How to Recharge Over the Weekend (Without Losing Monday Momentum)
Jun 25, 2025
The Weekend Reset We All Need
For a long time, my weekends were either jam-packed with errands and social obligations, or they blurred into one long work session as I tried to “catch up.” By Monday morning, I didn’t feel recharged—I felt like I needed a weekend from my weekend.
Sound familiar? If your weekends aren’t leaving you rested and ready, you’re not alone. Many high achievers struggle to fully unplug or use the weekend to recover—especially if they’re juggling caregiving, side hustles, or never-ending to-do lists. But a weekend reset doesn’t require a full lifestyle overhaul. With a few intentional shifts, you can use the weekend to both recharge your energy and start Monday strong.
1) Protect “Bookend Time” at the Start and End of the Weekend
The way you start and end your weekend shapes how restorative it is. Most people dive into chores right after work on Friday and fill Sunday with planning or stress. By protecting your bookends, you set a more peaceful tone.
Why It Works:
- Studies show that people who schedule transition time experience lower stress and feel more in control (Kühnel et al., 2016).
- Slowing down at key moments helps the brain switch modes and reset more fully.
How to Use It:
- Friday wind-down: Choose a ritual that shifts you out of work mode—a walk, a favorite meal, music.
- Sunday reset: End your day with calming, non-work tasks like prepping meals, journaling, or planning a moment of joy for Monday.
Try This: Create a 30-minute ritual for both Friday evening and Sunday night that marks the transition in and out of your weekend. No screens allowed.
2) Build in One “True Rest” Block—And Protect It Fiercely
We tend to either overschedule weekends or let them slip by unintentionally. The antidote? A scheduled block of true rest—where you do nothing productive and allow your mind and body to reset.
Why It Works:
- Intentional rest boosts cognitive performance and resilience (Sonnentag & Fritz, 2015).
- Without scheduled rest, high performers tend to fill space with more tasks.
How to Use It:
- Block 1–2 hours for rest with no goals or expectations.
- Let it be unstructured—lounging, reading, walking slowly, doing nothing.
- If needed, communicate boundaries with others so this time is respected.
Try This: Look at your weekend schedule and add one rest block now. Label it “sacred reset”—because that’s exactly what it is.
3) Use Microplanning to Make Monday Feel Manageable
You don’t need to plan your entire week on Sunday. A simple 10-minute check-in can help you start Monday feeling clear and centered—without turning Sunday into a workday.
Why It Works:
- Microplanning reduces Sunday anxiety by giving your brain a sense of control without overloading it (Baumeister & Tierney, 2011).
- A small plan helps prevent decision fatigue on Monday morning.
How to Use It:
- Set a 10-minute timer on Sunday evening.
- Jot down your top 3 priorities for Monday.
- Choose one easy win task to start your day with momentum.
Try This: Add your Sunday microplanning session to your calendar with an alert. Keep it brief and gentle—this isn’t another to-do list, it’s a kindness to your future self.
A Weekend That Refuels and Prepares You
Your weekend doesn’t have to be “productive” to be powerful. With a little structure, a little rest, and a little intention, you can make space for renewal and set yourself up for a smoother week ahead.
The question isn’t “How much did I get done?” It’s “How do I feel going into Monday?”
What’s one shift you can make this weekend to recharge more fully?
References
Baumeister, R. F., & Tierney, J. (2011). Willpower: Rediscovering the greatest human strength. Penguin.
Baumeister, R. F., & Tierney, J. (2011). Willpower: Rediscovering the greatest human strength. Penguin.
Kühnel, J., Zacher, H., de Bloom, J., & Geurts, S. A. E. (2016). Take a break! Benefits of sleep and short breaks for daily work engagement. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 21(1), 37–46.
Sonnentag, S., & Fritz, C. (2015). Recovery from job stress: The stressor-detachment model as an integrative framework. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 36(S1), S72–S103.
