When it comes to the weekend, it’s time to hit the pause button on the weekday chaos. Whether you’ve had a week full of meetings, deadlines, or just a general moment of needing it to be a relaxation day, a little weekend relax can work wonders.
The good news is that you don’t need to book a luxury vacation or a monk level meditation retreat to feel refreshed. We’ve put together a list of five ways that you should relax this weekend before Monday sneaks back around.
- Treat yourself to a Swedish full body massage. If there’s one thing that screams relaxation, it’s a Swedish full body massage. Think gentle, needing soothing strokes, and the kind of deep side that only happens when tension melts away. It’s classic for a reason, because it boosts your circulation, loosens tight muscles, and calms the mind. Plus, it’s really a good excuse to lay still for an hour while someone else does the work. You’ll float out rather than walk out feeling like a new person.
- Binge without guilt. Whether you’re sinking into the couch or sinking into a cake, we give you full permission to do whatever you need to do to relax. That TV show you’ve been meaning to watch start to finish is a great way to binge your time, especially if you’ve got popcorn and unlimited snacks.
- Get outside. Yes, you may have been leaving the house to go to the office, but that doesn’t mean you can’t spend time outside on the weekend. A short walk in a nearby park can lower your stress and lift your mood. With fresh air, some sunshine and some duck sightings, it’s the cheapest therapy around. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, pack a picnic, leave your phone on silent, and pretend you’re off the grid for a few hours.
- Get your friends together for brunch. Brunch is not just a meal, it’s a lifestyle. So sleep in a little, then treat yourself to pancakes, eggs or a fancy coffee. In fact, go for all three ’cause there are no rules here. Whether you whip something up in your kitchen or you head to your favourite cafe, brunch often feels like the ultimate reward for surviving the week. Bring your friends along and suddenly your Saturday feels like a celebration.
- Unplug for an hour. We talked about pretending to be off the grid, but why not actually go off of it? Turn off your phone for a while and don’t worry about buzzing or notifications or scrolling through rabbit holes. All you get is peace and quiet, so use the time to read a book, listen to music, or stare out the window. It’s weirdly satisfying and helps your brain to reset.
Relaxation does not have to be complicated, nor does it have to be expensive. Whether you’re getting pampered or streaming your favourite show, the key is to do what’s going to make you feel good.