Relaxing Weekend at Home: A Guide to Unwinding and Recharging

We all look forward to the weekend for some much-needed rest and relaxation after a busy week. While going out can be fun, sometimes the best weekends are spent peacefully at home recharging and taking time for yourself. Follow this guide to make the most of your weekends at home through relaxing activities, good food, and family time.

Pamper Yourself

Start your weekend by pampering yourself a little! Light some candles and take a long bath or shower to unwind. Give yourself a DIY spa treatment by exfoliating, applying a hydrating face mask, and finishing with moisturizer. Tie your hair up and do your nails. Drink a cup of tea or a glass of wine while tuning out the world for a bit.

Sleep In

One of the best parts of weekends is getting those precious extra hours of sleep. Sleep is essential to health, immunity and wellbeing. To optimize sleep, keep your room cool, limit light and use blackout curtains. Avoid screens before bed and limit caffeine past midday. Wake up naturally without an alarm blaring. Then lounge in bed reading or journaling slowly.

Make Breakfast

Early weekend mornings are ideal for a slow, wholesome breakfast. Cook up something nourishing like avocado toast, omelets, pancakes, smoothie bowls or a veggie frittata. Sit and savor your food while reading the paper or your favorite blog. Good food is integral to an indulgent weekend at home.

Get Moving

While relaxation is key, it’s also important to get your body moving on weekends. Take an invigorating morning walk or jog around your neighborhood. Try out a weekend yoga routine via YouTube. Do a short HIIT workout or bodyweight circuit at home. Moving your body clears your head, boosts endorphins and prepares you for relaxation.

Do a Digital Detox

Give yourself a break from technology and social media over the weekend. Turn off notifications and avoid constantly checking your phone. Take time away from email, video calls, WhatsApp groups and distracting apps. Read an actual book or magazine instead of just screens. A digital detox reduces stress and gives your mind space.

Pursue Hobbies

Weekends present the perfect opportunity to connect with hobbies you enjoy. Make time for your interests, whether that’s baking, woodworking, gardening, photography, music or arts and crafts. Research shows hobbies boost happiness levels and relieve stress. Immerse yourself in a project or learn a new skill.

Handle Chores Playfully

Tackle minor cleaning and chores in a lighter way, perhaps while listening to music. Wash dishes while dancing around the kitchen. Fold laundry in front of a comedy special. Sweep while singing your favorite songs. Adding an element of play makes mundane tasks less of a drag.

Take a Nap

If you need an energy reboot, go ahead and take a nap. Naps can restore mental clarity and improve your mood. To wake feeling refreshed, cap naps at 20-30 minutes. Any longer can lead to grogginess. Cover windows to limit light, use a white noise app and set an alarm. Then you’ll have more energy for later activities.

Get Cozy

Create a snuggly space for lounging at home all weekend. Light candles to set a calming ambiance. Use plush blankets and cushions to get comfy on the sofa or bed. Make your favorite hot drink and find a good book, television show or podcast. Getting cozy helps you fully relax and take it easy.

Do a Jigsaw Puzzle

Jigsaw puzzles make for absorbing and meditative weekend activities. Puzzles give your brain a break from screens while relieving stress. The satisfaction of completing them activates happy neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. Round up family or play soothing music while piecing away.

Game Night

Make weekends family time by holding a games night. Get out board games, card games, video games and gaming consoles. Order in pizza or make movie theater-style snacks to accompany games. Laughing and bonding while playing games relieves stress all round.

Pamper Your Pet

Don’t forget to show your furry family members some love on weekends too. Brush your cat or dog, trim their nails and give them a bath. Take your dog out for extra walks or play fetch in the yard. Cuddle your pets while watching TV to reap the destressing powers of animal affection.

Go For a Drive

Escape from the everyday simply by getting in your car and seeing where the road takes you. Cruise around with your favorite music playing loudly. Feel the stress melt away. Stop along the way to explore an interesting town or cafe. Arrive back home feeling refreshed.

Do Some Gardening

Spending time tending to plants and the garden is a meditative, rewarding weekend activity. Water and care for houseplants. Do gardening chores like weeding and fertilizing. Plant vegetables or pretty flowers. Being in nature reduces stress and elevates mood.

Make Dinner

Cooking a delicious homemade dinner can be a creative, relaxing weekend activity. Browse new recipes or recreate old favorites. Mix a classic cocktail. Play lively music and sing while cooking up a storm. Sit down afterwards to truly enjoy and savor the fruits of your labor.

Indulge Your Senses

Do small things just because they feel nice, engaging all your senses. Light a scented candle then watch the flames flicker and dance. Savor sweet juicy berries bursting with flavor. Sink into a fluffy towel fresh from the dryer. Give yourself a scalp massage. Cherish sensory experiences that soothe and satisfy.

Phone a Friend

There’s no better time than weekends to catch up and chat with friends you miss. Schedule video calls or phone dates to truly connect without multitasking. Share what’s happening in your lives, ask how they’re doing and reminisce over fun memories. Laughter and friendship are wonderful stress relievers.

Soak in the Tub

Treat yourself to a long leisurely soak in the tub surrounded by candles with a glass of wine or cup of tea. Add bath bombs, epsom salts or bubble bath. Light some incense. Read a book or listen to acoustic music as you decompress and wash your worries down the drain.

Go to Bed Early

Resist the urge to stay up late watching Netflix at the expense of precious sleep. Heading to bed early lets your body truly rest and recharge. Follow a relaxing nightly routine. Turn off devices and screens. Sip chamomile tea. Don some comfy pajamas and get into bed. You’ll wake feeling refreshed.

Embrace Doing Nothing

It’s okay to do absolutely nothing sometimes except lounge around listening to your thoughts. Give yourself permission to be still, stare out the window and let your mind wander without pressure or guilt. Enjoy the luxury of empty time and the creativity it can spark.