This title could have (should have) named every day of the week. But it sounds pretty sweet as a Sunday, right? And in actuality, it feels so decadent to do a few of these rituals in preparation for a long week ahead. A detox from the stress, a relishing of the last few hours of the weekend, and bathing in light to shine bright on Monday. Here are a few of our Sunday Self-Care essentials:

1. Scrub-down

There is something so healing about taking a long, cleansing shower to both literally, and figuratively cleanse your body and mind. Before I shower each day, I dry brush with this in upward, in sweeping movements, toes to neck. This is a phenomenal practice for improving circulation, reducing cellulite, and most important (for me) supporting the lymphatic system.

Once in the shower, I use this foot scrubber (lightly!), and this organic turmeric mask on my face and neck (Jon loves it, too!). I let the face mask sit for ten minutes when I start my hair routine. I’ve learned so much about scalp health from my derm, and for men and women, if you have fine hair, or are losing hair, we need to start with the scalp. I have been using this scalp scrub/ shampoo with incredible results and 10/10 recommend. Then I rinse and put one of my favorite hair conditioning masks in and lightly massage my scalp with this. The conditioner sits for about 10 minutes and that’s when I –only once per week– use this (small business) scrub to get the rest of the dead skin off my body, especially in the winter. The face and body scrub is a once a week treat because you don’t want to cause irritation, just enough to help cell turnover.

Out of the shower I do not towel off – I immediately lather this oil on (toes to neck), and I use this microfiber towel on my hair. The oil is an absolute gift – it leaves you feeling so soft and hydrated. I then take a few big sips of water to add back in the hydration I lost in the shower, and if I’m feeling extra dry, I add this lotion on top of the oil.

2. Skincare

Having a dedicated skincare routine brings me such joy 😍. It is my time each morning and night to listen to affirmations, or a meditation, and do some inner work. I feel like it’s a time I check in with myself, and re-arrange my focus and my energy depending on how I’m feeling. With clean skin and nothing on it, I give myself ten minutes in this mask Jon surprised me with. It was the best gift, but I think he had ulterior motives looking for a giggle when he sees me wear it:

After ten minutes, I start layering the good stuff. My dermatologist recommended this vitamin C serum and it is pricey, but you only use 5 drops a day and a little goes a long way! It is by far the most brightening, best absorbing c serum I’ve tried. It pairs beautifully with this (much more affordable) b5 serum to plump and fill in any lines, and then I go in with a great moisturizer that doubles as barrier repair and sunscreen.

3. Spirit

This doesn’t have to be Church on Sunday, though it certainly can be. We have spent seasons of our life going every week, and seasons where we skipped. This happens to be a season where we’re in a rhythm of going each Sunday, and the time sitting together, feeling the warmth and kindness from the parish, and the depth of the homily, is so nourishing after a long week.

But we can fill this part of our cup in so many ways: dancing to music we love, spending time with people who light us up, listening to a meditation or mantra that speaks to us. It can be volunteering your time with a cause that is meaningful to you, or writing love notes to family far away. It can also be as simple as reading a good book, or writing in your journal.

4. Systems

Sunday is also a perfect day to set your systems in place for the week ahead. You’ve heard that mantra: a Sunday well spent brings a week of content. Here’s where I lay out outfits for the week, especially if I have any important meetings or activities (it’s always way more stressful to do it in the moment), and meal prep for snacks, food shopping, restocks, etc.

I like to make sure we have healthy options to grab and go from the fridge. Otherwise, you find yourself in the pantry, eating something that sends you to a spike, or a crash (or both). Favorites include cut up carrots + fruit, chia pudding, avocado packs with pre-portioned tortilla chips, yogurt parfaits, etc.

Another fantastic system to put in place is making your calendar work for you. Some people love a written to-do-list 🙋🏼‍♀️ and some add everything to their phone. I like a mix of both. There is something so therapeutic about putting goals, meetings, and mantras in writing and this planner is the only one that doesn’t go to the planner graveyard a few months in to the year. I spend some quiet time on Sunday evening with both in-hand, and make sure it all lines up for the week ahead. It’s also a perfect moment to look at your goals and ask yourself if what you have on your to-do-list lines up with what you hope to accomplish (big picture-wise)…or is it just busy work?

What is in your self-care routine? We’d love to hear about it in the comments. Thank you for spending a slice of your day with us 💙. We hope this finds you well + joyful!