Self Care Sundays: Recharging body and mind for the week ahead

  • Keep your body and mind feeling fresh and ready to tackle the week by rejuvenating and partaking in some relaxing self care activities. There are multiple methods of self care such as mental, emotional, social and spiritual – this article will champion physical self care as a brilliant way to recharge while still moving around and being active.

    What is Self Care Sunday?

    It’s so important to take some time for yourself to decompress and engage in activities that will leave you feeling mindful and refreshed – that’s what Self Care Sunday is all about! Every week, whether it’s been stressful or not, make sure to look after your mental and physical wellbeing by doing self care activities of your choice.

    There isn’t a particular reason that it falls on a Sunday, but this is the most common day of the week available for people to be free to do whatever they want. If your schedule doesn’t work for Sundays, you can change it to whichever day you’re typically not busy.

    Why is Self Care Sunday important?

    Self care has many benefits to your brain and your body as well as your overall wellbeing such as:   

    Mental benefits

    • Manages and reduces stress.
    • Boosts your mood and self-esteem.
    • Improves relationships.
    • Protects against burnout.

    Physical benefits

    • Reduces health risks.
    • Better physical health.
    • Increases energy.
    • Active self care activities can aid in weight loss.

    How to have a Self Care Sunday

    If you want some ideas for what to do on Self Care Sunday, take a look through our list. We’ve focused on physical self care activities that get your body moving but should still leave you feeling relaxed and happy.

    1.       Stretch and breathe with yoga or Pilates exercises

    Stretching and exercising with yoga or Pilates can promote mindfulness as well as boost core strength and flexibility. It also improves your posture and relieves any back pain, so taking the time to engage in these exercises should leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed.  

    2.       Lift weights while watching TV.

    If you have a backlog of films and tv shows to get through, why not do a little exercise while watching? Try some gentle exercises with light weights or even no weights with our recommended easy at home workouts. The goal isn’t to push yourself too much, it’s simply to get moving while doing an otherwise stationary activity.  

    3.       Get outdoors, take a stroll and enjoy nature.

    Breathing in fresh air while taking a walk is the perfect self care hobby, especially in Dorset. We have scenic river walks and coastal walks, but a simple stroll around your local country park is just as worthwhile.

    4.       Play with your pets

    A play session with your pets or even a friend’s pet can put a smile on your face and increase your energy. Maybe take your dog for a slightly longer walk than usual or get a cat toy out that engages both you and your feline friend.

    5.       Clear some clutter and clean your house.

    Decluttering your living space will also declutter your mind. Doing some chores such as cleaning the house will give you nice, tidy surroundings to start off the week feeling productive and clear headed.

    6.       Take a class.

    There are classes and workshops out there for so many different things! Cooking, exercise, dance, swimming, whatever you’re interested in but haven’t found a way to get started yet, try out a class and learn alongside your peers with common interests. Workout classes or group activities can keep you motivated to stay active.

    7.       Go to a museum

    Get those steps in and spend the day out at a museum. The Dorset Museum and Art Gallery is the perfect place to explore, learn and enjoy on your own or with friends and family. Not to mention going to a museum is one of the most affordable self care day outs you can have!  

    Planning your own Self Care Sunday routine

    Setting in motion a regular Self Care Sunday routine may seem time consuming and difficult to achieve, but it doesn’t have to be. The best thing about planning your own self care routine is that it’s flexible, it can be on any day of the week you want, you can dedicate as much or as little time to it as you need and you can choose the activities that appeal to you the most.

    Taking at least a little time to reflect, treat yourself and encourage a bit of physical activity can make you feel better and refreshed for the next week. Choose one or more activities that interest you, and schedule in some time where you can fully focus on enjoying what you’re doing without distractions.

    Want to find out more?

    LiveWell Dorset is always happy to help! You can register with us today and receive personalised advice and tips from our wonderful LiveWell coaches. If you’d like to find more activities to do on Self Care Sunday, use our activity finder tool to discover clubs and groups near you.

    Further Reading

    When is the best time to go for a walk – morning or evening?

Georgina

"In January 2019, I was five stone heavier. Now, with the weight loss, parkrun and netball, my anxiety has improved tenfold."

View full story

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The tailored approach LiveWell Dorset uses to come up with solutions to the things that are stopping us achieving our goals, is based upon work done by University College London developing the COM-B model of behaviour change. In this model, all behaviour is influenced by understanding a person’s capability to change, their opportunity to change and their motivation to change. By understanding which of these is the biggest barrier to change, we can tailor support accordingly. This model of behaviour change is at the centre of the support we offer, online and in person.

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