I’ve always loved a weekend with minimal plans—when the days feel open, almost expansive, as if anything could happen. (And if what needs to happen is a nap, I’m willing to embrace that journey.) While my early twenties were spent chasing one plan after the next (fueled, if I’m honest, by FOMO and too much coffee), I’ve come to learn that joy doesn’t always live in the hustle. Sometimes, it’s in the quietest moments: sipping my morning beverage in bed, a walk with no destination, or a Sunday afternoon spent baking the hours away.
Now, my healthy weekend habits prioritize three things: connection, inspiration, and rest. Here’s how I’m redefining my weekends—and the simple shifts that help me feel more like myself by Monday.
Feature image by Michelle Nash.
6 Healthy Weekend Habits to Set You Up for Success
Of course, a “healthy” weekend doesn’t mean you have to check off a list of wellness tasks. I’ve found the most nourishing weekends often feel the least productive on paper—but they leave me feeling deeply restored. It’s about tuning in rather than trying to optimize every hour. What does your body need? What does your mind crave? When we allow ourselves to ask those questions, our weekends become something more than just a break from work—they become a return to ourselves.
Whether you’re looking to quiet the Sunday scaries or want to feel more grounded and energized by the start of the work week, these healthy weekend habits are simple shifts that can make a big difference. You don’t need a full calendar or a packed gym schedule to make the most of your time off. Sometimes, the most intentional choices are the smallest ones.
Ahead, I’m sharing the six habits that have transformed my weekends—and helped me step into the week ahead with a clearer, calmer mind.
1. Start Your Morning Slowly
Let go of the weekday rush and embrace a more mindful start.
Weekday mornings are often a blur of alarms, emails, and trying to remember if you left the oven on (did I even turn it on?). But the weekend? That’s your chance to reclaim the beginning of your day. There’s no better time to swap the rush for ease—to linger in bed a little longer, to sip your coffee while watching the sunlight filter in, to notice the quiet. These small shifts can change how the rest of your day unfolds.
Let yourself sleep in a little (yes, really). Make a slow breakfast—pancakes or toast with salty butter—and open the windows. Without the pressure to “get going,” you’re free to tune into what you need: stillness, nourishment, and maybe a moment of creativity. A slow start isn’t lazy—it’s luxurious.
Try this: Create a weekend morning ritual. Whether it’s journaling, stretching, or simply enjoying your coffee without your phone nearby, let it be something that grounds you.
2. Move in a Way That Feels Good
Ditch the pressure to “go hard” and tune into what your body needs.
We’ve been conditioned to treat workouts as another thing to accomplish. But on the weekend, what if movement wasn’t about metrics—but about mood? You don’t have to push yourself to the limit to feel good. Moving in gentler ways often brings more energy than exhaustion.
For me, that’s often a long walk with a podcast (The Interview is my current favorite), a gentle yoga session, or dancing around my kitchen while making lunch—one of the many benefits of work-from-home days. The best low-impact workouts are the ones that reconnect you to joy—whether it’s moving your body, clearing your mind, or simply remembering what it feels like to have fun.
Try this: Ask yourself, What kind of movement would feel really good today? Then honor the answer. It might be a hike, or it might be nothing at all. Both answers are valid.
3. Plan (But Don’t Over-Schedule) Your Meals
A little prep goes a long way—especially on Sunday nights.
When Sunday night rolls around, the last thing you want is the stress of “what’s for dinner?” That’s where a little meal planning can make all the difference—not strict meal-prepping, but gentle intention. Think of it as setting your future self up with small wins.
I like to make a few healthy staples in bulk—roasted veggies, quinoa, maybe a soup or a protein I can throw into a salad. Not only does it help me feel organized for the week, but it also takes the pressure off Monday night. And let’s be real: having something cozy and nourishing waiting in the fridge makes the whole week feel a bit more manageable.
Try this: There’s no better place to start your journey than with Camille’s easy meal-prep tips.
4. Get Outside for a Reset
Fresh air can change everything.
We spend so much time indoors—glued to screens, surrounded by artificial light, moving from one task to the next. Simply stepping outside can be a reset. Whether it’s a walk through the park, sitting on your front porch, or heading to the farmer’s market, getting under the sky reminds us we’re part of something bigger.
Nature doesn’t have to be dramatic to be impactful. Even five minutes of sunshine on your face or noticing the way the wind moves the trees can rewire your brain in real time. It’s one of the most accessible ways to feel calmer, clearer, and more alive.
Try this: Designate a tech-free hour outside. No scrolling, no emails—just you, the fresh air, and maybe a friend or a good book.
5. Make Space for What Fills You Up
If it makes you feel more like yourself, make time for it.
It’s easy to let weekends become catch-up time: laundry, errands, cleaning. But if that’s all your weekend holds, you miss the chance to reconnect with joy. Making space for the things that fill you up—creatively, spiritually, emotionally—isn’t optional. It’s essential.
That might look like painting, reading fiction, or catching up with someone you love. For me, it’s returning to the small pleasures that serve no productive purpose but somehow leave me feeling whole again. The point isn’t to check off a task—it’s to remember what makes you you.
Try this: Schedule “joy time” the same way you’d schedule errands. I love setting aside a few hours to get lost in my current hyper-fixation read or to bake something for a friend. Whatever it is that lights you up, dedicate time to exactly that.
6. Reflect & Set Intentions for the Week Ahead
A few minutes of reflection can carry you through the week.
The end of the weekend can bring a kind of emotional whiplash—Sunday night rolls in and suddenly you’re back in planning mode. But instead of diving straight into logistics, what if you began with presence? A short moment to reflect, acknowledge, and gently pivot toward the week ahead.
On Sunday evenings, I try to pause. I light a candle, grab my journal, and ask a few simple questions: What felt good this weekend? What do I want more of? What do I want less of? It doesn’t have to be deep or even particularly structured—it just helps me shift from reactive to intentional.
Try this: Spend five minutes writing down your top three priorities for the week, one thing you’re looking forward to, and one way you’ll take care of yourself. It’s a powerful practice that helps you transition into Monday feeling aligned.
The Takeaway
The beauty of healthy weekend habits isn’t in how productive they make you—it’s in how connected they help you feel. To your body, your mind, and your joy. It’s easy to treat weekends like a second job, filled with to-dos and pressure to “make the most of it.” But the real magic happens when we slow down, listen in, and give ourselves permission to rest, reset, and do the things that make us feel most alive. The simplest rituals—a quiet morning, a long walk, a homemade meal—can be the most transformative. And when we approach our weekends with intention, we step into Monday not just ready, but renewed.
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Camille Styles
