As of this past Thursday, a new school year is underway! When you work at a school there is a lot of excitement that comes with a new school year. However, it can also be a very exhausting time. I can only imagine what it’s like for parents! My role is in the school’s advancement office and includes a lot of behind-the-scenes work to prepare for students on campus so it’s a very busy time of year. One way I combat the craziness is by leaning into the productive weekend routines I’ve established over the years. I find that if I complete a few must-do items it starts my week out for success. It helps keep my stress levels low and opens up my free time for activities I enjoy…like blogging! Creating a weekend routine to reduce workweek stress is easy. I hope that my own routine inspires you to reevaluate your weekends!
Different Ways a Weekend Routine Can Reduce Workweek Stress
Have you ever gotten to Sunday evening and realized you got none of your to-dos for the weekend accomplished? Taking a little bit of time to establish routines means you’re prioritizing your time to achieve your goals– whatever they are.
There are several reasons to create a weekend routine. For me, I’m less stressed throughout the week if I knock out a few time-consuming activities on Saturday and Sunday. It means I get more time back during the weekdays when I’m more likely to be less motivated after working a full day. For example, having a closet full of clean clothes and a fridge full of prepped meals means I don’t have to worry about coming home from a long day at work to worry about what I’m going to wear the next day or what’s for dinner.
Creating a weekend routine is also a great way to curb impulse spending. I find that if I batch prep my work lunches I’m far less likely to spend $5-15 dollars each day buying lunches that usually aren’t very good for me.
My Weekend Routine to Reduce Workweek Stress
My weekend routine consists of activities that make me feel my best throughout the week. What works for you might be completely different! To get your ideas flowing, here are some of the activities in my weekend routine.
1. Slow Down and Relax
One of my favorite weekend activities is a solo cup of coffee on the couch with my dog in the morning. I love this part of my weekend. My dog gets one-on-one attention that he’s lacking during the week and I have a few minutes of solitude to think. Sometimes I’ll read online or scan social media, but most of the time, it’s just enjoying my coffee with lots of belly rubs for Bernie.
2. Laundry
I almost always do laundry over the weekend. Knowing that I have plenty of clean clothes in my closet prevents a hectic Monday morning trying to find something to wear. I’m less likely to feel frumpy if I take the time to put an outfit together that makes me feel confident.
Sundays are almost exclusively the day when I wash our bedding each week. There is something about fresh sheets on a Sunday night that is so nice! It almost feels like a clean slate for the week ahead.
3. Grocery Shopping and Gas
Saturdays are my ideal day for grocery shopping. This doesn’t always happen because Saturdays can get busy pretty quickly, but when it does it means I can relax a little more on Sunday and focus on meal prep for the week.
I make sure to swing by my Kroger gas station on the way out so I have a full tank of gas for the upcoming week. I hate stopping for gas on my way home from work! Traffic is usually terrible and after being at work all day I usually just want to get home as quickly as possible. Knocking it out on Saturday saves me a little bit of frustration during my workweek.
3. Meal Prep
When I prep my meals over the weekend, it means I’m more likely to eat more nutritiously rather than grabbing whatever is fast and easy. On an ideal Sunday, I’ll prep my lunches for work and a dinner or two. Having already taken the time to grocery shop on Saturday means I have all day Sunday do cook a few meals while I listen to podcasts or an audiobook.
4. Tidy Up
I’ll admit, if one of these routine items is going to fall off, it’s going to be this one. But, I never regret it when it happens! Having a clean home eases my mind. We have never been the immaculate home type (we live here, after all.) But, I do notice that my surroundings directly impact my headspace. Picking a few small cleaning tasks keeps the mess from becoming an all-day project. Even something simple, like burning a candle or some essential oils in a diffuser, can help make your space feel cleaner and more relaxing.
5. Do Something Fun and Active
The best weekends usually include some sort of outdoor activity. My husband and I will take our dog for a long walk or a ride on the golf cart. We’re also big fans of riding our bicycles around our neighborhood. A little bit of physical activity clears my head and the sunshine puts me in a better mood. I also enjoy a good YouTube yoga session (Yoga with Adriene is my favorite.) A long stretch after a week of sitting at a desk goes a long way.
6. Review Plans for the Week Ahead
One thing I do each Sunday is pull out my planner and review the week ahead. In the past, I have been “surprised” on Monday morning with meetings or tasks I had managed to forget over the weekend. Reviewing my planner reduces the chance of an unpleasant Monday morning surprise and keeps me on top of what I need to accomplish on Sunday.
Creating Your Own Weekend Routine to Reduce Workweek Stress
A weekend routine is personal. What works for me might not necessarily work for you. But, there are a few questions you can ask yourself to decide what needs to become part of your routine.
- What tasks cause you to feel overwhelmed or annoyed during the week?
- Do you wish you had more time for during the week?
- What takes up most of your time on a week day after work?
- Do you find yourself unprepared during the week?
- If you could pick one activity that you didn’t have to do during the week, what would it be?
What must-do items are part of your weekend routine? Tell me in the comments below! Visit my post to read 6 Reasons Why You Should Use a Paper Planner.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.