You may be wondering what exactly a Slow Sunday is. This is an overview of what Slow Sundays are all about and how you can benefit from them. Also included are 13 Slow Sunday examples you can try.
It seems like everyone’s schedules are jam-packed each week with work, school, childcare, among many other obligations.
The hustle and bustle of each week flies by! When it’s finally the weekend, you have a chance to change gears and relax, except that’s not usually the case. Weekends are also filled with a whole other set of to do’s to tend to. By the time it’s Sunday, we are exhausted. You may use that time to squeeze in any remaining errands before it’s time to do it all over again.
So, how do you escape this cycle to truly recharge? Enter: Slow Sundays.
This post is all about what Slow Sundays are, why you need them, and 13 examples of how.
What are Slow Sundays?
Has anyone ever asked you what you did recently and you cannot answer right away?
Oftentimes we look back at our weeks or weekends, maybe both, and wonder what we even did. You may be at a loss because it was filled with so many things. Similarly, your mind is overloaded because there was so much packed in that you don’t know where to begin.
How regularly are you doing things with intention that leave you feeling recharged and fulfilling your passions?
This is where Slow Sundays come in.
Slow Living
Slow Sundays are part of the larger Slow Living movement. Dee, from Vanilla Papers, goes into great detail about what Slow Living is all about. She describes it as a slower, more mindful approach to life that also focuses on consuming less. This originated from the slow food movement, which encourages people to eat local and traditional food as opposed to fast food options.
This translates to many aspects of life. A few examples:
- Avoiding fast fashion for ethical reasons and lessening environmental impacts
- Removing pressure to instantly make every corner of your home look perfectly designed
- Being fully present when spending time with others and not rushing through it or scheduling too much
It can seem like leisure time is reserved for the wealthy, which Dee also discusses. On the contrary, Slow Living, especially Slow Sundays, can be utilized by all. Slow Sundays are a bite-sized approach to the Slow Living lifestyle.
It doesn’t have to literally be Sunday, but you owe yourself a day of self-care. Slow Sundays are intentional time to fully embrace a day of your week or moments of quality time, fun, and maybe even adventure.
This pause is a chance to reset and pour into your own (and your family’s, should you decide to spend the time together) cup by doing something that feeds your soul.
What are the benefits of Slow Sundays?
Sometimes what you need the most is to do nothing. It can also mean finally doing a project or activity you have been putting off because you simply have not had time.
Disclaimer: Doing nothing can be literally doing nothing or vegging out and scrolling through social media. No shame in either, though it’s recommended to unplug from your phone and social media once in a while. This way, you can embrace mindfulness and fully reset.
In today’s world, being as productive as possible is put on a pedestal. So many are left feeling overwhelmed and burned out.
We all have the same number of hours in a day, but how we prioritize what we do during that time is up to us. What allows us to have the luxury of Slow Sundays is making sure we prioritize that time. Not every week can afford this time of self-care, but it would greatly benefit you and those around you to take advantage of them regularly.
5 Benefits of Slow Sundays:
1. Reduced stress and anxiety
Reduced Stress: Allowing yourself to disconnect from the demands of daily life can significantly lower stress levels and promote relaxation.
You need to give yourself grace and time to recoup from the busy week you just closed out. You also need time to prepare for the upcoming one ahead.
Generally, people are more at ease after having a break and knowing what to expect next. Aside from the many health benefits of lowering your stress and anxiety, those around you will also benefit from being around in a relaxed state of mind.
2. Enhanced creativity and inspiration
Enhanced Creativity: Slower days provide the mental space needed to tap into your creative side and explore new ideas.
Another positive is it can make room for your passions. Whether it’s finally reading a book you have been interested in, trying out a new recipe, or exploring a new place, all are time well spent. When you learn new things your brain makes new neural pathways, so by getting creative you are truly expanding your mind.
3. Improved mental clarity and focus
Improved Mental Clarity: Stepping away from constant distractions can lead to better focus and mental clarity.
This allows you to revisit your priorities. Does a task, event, or activity serve you in a positive way or bring value?
If it does, move it up on your list, assign it the priority it deserves, and create or schedule time for it. If it doesn’t bring you value or joy, remove it.
