I don’t know about you, but Sundays used to stress me out.
I’d wake up with the best intentions—maybe I’d go for a walk, clean the house, finally do that one thing I’ve been putting off all week… BUT by the end of the day? I’d be more drained than I was Friday night.
That’s when I realized something had to give.
Self Care Sunday isn’t about doing it all—it’s about giving yourself permission to do less.
To rest, reflect, and reset before Monday comes charging in.
It doesn’t have to be fancy. It doesn’t even have to take more than an hour. But I promise, giving YOURSELF something makes a difference.
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes… including you.”
Anne Lamott
You deserve more than just surviving the week. You deserve a day—even just a moment—that’s about you.
So if you’re looking for some low-pressure, feel-good ideas that don’t require a five-step skincare routine or a silent meditation retreat (unless that’s your thing 😊), I’ve got you.
Here are 30 relaxing Self Care Sunday ideas that actually feel good, make sense for real life, and help you START your week feeling like you again.
What Is a Self Care Sunday, Really?
Okay, so let’s CLEAR this up real quick—Self Care Sunday isn’t some influencer-only ritual that requires candles, crystals, and a $9 smoothie.
At its core, it’s just YOU making time to take care of yourself before the week starts again.
It could be an entire slow day at home in your comfiest sweatshirt, or just 30 minutes of peace and quiet before the Sunday chaos kicks in.
There’s no one-size-fits-all version here. It’s about choosing what you NEED most and actually letting yourself have it.
For me, sometimes it’s doing absolutely nothing with zero guilt.
Other times, it’s meal prepping, journaling, or finally folding the pile of laundry that’s been silently judging me all week (we’ve all got one).
The goal isn’t perfection—it’s permission.
✅ Permission to rest.
✅ Permission to unplug.
✅ Permission to be a human being instead of a walking to-do list.
So whatever your version looks like? It’s valid. And it counts.
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Why You Need a Self Care Sunday
Let’s be honest… you probably already KNOW you need a break.
But it’s just so easy to keep pushing through, right?
You tell yourself you’ll rest later. You’ll take that walk when things settle down. You’ll read that book when the laundry’s done.
But somehow, there’s ALWAYS something else to do—and by the time your head hits the pillow Sunday night, you’re more frazzled than refreshed.
👉 That’s exactly why a Self Care Sunday matters.
Because no one’s going to hand you the time—you’ve got to claim it.
I used to feel guilty for taking a break. Like if I wasn’t being productive 24/7, I was wasting time.
But here’s the truth: burnout doesn’t win awards. And pushing through every single week without pausing isn’t sustainable. It just leaves you running on empty.
When you actually take the time to care for yourself—really care, not just scroll on your phone for an hour—you feel it.
Your body relaxes. Your mind slows down. You breathe a little deeper. And suddenly, Monday doesn’t feel quite so awful.
So no, it’s not selfish to set aside some “me time.”
Even if you only take 20 minutes, that time is yours. You’re allowed to rest. You’re allowed to reset. And honestly? You need it more than you think.
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How to Create Your Own Self Care Sunday
So you’ve decided you want a Self Care Sunday (YES to that)—but now you’re sitting there wondering… what does that actually look like?
Good news: there’s no wrong way to do it.
This isn’t a Pinterest-perfect checklist or a morning routine that starts at 5 AM.
This is about YOU creating space that feels calm, comforting, and completely yours.
Here are a few simple ways to set it up:
1. Pick a time slot
Your whole day doesn’t have to revolve around self care.
Honestly? Even one intentional hour can make a big difference.
Maybe it’s a slow morning before the kids wake up, or a quiet evening after everyone’s gone to bed.
Just make sure it’s your time—and protect it like it’s sacred. Because it kind of is.
2. Set the mood
Sure, candles and soft music are great—but so is locking the bathroom door and enjoying five minutes of peace with your favorite drink.
Self care doesn’t have to be aesthetic to be effective. If it helps you exhale, it counts.
3. Make a “Feel-Good” menu
Before Sunday rolls around, jot down a few things that help you feel more like YOU.
Maybe it’s a face mask, a long walk, reading a few pages of a book, or finally organizing that junk drawer (satisfying, right?).
