9 Productive Things To Do On Sunday For A Better Week

Suffering from Sunday blues? These productive things to do on Sunday will take off your stress and prepare you for next week.

A Sunday well spent brings a week of content.

Raise your hand if you have experienced Sunday blues. I have. As the last day of the weekend, Sunday is often seen as pre-Monday. On Sunday afternoon, I would start to think about the unchecked items on my to-do list. And it gives me anxiety. Tell me I am not the only one.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. Sunday can be relaxing and productive at the same time. Instead of sitting on the sofa, watching Netflix, and worrying about tomorrow, you can make your Sunday meaningful and joyous. With the small changes to your Sunday routine, you can be better prepared for both physically and mentally coming week.

So if you want to make full use of your Sunday with less stress, this list of productive things to do on Sunday may be for you. Scroll on, and I will walk you through one by one.

As a reminder, you don’t need to schedule all of them in one day. Instead, try one or two items each time. If they make you feel better, then make them your Sunday habits.

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Productive Things to do on Sunday

Review and reflect

While you don’t need to make up for what you left last week on Sunday, it’s always helpful to review and reflect. Reflection gives you more clarity so you can improve going forward.

To do so, start by asking yourself these questions:

What are the three most important tasks I’ve done this week?
What is my biggest achievement?
Is there something I should do this week but haven’t? Why?
How can I do better?
What are the proportions of time I spent on work, family, self-care, and leisure?
What is my biggest challenge in the upcoming week?

By answering these questions, you will better understand your progress of the week. And by identifying room for improvement, you can avoid making the same mistakes and find a better approach. Learning from the past can help you to be more productive in the future.

Declutter and organize

Organizing is so important. It can do wonders both physically and mentally.

If you have a cluttered space, for example, your room or your closet, you may have wasted a lot of time navigating through the messes.

So among all productive things to do on Sunday, decluttering and organizing is my go-to. You can schedule one area at a time and start as small as a drawer, your desk, or a bookshelf.

When your place is organized and tidy, you will be able to locate what you need. Talking about a major time-saver here. And it also makes you feel you have more control over your life. So you have more confidence tackling other things in life as well.

Create a list of podcasts and audiobooks

One way to have a more productive week is to maximize the use of your time. And if you spend more than 30 minutes on the daily commute, podcasts and audiobooks are for you. You can learn so much about the topics you are interested in on the way to work.

And Sunday is the best time to create playlists for them. Type in the keywords on Spotify, iTunes, or the service you use, and you will find podcasts you are interested in.

In terms of audiobooks, Audible has an extensive collection with a 30-day free trial. You can also go to Amazon or Goodreads to find the books you want to read and search for audio versions on Audible.

Once you have your playlists, you can grab and go on weekdays. It will not only make your week more productive, but you may also find a new passion and develop new insights.

Unplug

While you may be tied to your phone or computer on weekdays, Sunday is the time to take a break. By unplugging from electronics, you will have more quality time with your family. It also reduces your stress when your phone is not buzzing every 2 minutes.

Schedule and prioritize

One of the most productive things to do on Sunday is to plan ahead. List the tasks for next week, both on work and life, and start prioritizing.

What are the things that have to get done this week?

Are there any meetings or appointments?

These two categories are what I call fixed items – the things that have to happen. Schedule them first. You can schedule around these items for other tasks, so you won’t need to tackle two things at a time.

Also, be mindful of what you put in your schedule. Make sure you fill your needs before jumping on to help others. On the other hand, if your days are packed, don’t feel guilty to turn down favors.

Get active

If you work a corporate job 9 to 5 or study full time, you may have spent hours sitting at your desk daily. If so, Sunday is the day to move your body and stretch those muscles!

Physical exercises can raise your energy level and increase the release of dopamine – the happy hormone.

And most people dread exercises because working out seems painful to them. You feel like you have to lift weights or run a 5k to call it a workout. But it doesn’t have to be.

If you are not used to high-intensity exercises, start with yoga or walking. If you are bored with your regular workouts, try dancing or hiking. Find the ways that suit you and switch things up occasionally. This way, you can make exercising a productive Sunday habit and take care of your body for weeks to come.

Take up a new hobby

One of the most productive things to do on Sunday is to make time for your hobbies. Instead of binge-watching Netflix, you can draw a self-portrait, go hiking, or crafting.

Spending time on hobbies takes the mind off your day-to-day. And it also opens the door for self-growth

For example, writing a story lets your imagination run wild and boosts your creativity. Fishing teaches patience. And ballroom dancing trains you how to partner with others.

And on top of the benefits, a hobby should be something you enjoy. Find your passion, and your Sunday can be just as fulfilling as any other day of the week.

Don’t know where to start? Here is a list of relaxing hobbies to try this Sunday.

Meal-prep and grocery shopping

If you have a busy schedule, chances are you don’t have much time to cook or shop on weekdays. But that doesn’t mean you need to rely on fast food or takeaways. Meal-prepping helps you to stay on a healthy diet without spending too much time cooking.

First, plan your meals for the week. Make sure that you have enough vegetables and protein every day. Then, write down the food you need and go grocery shopping.

When you get everything ready, cook ahead and store your meals in sealed containers. If cooking for 5 days in advance seems intimidating, you can always prepare the meals for the first three days. And when you have time in the middle of the week, you can get the rest done.

This way, you don’t need to figure out what to eat after a long day. Instead, you will come home with a healthy dinner waiting for you. Cooking in bulk also saves time and money.

Learn something new

Sunday is the best day for self-growth as you have the entire day to yourself. And what you learn doesn’t have to be related to your job or study.

Learning is a skill that needs to be trained. The more you learn, the better you are at learning. And the ability to learn quickly will benefit not only your work but your life in the long term. So why not dedicate this Sunday to your personal growth?

It can be a new language, a subject you are interested in, or a new skill. There are many courses you can take online. And you can also go to Youtube to learn almost anything you want, such as drawing and coding.

Which of these productive things to do on Sunday will you try?

If you have a Sunday habit that is a game-changer for you, share in the comment below or tag @_OurMindfulLife on Instagram to share!