Feeling like you’ve fallen off the healthy habits wagon and your goals are feeling pretty far away? It might be time for a little break.
What’s the Deal?
A reset day is basically a chill eight-hour block where you can hit pause, regroup, and tackle everything that’s been stressing you out. When life gets overwhelming, taking a day to reset can really help clear your head and give you a fresh start.
Try to carve out a weekday for this. Sure, weekends are tempting, but you’ll probably have other stuff going on, and some tasks are just easier to tackle when everyone else is busy with their own weekend plans.
How to Set Up Your Reset Day
- Block Off Eight Hours
You don’t have to spend exactly an hour on each task. If you finish something quickly, move on! If something takes longer, just set it aside for now. The goal is to get through all the steps, and you can wrap up any loose ends later. - Tidy Up Your Space
A clean space can help clear your mind. Start with the basics:
- Do the dishes.
- Clear off kitchen counters and wipe them down.
- Put everything back where it belongs.
- Make your bed.
- Take out the trash.
- Vacuum any visible dust and debris.
- Get Your Thoughts on Paper
Sometimes we get stuck because our minds are racing with unfinished tasks and questions. Jot down what’s been on your mind in different areas of your life. For example:
- How do I do squats correctly?
- What can I eat on the keto diet?
- When should I plan my next vacation?
- What haircut should I get?
- Which book should I read next?
- Knock Out Quick Tasks
Go through your to-do list and star anything that can be done in under ten minutes. Examples include:
- Schedule a doctor’s appointment.
- Watch a quick video on squats.
- Call a plumber.
- Pay some bills.
- Back up your computer.
- Message a friend about hanging out.
Try to check off as many of these as you can, but after an hour, move on to the next step.
- Think About Your Long-Term Goals
Once you’ve tackled the small stuff, it’s time to focus on the bigger picture. Ask yourself:
- Am I making progress?
- Do I still want to achieve this goal?
- What can I do right now to get closer?
- What habit can I start today to speed things up?
If you don’t have any big goals yet, spend this hour figuring them out.
- Create (or Revamp) Your Daily Routine
Without a routine, your day can feel all over the place. Instead of planning every hour, try mapping out your mornings and evenings. Decide when you’ll go to bed and wake up, and what you’ll do in those two hours before bed and after waking up.
If your current routine isn’t working, tweak it to fit your life better. Focus on the most important tasks and don’t stress about getting everything done.
- Address What’s Been Holding You Back
Don’t just rely on your reset day. Think about what’s been derailing you—whether it’s a messy home, too much screen time, or a lack of routine. Make a plan to tackle these issues so you don’t have to keep hitting the reset button. - Wrap Up Loose Ends
If there’s anything important you didn’t get to earlier, now’s your chance to finish it up. - Chill Out
After a productive day, treat yourself to something relaxing. Take a nap, get a massage, enjoy a bath, or go for a walk. Do something fun, like binge-watching your favorite show. It’s not just a treat; it’s essential to recharge so you can tackle your goals with fresh energy!
