After a long week, it’s finally time to unwind. Whether it’s Saturday, Sunday, or just a random day off, we all need a break to recharge.
I get it—sometimes when the weekend comes, you find yourself wondering, “What should I do with all this free time?” I’ve been there too. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of 10 fun activities that help me make the most of my time off. From getting enough sleep to treating yourself to some well-deserved self-care, these ideas will help you truly enjoy your weekend.
So, if you’re ready to make the most of your day off, keep reading.
1. Treat yourself to a DIY spa day
A warm bath is the perfect way to relax after a busy week. By adding Epsom salts to the water, you will not only soothe your tired muscles but also improve circulation, helping you feel refreshed 1.
Made for you: 7 Optimal Body Care Routines Will Make Your Skin Beautiful And Fresh
To create a calming atmosphere, light some scented candles and, for a touch of aromatherapy, add a few drops of essential oils like lavender to your bath 2. It’s simple but effective.
And if you’d rather leave the pampering to the professionals, treat yourself to a local spa for a massage or sauna session to ease away the tension.
Read more: How to Make Your Custom Spa Bath and Aromatherapy
Do a Whole House Cleaning
Cleaning your room or any part of your home can be a form of therapy.
According to WebMD Editors (2021), “getting rid of excess stuff can benefit your mental health by making you feel calmer, happier, and more in control.” Hence, cleaning chores are good for your mental health.
For example, I enjoy cleaning my room on weekends. It has a wonderful effect on my mood. When I finish cleaning and see the great results of my hard work, I feel like a new person (in a good way, though).
So why not pick a part of your house, like your room, and then move on to your kitchen or another area?
Believe me, spending at least an hour doing this can greatly benefit your mental well-being.
Get Creative
Put down your phone and get creative. Your phone has been your constant companion all weekend, so now it’s time to give it a rest.
Engage in hobbies such as arts and crafts like painting, drawing, knitting, origami, and more. You can also try gardening and journaling, as these activities relieve stress and promote calm.
Engaging in these activities is far better than doing nothing.
They keep you occupied with something productive and promote mindfulness, calming anxious thoughts from a busy week 4. It is known that journaling about your frustrations and problems can help solve them.
In addition to the mentioned activities, you can create your own healthy and creative activities to try, as long as they help you stay calm and productive.
Curl Up With a Good Book or Movie
There is nothing that feels more cosy than curling up on your comfortable sofa with your soft and cosy blanket, reading your favourite book, or watching your favourite movie.
You can dim the lights to create a cinema-like atmosphere, make some homemade snacks like popcorn, and grab a milkshake or smoothie. You can also brighten up your room when settling in with your book.
Most of us want to experience and enjoy this kind of relaxation during weekends because of the peace of mind it brings.
Get enough sleep and rest
After waking up at about 5 or 6 am every morning for most of the week, your weekend is the time to sleep in and not set that early alarm.
So, why not get the needed sleep?
Instead of staying up late, go to bed early and get enough rest to wake up early, giving you more time to engage in productive activities during your weekend.
Read more: 9 Life Hacks for Improved Sleep Routine
It’s important to make up for lost sleep during the busy week to destress and improve cognitive function.
Adults are generally advised to get a minimum of seven to nine hours of sleep each night 5. Therefore, it’s best not to stay up late on weekends.
Also, taking 60-minute naps can help you recharge, especially if you don’t sleep enough at night.
Practice Mindfulness and Meditation
Meditation has always been a helpful technique for unwinding your thoughts, mind, brain, and body after a busy schedule.
Practice deep breathing at home; you can do this on your sofa while sitting, in the park, or in comfortable and calm areas. You can use calm music as a form of concentration or just focus on your breathing.
You can also do activities that promote mindfulness, like reading a spiritual or intuitive book that helps you organise your thoughts.
So, why don’t you add that to your to-do list this week? It will be helpful for you.
Reconnect With Your Loved Ones
Another great way to spend your weekend is by connecting with your loved ones, such as your family, friends, or your partner.
Spend some time with them at home or out, doing activities that you all enjoy, as long as they lift your mood. Just make sure to remove all distractions and put your phone on “Do Not Disturb” (DND).