It does not serve you to carry over tasks and you don’t get an award for having the longest to do list. By doing this, you give your full attention to the things that matter most.
4. Strengthened relationships and connections
Strengthened Relationships: Taking the time to connect with loved ones on a deeper level can lead to stronger bonds and a greater sense of belonging.
Quality time is priceless and no matter how you spend your days, they only continue to lessen. Our families, especially children, need quality time with you just as much as you need it with them. These moments of being fully present without distractions are what lead to deep, trusting, and genuine relationships with your loved ones.
5. Increased gratitude for the simple things in life
Increased Gratitude: Slowing down encourages you to appreciate the small pleasures in life that often go unnoticed in your fast-paced routines.
There is so much beauty all around you that often goes unnoticed. Sometimes it takes something tragic to appreciate the simple things, but it doesn’t and shouldn’t have to. Having gratitude for the things you may normally overlook can change your perspective in a positive way by showing you how fortunate you already are.
13 Ways to Spend Slow Sundays:
1. Make a big breakfast or brunch with your family.
Think: waffles, fresh fruit, and maybe even homemade whipping cream- yum! This is a great time to make your favorite foods that you normally don’t have time for during the week.
2. Bake.
Make muffins to go with breakfast and maybe some extra to enjoy throughout the week. Start a bread to have with dinner. The possibilities are endless.
3. Have a picnic.
Throw a blanket down in your backyard or walk to a nearby park and bring some snacks or even a whole meal to enjoy.
4. Be a tourist in your own town.
Go to the farmers’ market, check out a nature trail, stroll through your downtown shops, and enjoy what you have around you.
5. Invite friends over for a meal and to catch up.
A lot of these surround food and that is because of the nourishment it not only gives your body, but also your soul. Food is a wonderful reason to gather with loved ones and nourish your relationships.
6. Meal plan for the week ahead.
Not having to think about what to have for dinner is an underrated luxury when your day is full of decision making. Do yourself a favor by planning meals around what you already have, thinking of what sounds good and seasonal, and using the remaining ingredients from the recipes to make up your grocery list.
7. Garden or start one.
There is satisfaction in watching things grow and it’s always nice to enjoy fresh cut flowers, fruits and veggies you’ve grown yourself, or just a beautiful landscape. This applies to indoor container gardens as well!
8. Do an art project.
Paint rocks with your little ones that can go in your garden, thrift a vase and give it new life, or print photos and make a gallery wall in your home. Let your artistic side come out and express it by creating.
9. Have a spa day.
This can be as simple as a bubble bath at home for yourself or making one up for your kids at bedtime. It can also be time away at a spa or salon for much needed rest and relaxation.
10. Read.
Dive into that stack of books under your nightstand that you have been staring at for months and/or let your children pick a few books to read together at bedtime. Highly recommend making this a daily habit due to the numerous mind health benefits and the fact that it can literally help you live longer as concluded in this study. Reading is considered one of the “healthiest hobbies for your mind” as noted in this post along with the sources supporting that claim.
11. Journal.
Spend time self-reflecting on what your goals are, what life looks like today, what you are grateful for, and what you would change.
12. Meditate.
Whether it’s just sitting quietly or listening to guided meditation on YouTube or elsewhere, this is another way to turn inward and self-reflect while also mindfully releasing what no longer serves you.
11. Exercise.
Go to a yoga class or practice at home. Try something new, go on a family walk, or play with your kids in the yard. Movement is always a good thing.
12. Play a board game.
Have a game night with family or friends and make it habit to laugh and play together.
13. Have a movie night.
This can be done with your family at home by making some popcorn and setting out an assortment of candy and treats for everyone to choose from or by actually going to a movie theater for the real experience. Sometimes being in a dark room laughing, crying, or both is just what you need.
Slow Sundays are an intentional time to slow down your day to reflect and do something that makes you feel good. Use this time to recharge for the upcoming week.
You benefit from this time by lowering your stress levels, expanding your creativity, enhancing your mental clarity, strengthening relationships, and acknowledging all you have to be grateful for.
You deserve this time and may need it more than you realize, so make it a priority. It may seem difficult to put this ahead of other tasks, but by doing so you are investing in yourself, which always pays off.
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