How to Create the Perfect Sunday Reset Routine for a Productive Work Week

More often than not, work consumes our days and leaves us feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, and DEFINITELY needing a break. 

If that sounds like you, we are here to tell you that you are not alone.

So many of us revolve our entire lives around our careers; trying to get that next promotion, making that next deadline, etc. We go days, weeks, even months without taking a break and prioritizing ourselves.

It feels chaotic and draining!

Work that we were once so passionate about becomes something to groan about at the beginning of the day.

Luckily, there a few things you can do to avoid feeling overwhelmed while continuing to be productive at work.

Here are 6 easy habits to incorporate into your Sunday reset routine to recharge your energy and prepare you for the perfect week ahead!

#1: Have a Slow Morning

We tend to rush our mornings when we scramble to get one thing done after another. This can cause us to start our day on the wrong foot or already feel overwhelmed as soon as we get out of bed in the morning.

Slowing down your morning even just once a week sets you up for success. It allows you to take in and enjoy the little quiet time you have alone every morning.

So, although it may be difficult to avoid completing your tasks as soon as you wake up, it may be a good idea to dedicate a relaxing, slow morning to your next Sunday reset day.

These are a few of our favorite ways to slow down our mornings:

• Get out of bed and let some sun in! Open your blinds or curtains and stretch.
• Take your time getting ready in the morning. Go through your skincare routine, put on a cute and comfy outfit (Or stay in your PJs! Whatever makes you happy), and make your favorite cup of tea or coffee.
• Eat something yummy for breakfast! Breakfast is so important for having an energy-filled day, so don’t skip it!
• Do a 10-minute meditation session. The Calm App is a wonderful resource to use with countless guided meditations that make it easy to make it a quick habit during your busy days.

#2: Tidy Your Space & Wash your Bedsheets

A cluttered space leads to a cluttered mind.

When you come home to a messy space at the end of your work day it leaves an unsettling and chaotic feeling inside. It definitely makes it more difficult to relax and unwind.

That’s exactly what we want to avoid so tidying up your space for your next Sunday reset routine is a great habit to incorporate.

Coming home to a clean home is so much more important than you may think. It separates the busy, fast-paced environment at work from the relaxing, slow-paced environment at home where you can unwind.

I know what you’re thinking. Cleaning does not sound like a relaxing Sunday.

Well, there is no need to worry because there are only three things you need to do weekly to keep your space nice and tidy:

• Do a quick scan of your area and pick up anything that is not in its place.
• Vacuum the main area and bedroom.
• Wash your bedsheets. Having clean bedsheets will have future you thanking you every night ahead when you get to crawl into a soft, fresh-smelling bed after work.

#3: Clear Your Inbox

Your email is like the hub that connects your work to your personal life at home and we are all too guilty of allowing our emails to pile up to the point of it consuming our peace of mind.

This is why clearing your inbox is an essential (and easy!) habit to incorporate into your Sunday Reset Routine.

Now, you can feel completely at ease when you are away from work and actually rest your constantly running mind.

#4: Brain Dump/Plan Your Week

Having a brain dump session and planning your week ahead is a similar concept to clearing your inbox.

We are constantly having thoughts of errands we need to do, events we need to attend, and projects to complete. With these running through our minds all day it’s difficult to actually relax when we are meant to be taking a break.

Sitting down for just 10 minutes to write all these thoughts down and then organizing them into the week ahead will allow you to avoid feeling mentally drained and anxious and feel well-rested instead.\\

Making this a habit every Sunday reset day will make a tremendous difference in your week and even improve your productivity at work.

Papier has some of the cutest planners while also providing some of the best organizational layouts for your weeks ahead.

#5: Self-Care

It’s understandable to get carried away with the many career tasks and life events we experience daily. But, it is extremely important to pause every now and then and prioritize your mental health.

This is such an easy and rewarding task that you can add to your Sunday reset routine because it really does not take a lot to take care of yourself a little.

Some of our favorite ways to practice self-care are to:

• Binge-watch your favorite TV show
• Have an at-home spa session
• Go on a walk
• Meditate
• Recite positive affirmations
• Journal your thoughts
• Read a book

No matter who tells you otherwise, taking care of your mental health is an essential part of living a fulfilling life.

If you would like to learn more on how to prioritize your mental health as a working woman, check out 5 Quick and Easy Self-Care Tips for Women who Work. 

#6: Go Grocery Shopping/Meal Prep

Don’t forget to eat!!

It’s no secret that your diet is a vital part of maintaining great health and feeling amazing every day. Especially as somebody who works daily, making sure you are eating healthy and nutritious meals is so important in having the energy needed to complete a productive day.

Sometimes we struggle to feed ourselves healthy, balanced meals every day while being busy at work. So, making sure to go grocery shopping and/or meal prepping every Sunday reset is an extremely helpful way to ensure you are getting the brain food you need.

A way to make this task easier is to write down a few recipes you want to make for the week and list out all the ingredients you need to buy before going grocery shopping.

We know it is difficult sometimes to think of what to make for dinner after a long day at work especially when we just want to eat right away.

Hello Fresh is an amazing subscription service that makes it all super convenient for you! With Hello Fresh there is no need to worry about buying all the ingredients or taking up too much of your free time cooking when you can be relaxing instead.

All the ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes are sent directly to your doorstep and cooking is quick and easy too. The best part is that these meals are healthy, quick, and delicious!

Meal prepping is definitely an additional step that can make the process throughout the week even easier (although not necessary). If you are looking for a way to not worry about making your meals every day while working this is an excellent option to consider doing at the start of your week.

Conclusion

We want you to know that feeling overwhelmed, tired, and burnt out is completely normal!

Creating a Sunday reset routine is such an easy way to make your overall work/life balance so much more enjoyable.

Our 7 easy steps we provided for you is a great start to taking charge of your work life and the beginning of coming into work everyday with a bright smile on your face again.

We want you to feel accomplished and proud of yourself because you should!

✍️ Written by Michelle Kim