Give all your attention to your family; work is over, it is their time.
You may also like: How to Create the Life You Want With These 7 Simple Work-Life Balance Tips
Connecting with your loved ones helps reassure you that you are loved and have people around to support you, and it motivates you to work better to make them proud.
Get Outside To Enjoy Nature And Fresh Air.
The weekend is the perfect time to get out and enjoy nature, and breathe in the fresh air that you’ve been missing while being too focused on work.
Put on some casual clothes and head to your local park, or explore your community by visiting the shopping centre.
A change of scenery can help keep your mind active and enhance your perception, while also reducing boredom.
Plus, going for a walk is a form of exercise that’s good for the body.
Exercise
Exercise doesn’t have to feel like a chore or an intense workout. The key is finding enjoyable ways to stay active.
Even activities like dancing, walking, jogging, yoga, and stretching count as exercise. As long as you’re moving your body regularly, you’re exercising.
These different activities have one major benefit in common: they release endorphins, the “happy hormones” that improve your mood.
Though some may release endorphins faster than others, any form of exercise can eventually provide this boost. Activities like yoga and stretching enhance flexibility by working your muscles and joints.
The bottom line is that exercise comes in many forms, so find an activity you genuinely enjoy. That way, staying active becomes less of a hassle and more of a sustainable way to improve your overall well-being.
Read more: 5 Most Underrated Forms of Exercise
Join A Club
You can also join a club of your choice. It can be a book club where you all read books, exchange insights, and give each other recommendations. It can be an arts and crafts club where you all learn and teach how to paint, draw, crochet, and do arts and crafts-related activities.
Moreover, you could also join a sports club, which is good because sports are fun and there are so many varieties. Just pick the ones you want and participate. Sports are also a form of exercise. They keep you active and have the benefit of exercise.
You can also join other different clubs in your area or online if you prefer. Joining a club fosters a sense of belonging and companionship by spending time with people and getting to know them.
BONUS TIP:
Practice Healthy Eating
I know I said 10, but one important tip is often overlooked, so I need to stress how essential it is not to overlook it.
It’s your eating habits and diet.
Don’t use the weekend as an excuse to neglect your health and eat junk food. It’s the perfect time to eat more healthily because you have the time to prepare a balanced, nutritional meal that you will enjoy.
You can also meal prep healthy meals for your upcoming busy week. Use this time to experiment with different recipes and choose the ones that suit you the most.
Always prioritise your health and practice healthy eating habits, no matter how relaxed you’re trying to be.
Conclusion
You have the main activities you can do this weekend just one click away. Save this post so that you can come back to it in case your busy week causes you to forget what activities you should try this weekend (I hope not).
You can also subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest content on activities on how to recharge at your weekends or any day of the week.
Have you tried any of the activities mentioned in this post? I hope you enjoyed it and would love to hear your thoughts.
Thank you for reading, and I hope you have the best weekend ever.
REFERENCES
WebMD Editorial Contributors (2021). Mental Health Benefits of Decluttering. (online) WebMD. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-health-benefits-of-decluttering (Accessed December 7, 2023).
Brown, J. (2024). 10 Ways to Recharge Your Mind. [online] www.wpa.org.uk. Available at: https://www.wpa.org.uk/health-wellbeing/articles/recharge-your-mind (Accessed May 9, 2024).
Cirino, E. (2018). How to Recharge Your Mind and Body When You Feel Drained. [online] Healthline. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-recharge#physical-recharge (Accessed May 9, 2024).
Ishak, R. (2016). 11 Ways to Recharge on Your Day off so You Can Go Back to Work Refreshed. [online] Bustle. Available at: https://www.bustle.com/articles/162164-11-ways-to-recharge-on-your-day-off-so-you-can-go-back-to-work-refreshed (Accessed May 9, 2024).
Waters, S. (2022). 10 ways to take time for yourself even with a hectic schedule. [online] www.betterup.com. Available at: https://www.betterup.com/blog/take-time-for-yourself (Accessed May 9, 2024).
