If you ask me, weekends (and days off) are for taking care of yourself. That might mean a ton of couch-potato time and Netflix or it might mean catching up on work and trying to prepare for the busy week ahead. It might mean taking time to care for others or to nurture your relationships. Obviously, this is the idealistic view, but I’d like to think that weekends are for doing what you need to do in order to feel as relaxed as possible heading into the week. Need some ideas for how to do that? Well, you’re in the right place. 😉
- Catch up with old friends
On Friday night, I spent about five hours with two reeeeeally lovely friends from high school eating Chipotle, a lot of way too much candy, and talking about everything in life. We loosely planned to watch something on Netflix… but we never got there. Basically, I’m not sure I’ve laughed that much in a long time. And laughter = relaxation. <– Math (or something).
- See a movie… or take a nap
My mom and I saw Minions on Saturday. Frankly, it wasn’t my favorite – even though I loved both Despicable Me movies – and I fell asleep. Either way, it made for a pretty relaxing activity.
- Get outside
A little sunshine goes a long way toward clearing your head. I was in a little bit of a funk after my nap on Saturday. One sunny dog walk later, and I was feeling quite a bit better. And that’s just personal experience – there’s a lot of research about happiness and time outside.
- Have brinner
Is there anything more comforting than bacon and pancakes doused in syrup?
{Kodiak Cakes with blueberries, bacon, and grapes}
If so, it’s probably cheesy eggs. Brinner is super easy to whip up with minimal clean-up, which means more time for relaxing.
- Cross that thing off your to-do list
It only has to be one – but if you make it something you’ve really been putting off, you’ll feel on top of the world. I finally cleaned all of my half-unpacked college stuff from our guest room. Update: you can see the bed (and the floor!) there now.
- Learn something new
Whether you read up on an unfamiliar topic you’re interested in or dive in and, oh, learn how to peel and devein shrimp, you’ll feel more prepared to take on a new week armed with some new knowledge.
- Test out a recipe
Or a lot of them. I spent all day in the kitchen on Sunday. It gets you off the couch and unleashes creativity. Bonus: You’ll be rewarded with delicious, nourishing food.
{Berry Cheesecake Muffins}
{Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread}
{Flourless Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies}
- Always add extra chocolate chips
A bit of chocolate can help relax you. And it’s yummy.
What helps you relax?
Are your weekends more productive or laid-back?
These are all awesome things to do, I love watching movies and eating brinner as well ;). i am quite bad when it comes to catching up with friends, even though it can be so enjoyable. My favorite ways of relaxing are reading a good book and taking a nice walk outside while listening to a podcast.
I love podcasts! They’re so entertaining and informative 🙂
A big YES to relaxing and finding time for yourself! I think it’s so easy to get caught up in work and school so being able to unplug and find your center again is so important. I love me a good bubble bath and baking!
With your blog and photography and school, I’d say you know the importance of balance better than just about anyone 🙂 Love your methods of relaxing!
Yes! Always extra chocolate!! I love the Trader Joe’s 72% Pound Plus bars, as I think I’ve mentioned before…tastes even better melted, IMO!
I love all your relaxation ideas!! Oh, and those PB Chocolate Cookies? Good thing I don’t live near you, because you might have a surprise drop-by-for-cookies visitor! 😛
Reading is one of my favorite ways to relax, but also writing (and reading! 😉 ) blog posts, watching movies, and listening to music. Bonus if soaking up sunshine *while relaxing* is involved. 🙂
Usually Saturdays are yard work days, but Sundays are always our lazy-laidback days. This last week, though, when I stepped out into our garage Sunday morning, there was water spraying from our hot water heater and the garage was so completely filled with mist it looked like smoke! So we started off the day cleaning up the whole garage from that, but, with the whole family pitching in, it didn’t take as long as anticipated. That was one of our surprise adventures for the week for sure, so this Sunday didn’t involve as much chillaxing.
I definitely need to get a pound plus bar. More than a pound of chocolate? Yes, please!
Haha if they wouldn’t melt, I’d send you some. We’re up to our ears in baked goods. Oops 😉
I love all your relaxing activities! And absolutely – time in the sun is a great big bonus 😀
Oh no! That’s not a fun surprise. Glad you got the garage situation taken care of!
I felt the same way with Minions! My mom and I saw it last Friday, and we found it to be rather disappointing. We attributed it to the fact we had just seen Inside Out, which was significantly better. In addition, we agreed that the Minions are good for shorts, but not full-length films!
I wholeheartedly agree with the Brinner idea. Pancakes for every meal. Yes.
I loved Inside Out, as well. It was so touching and funny – just really well done.
That sounds lovely. Yes, please.
Totally, cooking is my relaxation! 100% I feel so good doing it!
Same! I feel so calm and unstressed in the kitchen. Love it 🙂