The Best Routine for Your Wellness Reset Day
5 activities that’ll help you destress and prepare for the next week.
What Are Reset Days?
Reset days are times devoted to forgetting past stressors while simultaneously preparing for the incoming week. Bloggers sometimes use “rest” and “reset” days interchangeably, but the two have great differences.
Rest days are about regaining immediate energy with little movement. This would be sleeping in, lounging outdoors, streaming movie marathons, etc. The goal of a rest day is to replenish your mental and physical strength.
Reset days center around giving yourself a fresh slate for the coming week. Let’s say you had an awful week at work and/or school. You brought work home but can’t seem to stop cringing about your past week. Resets allow you to cleanse any negative energy while putting your best foot forward for tomorrow. It’s less about regaining energy and more-so focused on creating a healthy and productive frame of mind.
Why Commit to Reset Days?
Resets are inherently for anyone who struggles to sit still. As a Type A person, I often feel anxious when I’m trying to relax. During rest days, I’ll feel guilty for not being productive and then exhausted when I overwork myself. (I don’t know what brand of FOMO this is, but it hurts!)
That’s why I switched to a weekly reset day. I can commit to small but calming activities that make me feel successful without stress. Activities during reset days will vary depending on your needs. Here are 5 of my common practices that help me during reset days.
1. Make Your Bed
A simple yet fruitful way to begin your day! Historically, making a bed is a staunch part of military education because it teaches discipline and consistency. I consider it a minuscule form of independence. When you’re feeling particularly out of control because of a bad week, exacting power in any way feels great.
I started making my bed every day back in high school. My physical environment often reflects my mood. Coming home to my depression cave after tough school days never really helped. Tucking in my sheets and arranging my pillows felt amazing since it meant I accomplished at least one thing daily. If that’s not your vibe, consider making your bed a once-a-week activity for your reset day.
2. Engage with Literature
Reading is awesome for rest and reset days. During reset day, reading helps you redirect your thoughts; you’ll pay attention to something outside of yourself. Read a new book, do light research for classes, annotate a magazine for beauty tips, scroll through Medium — anything! Activating your mind in a calm, voluntary way can subconsciously process any stress from the week while preparing you for future tasks.
3. Do Small Chores
Along with cleaning your bed and your mind, commit to other household chores. Nothing crazy, it’s your reset day! Run the dishwasher, fold the laundry you’ve been ignoring, organize that cluttered drawer, and try a new recipe. Small tasks that’ll make you feel productive and give the future you a break.
4. Work Out
Whether you’re a gym rat or a floor-lover (like myself), one hour of physical activity will do you some good. And it’s easily tailored to your interests.
Are you a dedicated bodybuilder? Do your usual routine or plan your next regime. Are you a hit-or-miss gym goer? Try light exercises that’ll let your mind wander. There’s always the chance for group classes so consider some yoga, Zumba, or meditation. Whatever gets your body thrumming in the best way and shakes off the dreariness of last week.
5. Spend Time Self-Reflecting
Take time to discern what you’ve done this week and how it’s helped or hurt you. Approaching the past with a clear mind aids you in recognizing which decisions were your best and which could use improvement. Figure out a goal and how to achieve it. Self-reflecting comes in different forms, like bullet journaling, bank budgeting, notebook writing, and more.
Reset Days are Wellness Days
Those are only 5 of hundreds of activities that you can do during a reset day. While they’re not as acknowledged as rest days, resets practice mindfulness. I recommend adding both rest and reset days to your schedule to promote a healthy, sustainable lifestyle.
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