Having a few go-to ideas makes it easier to choose in the moment—especially if your brain’s already a little fried.
4. Ditch the guilt
If you struggle to relax because you “should” be doing something else… this is your permission slip to stop.
Rest is not lazy. It’s necessary.
You’re not doing nothing—you’re doing something really important: recharging your mind and body.
30 Relaxing Self Care Sunday Ideas
Because sometimes you need more than “just take a bath”.
Alright, let’s get to the GOOD stuff. I’ve gathered 30 ideas that are simple, grounding, and actually feel good in real life.
Not just the kind of stuff you see on a mood board—these are things that work even when your brain’s a little fried, your to-do list is never-ending, and you just need to breathe again.
We’ll start with the kind of self care that helps you feel better in your body—the stuff that gently says: “Hey, I’ve got you.” 💛
Physical Self Care Sunday Ideas
These are the things that make your body go: Thank you, finally.
You don’t need to do them all—just pick one or two that feel doable.
Small shifts, friend. That’s where the magic happens.
1. Sleep in
Turn off your alarm. Close the blinds. Let yourself wake up when your body is ready.
Sounds simple, but letting go of that pressure to be “productive” from the second your eyes open? That’s POWERFUL.
2. Take the most satisfying shower of your life
You know the one. Maybe it’s the full “everything shower” with the hair mask, body scrub, and fluffy towel waiting after.
Or maybe it’s just standing under hot water for five minutes, doing absolutely nothing. Either way—total reset.
3. Stretch it out
Not a full-on workout. Just some gentle movement.
Think: a few stretches in your pajamas, a quick yoga video, or rolling your shoulders while the coffee brews.
Your body will thank you all day long.
4. Moisturize from head to toe
Seriously, take your time with this one.
Slather on your favorite lotion or body oil like you’re giving yourself a little love note.
Bonus points if it smells amazing.
5. Do your nails (or just clean them up)
You don’t need a whole salon setup.
A quick trim, file, or fresh coat of polish can feel like a tiny little act of control and care when life’s been messy.
6. Drink water before your coffee
Yes, I know. This one’s hard. But even one glass before your caffeine hit can make a difference.
It’s the little things.
7. Make one nourishing meal (just for you)
Not for your kids. Not for your partner. Just you.
Something warm, satisfying, and easy. Bonus points if you sit down while you eat it.
8. Take a slow walk
No podcast. No pressure. Just get outside and move your body at whatever pace feels good.
Look around. Breathe deep. Let it be slow on purpose.
Emotional Self Care Sunday Ideas
These are the things that help you feel a little more grounded, a little more seen, and a lot more like YOURSELF.
Life gets noisy—this is your gentle reminder to slow it down and check in with what’s going on inside.
9. Do a quick digital detox
Put your phone down. Close your laptop. Even just for 30 minutes.
Give your brain a break from all the buzzing and scrolling—it’s wild how refreshing it feels to just be.
10. Write down three things you’re grateful for
Sounds small, but it shifts everything. It doesn’t have to be deep—think: “my bed,” “coffee,” “a quiet house for 5 minutes.”
Gratitude reminds your brain to look for the good, even on hard days.
11. Say something kind to yourself (out loud)
Yes, out loud. “I’m doing the best I can.” “I don’t have to have it all together.” It might feel awkward, but it works.
You hear yourself differently when you speak kindness into the room.
12. Start a journal page—no pressure, just write
No need for perfect sentences. Just brain dump your thoughts.
What’s stressing you out? What’s been going well? What do you need more of?
Let it all spill out. So freeing!
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13. Make a vision board (or update the one you forgot about)
Scroll Pinterest, cut up old magazines, or use Canva—whatever works.
Focus on what you want MORE of in life: joy, rest, creativity, connection.
Let your future self peek through.
14. Cry if you need to (and don’t apologize for it)
Sometimes self care looks like letting it out. Close the door, grab a soft blanket, and just cry if it’s been building.
You don’t need a reason. You don’t need to explain. Just let it go.
15. Read something that makes you feel understood
A favorite book, a comforting blog post, even a quote thread that hits just right.
Finding words that speak to where you’re at is a quiet form of healing.
