Dealing with the Sunday scaries? Doing a Sunday reset can help by setting you up for a productive week ahead. Below, experts explain why doing a Sunday reset can boost your productivity throughout the week.
Let’s face it: The workweek is long and often draining, so anything you can do to get a leg up on the week gets our stamp of approval. Enter: The Sunday reset.
Sunday reset has nearly 579 million views on TikTok and involves taking care of all those pesky household chores (think: cooking and cleaning) so you don’t have to worry about them throughout the week. Not only is it majorly satisfying to watch (seriously, we’ve been scrolling through these videos for days), but it’s also beneficial IRL. Experts break down everything you need to know about the Sunday reset trend and explain why it can lead to a more productive week.
What Is a Sunday Reset?
A Sunday reset involves taking time on a Sunday to complete different household chores such as laundry, cleaning, and cooking. The idea is to take care of these tasks when you have the time instead of stressing about them during the workweek.
The concept of doing chores on a Sunday (or on your off days) isn’t particularly groundbreaking. However, the idea that doing so can set yourself up for a more productive workweek is true, according to experts.
It should be noted that not everyone has the same working schedule—meaning you don’t have to do these tasks on Sunday to reap the benefits. You can take care of these chores any day of the week. And, if you don’t have enough time to do all of these tasks while you’re off, doing just one or two can still help.
Sunday Reset Routine
While there are no official rules for a Sunday reset, based on TikToks, there are a few tasks you should aim to cross off your list. These include:
- Grocery shopping
- Laundry
- Meal prepping
- Cleaning
- Unwinding
If you’re thinking to yourself, “Isn’t that just life?” the key here is the intentionality you put behind getting these things done and out of the way to make future you a little bit less stressed.
Depending on your lifestyle and what you need to feel ready to take on a week, your Sunday reset may be different. Some other ideas you may incorporate are:
- Planning your weekly workouts
- Planning your kids’ lunches
- Calling a friend or family member
- Going through emails
While we’re huge proponents of Doing It All, the truth is that’s not a very sustainable approach to life, so don’t skip the “unwind” step. Not only is rest and relaxation important in your weekend, it’s also necessary: Research shows that we need rest (seven different kinds of rest, in fact) in order to truly feel recharged.
Benefits of Doing a Sunday Reset
So, why should you add a Sunday reset into your weekly schedule? Here are six reasons, according to experts.
1. It Will Increase Productivity Throughout the Week
By completing a Sunday reset, you’re essentially eliminating potential stress throughout the week—which can increase productivity. In fact, one study found that higher stress levels were directly linked to lower productivity levels. “It clears your mind to do the other things that you need to do, as you aren’t thinking about the responsibilities that you managed on Sunday,” explains Nancy Mramor, PhD, a licensed clinical, media, and health psychologist. “You are more effective when you have a clear head for your days.”
For example, having fresh laundry allows for advanced outfit planning, giving you more time in the mornings. Plus, having a clean space impacts productivity levels. “A clean, organized house is appealing visually and creates a sense of calm rather than a sense of chaos that comes from clutter,” Dr. Mramor says. “You are always more productive when calm.”
It’s true: Research shows that our work environments directly impact our productivity. So, try and tidy up your workspace during your Sunday reset (and the rest of your space too—you’ll feel calmer almost instantly).
2. You Can Focus on What Really Matters
Another pro of the Sunday reset? “You can soar more effectively through your days and have more time every day for things that matter such as health and personal goals,” Dr. Mramor says.
That’s because your mind won’t be racing thinking about all the chores you still have to do during the week. This provides a special opportunity, Dr. Mramor says. “You can be more present at work and with your family, enhancing relationships when you are available for them, as opposed to being caught up in responsibilities.”
3. It Can Help You Overcome Procrastination
It’s easy to procrastinate on these kinds of tasks because, TBH, they’re not the most fun. But procrastination isn’t a sign of laziness; it’s actually much deeper than that. “Procrastination is a stress response and also a form of avoidance,” Dr. Mramor explains. “There may be a fear of failure or a fear of success that a person is avoiding or it may be as simple as fatigue.” By adding this into your weekend routine, you’re confronting this stress response and perhaps even eliminating it (which can lower your overall stress—another win for productivity levels).
4. It Can Improve Your Sleep
You already know how important sleep is for productivity: One study from SLEEP found that just getting five to six hours of sleep led to a 19 percent decrease in productivity. Those who got five hours of sleep suffered a 29 percent decrease in productivity. But here’s the good news: Doing a Sunday reset can actually help you get more sleep (which can improve your productivity greatly). “One of the main benefits of the Sunday reset is that sleep is easier and deeper when your mind isn’t racing with all of the responsibilities of home.”
5. It Can Help You Eat Healthier
We know how tempting it is to order out on super busy days. But if you’re trying to eat healthier, eating at home is usually the best option. Prepping your food ahead of time is one way to help yourself avoid the take-out trap. Plus, it can save you time and energy since you don’t need to spend time cooking every day. “Half the battle is thinking about what to eat, so I find it super helpful to already have my menu planned out,” says Gaby Vaca-Flores, RDN, CLE, HUM Nutrition’s education specialist.
“For a busy week, I buy staple items that require minimal prep. Think: Tortillas that I can use to quickly put together a wrap or burrito, frozen berries that can be whipped up into a smoothie bowl, or premade salad mix and croutons that can easily be tossed with chicken that was prepped earlier in the week,” she says. “On busy days, I reach for frozen vegan nuggets or pizza made with chickpea flour.”
6. You Can Tailor It to Your Life
One of the best parts about the Sunday reset is that there’s no one correct way to do it. You can adapt the trend to best suit your needs—whether that means doing the chores on a different day, splitting them up among several days, or doing them during the week to take small breaks from your work. Do whatever works best for you, and enjoy the extra stress-free time you have during the busier days.
