Sunday Reset Routine: Comfort Food, Comfy Clothes, and a Little Bit of Self-Care

There’s something special about Sundays. Tucked right between the chaos of last week and the buzz of what’s ahead, it’s the one day that holds a little bit of magic — if you let it.

For years, I used to treat Sunday like a second Saturday. I'd pack in errands, obligations, and maybe even try to catch up on work. But eventually, I hit a wall. I was rolling into Mondays already drained, with no real space to pause, exhale, or reset. Sound familiar?

That’s when I started crafting a little Sunday reset routine — nothing fancy or overcomplicated, just a gentle rhythm that helps me slow down, check in with myself, and go into the week ahead feeling more grounded (and a lot less frazzled). Whether you’ve had a whirlwind of a week or just need a little personal recharge, this reset routine might be just the thing you need.

Let’s walk through it together — comfy clothes on, phone on Do Not Disturb. Ready?

Start the Day Slow: Comfy Clothes, No Alarms, No Rush

There is no greater Sunday luxury than waking up… whenever. No alarms buzzing, no emails to answer, no where-you-need-to-be energy. Just the quiet comfort of a morning that’s truly yours.

If you can, let yourself linger a little. Stay cozy under the blankets, stretch out, listen to the birds or the hum of your home. Then, when you’re ready, slide into your comfiest outfit — the one that feels like a warm hug. For me, it’s a pair of well-worn joggers and an oversized hoodie that’s seen better days but still makes me smile. Fuzzy socks? Optional, but highly recommended.

A slow morning cup of something (tea, coffee, hot lemon water) adds just the right touch. Light a candle. Crack open a window. Let yourself fully be in that slow start — it sets the tone for the rest of your day.

Make Something Simple and Nourishing

Once you’ve settled into your Sunday morning, it’s time to think about breakfast — or brunch, depending on when you got up. The key here is comfort over complexity.

You don’t need to whip up a five-star spread. Think of the foods that feel like home. Maybe it’s a tasty eggs and hashbrown skillet breakfast, pancakes from a box mix with a little cinnamon added in, or even something nostalgic like buttered noodles or grilled cheese later in the day.

For me, it’s almost always something warm and filling: a veggie-packed frittata, a cinnamon oatmeal bowl, or on extra-slow Sundays, a batch of banana bread with melty chocolate chips. Not because it’s fancy, but because it just feels good.

The goal here isn’t gourmet — it’s grounding. When you feed yourself with care, you remind your body that it's safe, nourished, and supported. That’s the first step to real self-care.

Move Gently, Breathe Deeply

Movement on Sundays doesn’t have to mean a full-on workout (unless you want it to). It can be as simple as a walk around the block, some stretches in your living room, or a quick dance party in your kitchen while breakfast sizzles.

A little movement helps clear your head, release tension, and wake up parts of you that might still be dragging from the week. One of my favorite things to do? Step outside, even if it’s just for ten minutes. The sunlight, the breeze, the reminder that there’s a world beyond my to-do list — it works wonders.

If you enjoy yoga or light stretching, carve out a few minutes for that. Put on a playlist you love and let your body lead the way. Even five or ten minutes of intentional movement can shift your energy more than you'd expect.

And if you're feeling sore, tight, or a little burned out physically? This is a great time to consider scheduling with one of your amazing local massage therapists. A short session can do more than ease tight shoulders — it can give you back a sense of calm and connection to your body that’s hard to find in the everyday rush.

Self-Care That Actually Feels Like Care

We hear a lot about self-care, but on Sundays, I keep it real. It’s not about expensive face masks (though I love those too) or forcing yourself through a 10-step routine. It’s about doing a few small things that make you feel like you again.

Maybe that’s setting a timer for 20 minutes and finally tidying your nightstand. Maybe it’s journaling a few thoughts that have been bouncing around your head all week. Maybe it’s sitting on the floor in your coziest sweater, flipping through a book or your favorite magazine.

If you love skincare, take your time with it today. Slow it down. Add an extra moisturizer or that serum you've been neglecting. Light a candle, play some soft music, and make the moment intentional — not rushed.

And yes, booking that massage? 100% counts as self-care. If you’ve got a favorite local massage therapist, this is your sign to check their schedule. There’s something so healing about being cared for in that way — not just physically, but emotionally. Your body does so much for you. Let it be supported in return.

Prep Without Pressure

Once you’ve filled your cup with rest and softness, you might find that you naturally want to prepare a little for the week ahead. This part isn’t about getting everything perfect — it’s about giving your future self a tiny bit of breathing room.

Here are a few light-touch things I like to do on a Sunday afternoon:

• Review my calendar and jot down anything important
• Toss in a load of laundry so I’m not scrambling for clean socks
• Prep a snack or two for the week (like chopped fruit, or overnight oats)
• Refill my water bottle and keep it on my desk as a reminder for Monday
• Choose one outfit I actually want to wear and set it aside

Even doing just one of those things can help Monday feel a little less overwhelming. It's like leaving breadcrumbs for your future self to follow — a little trail of ease into the week ahead.

End the Day With Intention

As the sun sets on Sunday, resist the urge to cram in more. Let your evening be slow. Maybe it’s dinner with someone you love, or takeout in front of your favorite show. Maybe it’s a bath with lavender, a podcast, or turning off screens an hour earlier than usual.

This is your exhale before the inhale of Monday.

I like to do one small thing that makes my space feel peaceful — fluff the pillows, dim the lights, spray a calming mist on my sheets. Then I’ll make a short list of 3 things I’m grateful for or 3 things I’m looking forward to in the week ahead. It shifts my focus from dread to intention.

And if all you do is climb into bed early and give yourself permission to rest? That’s enough. In fact, that might be the most powerful Sunday reset of all.

Your Reset, Your Way

There’s no single “right” way to do a Sunday reset. What matters most is how it makes you feel. Do you feel more centered? More cared for? More ready to show up in your life with softness and strength?

Then it’s working.

Let this be your invitation to design a Sunday that serves you — not your inbox, not your schedule, not your inner critic. And maybe, just maybe, include a little something for your body too. Whether it’s a stretch, a warm meal, or time with a trusted local massage therapist, you deserve care that goes deeper than surface-level.

If you try this routine or add your own twist, I’d love to hear about it. What’s your must-do Sunday ritual? What comforts or calms you before a new week begins?

Here’s to Sundays that restore, reconnect, and remind us who we are.