The right way to do a Sunday reset
Have you tried a ‘Sunday reset’ yet? Maybe you have and you don’t even know it! This personalised routine has become an essential part of the weekend for many. It gets your home, and your mind prepped for the week ahead, leaving you feeling both relaxed and accomplished.
But what exactly is a Sunday reset and what do you need to do to try it for yourself? This guide breaks down everything you need to know.
What is a Sunday reset?
A Sunday reset is a chance to prep yourself for the week ahead and make time for the things that mean the most. It’s more than just tackling routine chores: a Sunday reset can benefit you mentally and leave you feeling refreshed for the start of the week.
Women’s counsellor, Georgina Sturmer, believes that the ‘Sunday reset’ is partly about finding control in our busy lives. “[It] has a lot to do with finding ways to relax and feel peaceful, but also to create order when we are surrounded by so many things that are out of control,” she says.
“[It’s about] understanding the factors that make us feel stressed, and finding ways to tackle them before they escalate.”
Self-improvement author, Tanith Carey, agreed — and shared that the ‘Sunday reset’ is a ritual she partakes in herself. “I clear away any clothes, nick-nacks, or things that need to be put away, that prevent me from thinking clearly. In our hunter-gatherer days, our brains were designed to scan our horizons for immediate threat. Too much stuff obscures that view, even if there is nothing in the vicinity that wants to eat us.”
“I also do a Sunday decluttering reset because research shows that people in chaotic environments have been found to feel more out of control of their lives and less likely to make better choices for their health and wellbeing,” Carey adds.
So, there it is: your family’s rogue floor socks and dirty dishes really do affect you day-to-day. Ready to make better choices and get in control of this darn mess? Enter the ‘Sunday reset.’
How to do a Sunday reset
There’s no right or wrong way to do a Sunday reset, but it should be tailored to you, and what means the most to you. Some examples of tasks include meal-prepping for the week ahead, so you know what you’re going to eat each day and don’t need to worry about running out of ingredients.
Emma Franklin, Cookery Editor at GH says: “I like to make a big batch of something hearty that will see me through multiple meals during the week, there's nothing quite like having a big pot of something delicious in your fridge to help when things get frazzled.
“Something like a bean-rich stew, mellow curry or meaty ragu is good, as the flavours will continue to improve as it keeps. Divide some into plastic containers for lunches (don't forget something to go with it - I like cous cous, bulgur wheat or chunky boiled potatoes, but thick slices of bread are also good) and keep the rest in the pot, so you can adjust it during the week to stop you getting bored.”
Others change their bedding over; fresh sheets for a fresh start so to speak. Personally, the fresh scent from the wash always brings me comfort and helps me fall asleep. I also use this day as an opportunity to sort through those items in my laundry basket that escape the standard wash; hand wash only items and bulky items, like shower mats for example.
Dunelm Super Soft Bedding Set
Crisp white sheets are the epitome of a clean home, and this super-soft plain set looks fresh. A steal at just £10 for a double.
Gingham Linen Double Duvet Cover
For something a little more luxurious, Piglet in Bed’s popular gingham is iconic.
Available in a range of colours to match your bedroom and made from 100% linen, it’s super soft, stylish and a real treat. In fact, Piglet's linen range is one of the softest we've tried.
Woolroom Catarina 100% Linen Duvet Cover
Linen is on the pricier end of the bedding spectrum — but it's worth it. For a bit of super soft luxury, linen is a real treat; Woolroom's dusty pink is one of my favourites.
Washed Waffle Bedding Set
Marks’ is great at affordable luxury when it comes to bedding, giving us soft sheets for less. Waffle is a must for that hotel feeling at home, and at under £50 for a pure cotton double, we’re impressed.
Washed Waffle Bedding Set
Marks’ is great at affordable luxury when it comes to bedding, giving us soft sheets for less.
Waffle is a must for that hotel feeling at home — and at under £50 for a pure cotton double, we’re impressed.
You might want to make time for a light gym session, or yoga or meditation or whatever relaxes you. Even lighting a candle can give you a positive outset. According to Sarah Maber, GH’s News and Features Director:
“Both yoga and meditation are scientifically-proven ways to destress, replenish your energy, and enhance your overall well-being. As practices, they improve your mood, increase mindfulness – your ability to enjoy the present moment – and help calm emotions, all in just a few minutes a day.”
