When your schedule gets hectic, finding time for relaxation can sometimes be a challenge. Make sure to give yourself some time to rest and recharge, even when life gets busy. Whether it’s savoring a sweet treat, having an at-home spa day, or sipping a mocktail with a friend, these easy activities will have you feeling refreshed in no time.
1. Have an at-home spa day
Cold winter air can leave your skin in need of a little pampering. Rejuvenate your skin with a face mask or relax in the tub with an easy DIY bath bomb that will leave your skin feeling smooth.
Get the recipe: DIY Bath Bombs
2. Sip without screens
Take a break from your phone notifications for a moment of peace and quiet. Try leaving your phone in another room while you relax with a hot drink.
Learn more: Our Very Best Winter Recipes for Tea Drinkers
3. Buy yourself flowers
Who says you need a special occasion to have a beautiful bouquet? Perk up your dining table with a vase filled with cheerful flowers.
Learn more: Simple Ways to Get More Life Out of Your Flowers
4. Make a new recipe you’ve been meaning to try
Whether you’re craving a restaurant favorite and want to recreate it in the comfort of your own home, or you want to try cooking a new type of cuisine, try shaking things up with a new recipe. You may even find a new go-to for your weekly recipe rotation.
Try these: 40 Best Recipes to Break You Out of Your Winter Rut
5. Enjoy mocktails with a friend
Catching up with a friend is a great way to destress, especially during the colder months. Make the occasion even more special by creating an easy and delicious mocktail for the two of you to enjoy together.
Try Our: Mocktails
6. Have a movie night
Invite friends, family, or your significant other over for a cozy at-home movie night. You can vote on a movie title, do a double feature, or host a movie marathon so everyone gets a chance to pick their favorites. Just don’t forget the popcorn!
Learn more: Movie Marathon Popcorn Upgrades
7. Create a morning routine
This may not seem like a way to treat yourself but trust us here. Forming a solid morning routine can help get the day off to a less stressful start and give you some precious time to yourself later in the day (time for a mocktail, maybe?). Don’t forget to fit a healthy breakfast into your new routine!
Get the recipe: Morning Mocha-Coffee Smoothie
8. Make an energizing lunch
When your schedule starts filling up, it can be tempting to let lunchtime fall by the wayside. Lunch, however, can be the key to fighting off the afternoon slump. Make sure you balance protein and other key nutrients to help you power through the rest of your day.
Get the recipe: Sesame Chicken and Rice Salad with Edamame
9. Enjoy a chocolatey treat with added benefits
Everybody loves chocolate, and enjoying a sweet treat is an easy way to add a bright spot to your day. Despite popular belief, enjoying a chocolatey dessert like a brownie isn’t necessarily unhealthy. A batch of brownies is a great place to include a superfood like beets for added vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, and more. qaswdce
Get the recipe: Beet Brownies
10. Connect with friends over a new hobby
When is the last time you did something new? Picking up a new hobby can take you out of a rut and add some joy to your life. Even better if you get together with others. Creating a cooking club with friends and neighbors is an easy way to swap recipes and tips and you know there will always be something good to eat at the end!
Learn more: How to Start a Cooking Club
11. Spend time with furry friends
You’ve probably heard the saying that dogs are man’s best friend, but did you know they can actually help improve your mental health? Spending time with pets is a fun way to lower stress levels and remind yourself to appreciate the simple things in life. If your furry friend is a dog, going on regular walks with them will also boost your mood and improve your physical health. Don’t have a pet of your own? Offer to pet sit for a family member, friend, or neighbor. Not only will it help you feel good but it will also keep you in tune with your mental health which is a double win in our books.
Get the recipe: Pumpkin-Peanut Butter Dog Treats
12. Take time to wind down before bed
After a busy day, it can sometimes be a challenge to quiet your mind before bed. Give yourself some time to unwind at the end of the day to help ensure that you get a more restful sleep. Try following a 5-minute meditation and enjoying a relaxing cup of tea to set the mood.
Get the recipe: Sleepy Time Tea
13. Start a journal
Take just a few minutes to write your intentions for the day, check in with yourself, keep track of your goals for the new year, or anything you choose. Even short daily journal entries can help you look back on important patterns in your everyday life and see what habits you might want to change or keep.
Learn more: Tips for Making Resolutions from Nutritionists & 7 Ways to Start the New Year Off on the Right Foot
14. Connect with nature at home
While starting an outdoor garden may not always be feasible due to weather or space constraints, that doesn’t mean you can’t get growing. Your kitchen windowsill can be a great spot to start a mini-indoor garden. Before you go out to buy seeds from a gardening store, check to see what kind of produce you have that may be able to be regrown at home.
Learn more: How to Regrow Produce from Leftover Veggies
