly, this weekly self-massage keeps me feeling good between appointments.
- Hair Care: After letting the oil sit for about 30 minutes, I wash my hair with a pH-balanced shampoo that repairs damage from pollution and UV rays. Finding products with the right pH level, ceramides, oils, and SPF protection has made a significant difference in maintaining healthy hair.
- Body Cleansing: Once my hair is washed and wrapped in a towel, I focus on my body. I always cleanse my body and face after washing my hair to prevent conditioner residue from causing acne.
- Exfoliation and Shaving: A weekly coffee scrub smooths my skin before shaving. With sensitive skin and minimal hair growth, shaving works better for me than waxing and lasts all week.
- Facial Care: I finish with a double cleanse of my face and thorough moisturizing.
- Hydration: I apply body oil while my skin is still slightly damp to lock in moisture for longer-lasting hydration.
Nourishment for Body and Soul
While I maintain a clean diet throughout the week, Sundays are for indulgence. My favorite comfort food is aloo parathas with a bit of ghee - a perfect example of nourishing not just the body but also the soul.
Entertainment and Creative Expression
Sunday afternoons are ideal for enjoyable, low-pressure activities:
- Relaxing Entertainment: I make time to watch a favorite show or movie - currently rewatching White Collar, one of my all-time favorites.
- Creative Self-Care: Monthly, I do my own gel manicure. I've learned to do this at home to save money on salon visits, and I've gotten better with practice. What started as nails that lasted only days now last the entire month (and yes, I apply sunscreen before using the UV lamp!).
Planning and Reflection
Setting myself up for success requires some structure:
- Weekly Planning: I use Todoist to organize my work tasks and calendar for the week ahead. As someone who works with multiple clients while creating my own content, having structure prevents anxiety - though I keep plans flexible rather than rigid.
- Workout Planning: I schedule my workouts to maintain consistency even when motivation fluctuates.
- Reflection Practice: I review the past week, noting what worked, what didn't, and what energized or drained me. This journaling practice helps declutter my mind and improves focus for the coming week.
Space Reset
A clear space contributes to a clear mind:
- Deep Cleaning: Sundays are perfect for home maintenance that doesn't happen daily - trimming plants, deep cleaning, doing laundry, and decluttering.
- Environment Organization: Our surroundings significantly impact our daily experience, so organizing my space sets the right tone for the week ahead.
Finding Joy Outside the Home
When everything is done and I find myself with free time, I head to a café with my book. This simple pleasure of enjoying coffee while reading provides a sanctuary, especially during busy periods. Reading helps me escape deadlines and work concerns, leaving me refreshed afterward.
Evening Wind-Down
Before bed, I complete my facial massage - a practice I reserve for Sundays and a couple of other days during the week. Using face wash, a gua sha tool, and my hands, I massage and de-puff my face while supporting lymphatic drainage.
Finally, I return to my book before turning in for the night, ending my reset day with calm relaxation.
Remember This
Work and responsibilities never end - this is something I constantly remind myself. Whether you've had a stressful week or feel like everything is falling apart, taking time for yourself is essential, even if it's just a few hours.
You don't need to incorporate everything from my routine, but having some form of reset practice that recharges you is vital for maintaining the energy needed to pursue your goals and dreams.
What does your reset routine look like? I'd love to hear in the comments below!
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