16. Declutter a little corner of your space
Not a full deep clean. Just one drawer. One surface. One room.
There’s something about clearing physical space that clears your mental space, too. (I swear it’s magic.)
17. Spend time with a hobby that feels just for you
Not for work, not for money, not for anyone else’s approval.
Just something that makes you lose track of time and feel like you. Coloring, baking, knitting, dancing—it all counts.
Social Self Care Sunday Ideas
Even if you’re more of an introvert (hi, same), staying connected matters.
Sometimes self care means reaching out—even just a little bit—so you don’t feel like you’re going through everything alone.
These ideas are simple, low-effort, and don’t require being “on” for hours. Just tiny ways to feel connected again.
18. Text someone you’ve been meaning to check in on
Doesn’t have to be a whole paragraph. A quick “Hey, I thought of you today. Hope you’re doing okay.”
That’s it. Feels good for you AND them.
19. Schedule a lunch or coffee date (even if it’s weeks away)
It doesn’t have to be today. But making plans gives you both something to look forward to—and helps you actually see the people you care about, not just think about them.
20. Call your mom, your sibling, or a friend
A quick 5–10 minute chat. No big updates needed.
Just hearing a familiar voice can make a rough week feel lighter.
21. Leave a funny voice memo
Seriously underrated. Record a little message—something silly, something random, even just a “miss you.”
It feels way more personal than a text, and people love it.
22. Write a “thank you” note
Grab a sticky note or the back of an old receipt and write something short and kind.
Leave it for your partner, your roommate, your kid’s lunchbox—whoever needs it.
23. Say yes to something low-key
If a friend invites you out for a walk or a quick coffee, and your energy allows it—go.
You don’t have to dress up or bring a gift. Just showing up counts.
24. Unfollow or mute people who drain you
This one’s important. Social self care also means protecting your space.
If someone’s content makes you feel anxious, annoyed, or less-than—it’s okay to take a break.
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Spiritual Self Care Sunday Ideas
Think of spiritual self care as anything that helps you feel calm, connected, and a little more YOU again.
It’s about tuning out the noise and tuning back into whatever makes you feel grounded—your breath, nature, music, your faith, or just a few uninterrupted moments of stillness.
25. Sit outside in silence for five minutes
No phone. No podcast. Just sit. Listen to the birds, feel the sun (or the breeze), and let yourself just be.
It sounds so small—but it really does reset your whole energy.
26. Take three deep breaths with your hand on your chest
Yep, just three. Close your eyes, inhale deeply, exhale slowly. You might be surprised how much tension you’ve been holding without even noticing.
27. Listen to music that moves you
Not background noise. Like, REALLY listen.
Put on a song that hits you in the chest or makes you smile, and let it play all the way through.
No multitasking. Just let it wash over you.
28. Journal about what’s been weighing on your heart
If something’s been nagging at you—stress, uncertainty, decisions—try writing it out.
You don’t need a solution. Just naming it can bring some peace.
29. Go for a walk and notice five beautiful things
A flower blooming. A kid’s chalk drawing. The way sunlight hits a window.
This is a little mindfulness trick that brings you back to the present without trying too hard.
30. Light a candle and set an intention for the week
Doesn’t need to be deep. Something like, “I want to feel less rushed this week,” or “I’ll try to be kinder to myself.”
Say it out loud if you want. Then blow out the candle when you’re done.
For You
If no one’s told you this lately: you don’t have to EARN rest.
You’re allowed to slow down. You’re allowed to say, “I need a minute.” You’re allowed to take up space just to take care of yourself.
Self Care Sunday isn’t about doing something fancy or checking off a list.
It’s about tuning in to what YOU need—and giving yourself that little bit of attention you so freely give to everyone else.
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So if all you do today is light a candle and breathe for sixty seconds, that’s enough.
If you manage to stretch, journal, or take a walk? Even better.
But if you just sat here, read this, and let your body relax for a minute? That counts too.
You deserve rest. You deserve peace. And you deserve to feel like yourself again—without guilt, without pressure, without having to “do it all.”
Sorry for the long post—but thank you so much for reading!
I hope at least one of these ideas helps you breathe a little deeper and treat yourself with more kindness today. You truly deserve it 💛