Looking for ways to unwind after a stressful week?
Try creating a Self-Care Saturday routine to set your weekend off to a relaxing start.
There’s nothing like the liberating feeling of waking up to a Saturday morning without any obligations or social engagements. It’s like a blank slate. A hard reset. A chance to catch up on sleep and take care of yourself.
Use this downtime to engage in any interests or activities that nourish you. You can even make a list of fun and relaxing activities ahead of time, then pick 1-3 things to do when Saturday rolls around. This way, you can take full advantage of your weekend, without worrying about what to do with all your free time or succumbing to the lure of work emails.
Another benefit of a Saturday self-care routine? It helps you ease into your weekend on a gentle and empowering note. By setting this positive foundation, you can ensure a better, and more relaxed Sunday and have these positive feelings roll over onto the next week.
Besides, when’s the last time you did something nice for yourself that wasn’t on your birthday? We shouldn’t reserve acts of self-care for special occasions. It’s always important to make our emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being a priority.
Feeling ready to relax and take care of yourself? Here are some ideas for Self-Care Saturday activities:
1. Journal in a pretty notebook
Putting things down on paper can be deeply cathartic and comforting. You can write down the thoughts weighing on your mind and then let them go. Or you can also use your journal to explore and inspire wanderlust. Make a travel wish list of all the places you want to visit. Or dream jobs you’d love to have. Or books you’d like to read.
This exercise is not only soothing, but it’s powerful—we’re giving ourselves permission to dream big and stretch our imagination. During the work week, when we’re often so hard-pressed for time, we don’t always have the opportunity to just daydream. This journaling routine gives us a chance to explore our inner desires without judgement.
2. Count your blessings
You can use your notebook or gratitude journal to make a list of all the things you are grateful for. Something as mundane as remarking on a sunset or a cup of iced coffee can actually give us a mental energy boost and help make your days feel more distinct and dynamic.
When we acknowledge all the wonderful gifts we have in our lives, we seem to call in even more gifts—or maybe it just seems like it because we’re becoming more aware of them. There is power in expressing your appreciation.
3. Toot your own horn
It’s so hard to recall compliments or nice things people have said about us or our work. Yet when it comes to criticism or negative comments, we tend to store them or sear them into our memory. Use your Self-Care Saturday to pay yourself some compliments and celebrate your accomplishments. Make a list of all the things you are proud of. Acknowledge every win, big and small, so you can ride on the jubilant feeling all weekend and into the next week.
4. Make a hotel breakfast for yourself
Who doesn’t love room service? The array of delicious pastries, the little jars of jam and butter, the aroma of fresh coffee, and all delivered on a fancy tray. Recreate the indulgent experience of a room service breakfast by treating yourself to an assortment of goodies.
Get pastries from your favorite bakery or a baguette with butter and jam, prepare a steaming cup of coffee, and a glass of fresh orange juice. Bonus points if you have a tray to serve it on. You can even place a little vase with a pretty flower on your table for a nice touch. The point here is to indulge and make a special, quiet moment for yourself.
5. Read your favorite magazines in bed
With so much of our free time spent on our phone, scrolling through social media and the news, we need a way to decompress from the information overload. That’s why something as simple as a magazine can be so relaxing. The tactile feeling of touching and flipping the pages. Seeing gorgeous photos of food and fashion and vacation spots. The experience feels so transportive and soothing, and your brain gets a chance to shut off. Pick out two or three “escapist” magazines like Food and Wine, Real Simple, or Vanity Fair and just spend the morning living vicariously through the photo spreads.
6. Shop at the farmer’s market
Stimulate your senses with a trip to a local farmer’s market. Your mind and senses will feel so engaged as you take stock of the vibrantly colored hues of fruits and veggies, not to mention all the fun people watching you’ll get to do. Stock up on some fruits and veggies and some hearty breads and cheeses, and create a nice, fresh lunch for yourself.
7. Write a thank you card
Not only will expressing gratitude set your weekend off to a positive, appreciative start, but you’ll also make your recipient’s day as well. Send a thank you card to your best friend or family member and let them know how much they mean to you.
8. Take a mindful walk
Go for a long, leisurely walk in the park without any devices. Practice mindfulness by taking note of the sounds, sights, and smells around you. Inhale the scent of the trees and freshly cut grass, and notice how the light filters through the leaves. Paying attention to your surroundings will help you stay in the present moment and provide a sense of peace for the rest of the day.
9. Do watercolors or color in an adult coloring book
If you’re looking for a calming Self-Care Saturday activity, break out your water colors and coloring books. Activities like painting and coloring help us remove any distractions or stressful thoughts by allowing us to focus on one, single task.
10. Play a board game with friends
Remember how much fun we used to have with board games when we were kids? It was such a dynamic experience. All the colorful little game pieces. A board that seemed to hold an entire new world. The tactile sensation of rolling dice and using timers. Games bring out our playful side while also helping us learn problem solving skills in a relaxed, low stakes way. So the next time you want to have fun on a Saturday, break out the old Monopoly board and gather a group of friends.
If you’re looking for more self-care ideas, you can check out our post here. You can even refer to your old journal entries to find inspiration. Maybe you once wrote about how much you’ve always wanted to try horseback riding or check out that new cafe in your neighborhood. Follow your instincts and see where they take you.