If you’re just starting out with your Sunday reset, it’s worth trying out a few different tasks and seeing what brings you the most satisfaction. Remember a Sunday reset isn’t about overloading yourself with chores, it’s about finding the best way to start the week and giving yourself a positive and relaxed outlook to make things easier. It may take time to grow and develop, but by finding the right balance, your Sunday reset can make the biggest difference to your week.
Other ideas for a Sunday reset include:
Decluttering your handbag to get rid of old receipts.
Emptying the pockets of your coats, so there’s no spare change or used tissues.
Sorting out any shoes which have gathered by the front door.
Emptying and cleaning the coffee machine, giving the drip tray a well-needed scrub.
Emptying the crumb tray from your toaster.
Replacing the bathroom bin.
Tackling school-related tasks, like washing the uniform and gym kit, and checking on outstanding homework.
Taking care of your pets, such as cleaning the litter box, trimming claws, and brushing out fur.
Taking the dog for a walk to enjoy the outdoors.
Decluttering the car and giving it a wash.
Soaking your plants in the sink.
The sky is really the limit on what you can do with your Sunday reset. Give yourself a chance to try it and see what a difference it can make!
Sunday reset deep cleaning essentials
Your Sunday reset starts with a deep clean — here are our top picks to get the job done.
Decco White Vinegar
White vinegar is a gem for fighting tough grime and limescale — particularly in the bathroom. We use this dirt-buster for around the taps and shower, and it also works well on glass and mirrors.
It does leave a bit of a lingering smell behind so you may want to light up a candle afterwards (more on that later).
Note: don’t mix white vinegar and bleach together because it can be harmful.
Duzzit Baking Soda Household Cleaner
Baking soda is an essential for your cleaning kit. It can be used almost anywhere to gently lift dirt, but we find it’s best to leave some in your toilet bowl, bath or shower and pop back later to make cleaning easier.
It can also be used on tough stains on clothing and carpets, and works as a great grease-buster.
Scrub Daddy Original Sponge Twin Pack
Who knew a sponge could become iconic? Scrub Daddy did exactly that with its smiley scrubbers. They’re odour-resistant and scratch-free for those grubbier areas and won’t leave marks on your hob.
The brand’s Damp Duster is also a hit with the Good Housekeeping team, smoothly wiping away dust from your surfaces with less airborne dirt.
Method Antibacterial Spray
Many household cleaning sprays are not actually anti-bacterial, and that’s why we love Method.
Rest assured that your surfaces are truly clean with its all-purpose spray, suitable for any room — plus, it doesn’t smell like anti-bac, it smells like sweet rhubarb. You can also buy refills to reduce your plastic use.
SonicScrubber Household Combi Brush
The SonicScrubber is an essential for a deep clean. Use it on grout, behind taps, and in all those hard-to-reach areas and watch the dirt wash away.
This handy electric scrubber will do most of the work for you, for a shiny sink with less of the elbow grease. Read our review.
Astonish Toilet Cleaning Foam Action Tabs
A pink, fizzing toilet bowl is undoubtedly one of the best parts of a deep clean.
To truly feel you’re getting through that grime and ending up with a shiny loo is what it’s all about — simply drop these fizzers into the bowl, wait 20 minutes and flush.
Stardrops The Pink Stuff Miracle Cleaning Set
If you haven’t got your hands on The Pink Stuff yet, your Sunday deep clean is just the time.
Ideal for cleaning the oven and hob, the cream and paste options work brilliantly with the SonicScrubber (or a traditional scourer) to pick up grease and grime. They're thick, so you don’t need much to get going.
Jimmy JV35 Mattress Vacuum Cleaner
Cleaning your mattress isn’t the most exciting job, but you’ll certainly feel the benefit of it. Feeling clean is as important as being clean — and a mattress vacuum makes that much easier.
Designed specifically for use on your bed, this handy portable vacuum cleaner makes light work of picking up dust from your mattress and pillows, ready for new sheets.
Dr.Beckmann Service-it Deep Clean Washing Machine Cleaner
Having a clean washing machine means having clean clothes — and generally speaking, washing machines don’t get much love.
Simply pop in a cleaning capsule and run an empty load while you move on to another room, and when you come back any odours and bacteria will be gone.
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