How to Have a Relaxing Day: 5 Easy, Affordable Ideas

Inside: Escape the pressure and stress of your life with some rejuvenating downtime. Here are 5 low-effort ideas for how to have a relaxing day. Plus 6 pro tips for taking it from idea to reality.

I shot up in bed as I startled awake. My heart was pounding so hard, it drowned out everything else. Which is why it took a second before the sound registered—the one that jerked me out of my peaceful slumber.

Stupid alarm.

I’d have gladly tossed it out the window if it wasn’t also my phone. I hated it when I was scared awake. But I hated more what the alarm represented—another day of pressure and stress.

Ugh…sheer hell.

I’d never been the type who lived for the weekend. But just then, I’d have killed for a single relaxing day off.

One day free from responsibilities and worries. A day where I didn’t have to think about or do one blessed thing if I didn’t want to. Or see anyone I didn’t want to.

All I wanted was one day to focus on myself and take care of my soul without being made to feel guilty or selfish.

Ahhh…absolute heaven.

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The Secret Ingredient for How to Have a Relaxing Day

It wouldn’t have been so bad if I was hanging by a thread in only one area. But it felt like every part of my life was a blazing dumpster fire.

Maybe you’re wondering how to have a relaxing day because yours does too.

Maybe you’re miserable at work and need one relaxing day off from stressing about it. Or maybe you’re miserable at home, feeling not good enough for your partner, and need a relaxing day away from him. Or heck, maybe like I was, you’re stressed over feeling like God doesn’t love you and need a relaxing day off from worrying about it.

Whatever your situation, your soul is desperate to have a relaxing day.

Now, you could always wake up on your chosen relaxation day and wing it—do whatever pops into your mind, or even do nothing at all.

But in my experience, almost without fail, you end days like this feeling like something the cat dragged in. You’re more exhausted and stressed than you were at the start of the day. All because you missed the secret sauce for how to have a relaxing day, which is intention.

You’ll end your day of relaxation feeling rejuvenated and refreshed if you approach it with intentionality. This means you need a plan to do things that restore your soul.

This is the only way to have the relaxing day you’re dreaming of with no regrets at the end of it.

5 Easy Ideas to Have a Relaxing Day

Here’s what you won’t find on this list of relaxing day ideas:

Take a bubble bath infused with essential oils
Book yourself a spa day
Drink tons of herbal tea while you get artistic with a coloring book
Repeat positive affirmations all day

These are obvious and if you wanted to do them, you wouldn’t be looking for ideas on how to have a relaxing day.

Still, the 5 ideas below ideas aren’t ground-breaking. They’re not meant to be. You’re already tired and stressed so you don’t need to pile on a ton of planning for your relaxing day off.

This is why I’ve kept them simple and easy to plan and execute.

If you want, you can pick one of these ideas and do it for the entire day. Or you can choose more and spread them throughout the day.

You know what you need in order to feel relaxed at the end of the day. So pick one or any combination of these ideas for how to have a relaxing day.

Then I’ll give you 6 expert tips for planning and executing your day for maximum relaxation.

1. Escape to another world for a relaxing day.

What better way to relax than to ditch reality altogether? This is what you do when you lose yourself in an epic novel.

Picture this. You, in bed, cocooned in your favorite cozy blanket, with a mound of perfectly fluffed and placed pillows around you. And the topper—the best book you’ve ever read (until you find the next one) in your hands.

Your bedroom disappears as you visit far-off galaxies or magical lands. Or as you dive into a complex mystery or a hair-raising thriller. Or maybe as you tag along on a saga that spans generations.

Bliss.

Maybe you already have a favorite author whose latest book is on top of your to-be-read pile. But if you don’t, here are my top picks. They’re some of my personal favorites for how to have a relaxing day by losing yourself in another reality.

The Lord Of The Rings—an epic adventure story about courage, personal growth, and good vs. evil, set in the fantasy Middle Earth. It’s so big, you likely won’t finish it in one day. But you’re guaranteed a phenomenal book hangover.
The Murder At The Vicarage—a classic Miss Marple mystery from Agatha Christie.
The Da Vinci Code—also a gripping mystery, with adventure and code-breaking all over Europe.
The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency—the delightful first in a series set in Botswana. Follow Precious Ramotswe as she solves life’s fascinating little mysteries and discomforts for the people around her.
Michael Strogoff or, The Courier of the Czar—shiver through this tale of adventure, strength of character, and commitment set mostly in Siberia. It’s said to be one of Jules Vernes’ best books.

2. Have a binge-worthy relaxing day.

You can also ditch reality and have a relaxing day by escaping into a binge-worthy series.

New picture: You snuggled down on your couch with your favorite throw, pillows piled under your head, and your eyes riveted to the story unfolding on the screen in front of you.

The problem is, what should you binge-watch?

My suggestions will guarantee you have a relaxing day without leaving you wrung out and exhausted.

Planet Earth—not a movie but a series of BBC nature documentaries, narrated by David Attenborough. You’ll lose yourself in the wonder of nature without having to step foot out your front door.
The Lord of the Rings—the best book-to-film adaptation ever in the history of books and movies. The whole trilogy is well worth your relaxing day.
The Mission: Impossible movies—the heart-pounding action and impossible stunts are guaranteed to take you away from reality.
If you’re in the mood for mystery, Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple never disappoint.
Why not go to town on a few 80s and 90s nostalgia films? My top recommendations are Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Adventures In Babysitting, Clueless, and Raiders Of The Lost Ark.
If romance is your jam, Hallmark and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries never disappoint, especially around the holidays.

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3. Relax for the day with a crafting or DIY project.

Of course, you may want to stay home for your relaxing day but not lay around. In this case, a DIY or craft project is perfect for you. Here are a few ideas for projects you can finish in one day.

Jigsaw puzzle—start in the middle or at the edges. Either way, choose a puzzle you can finish in one day. Still, make it challenging enough that you’ll feel a glow of accomplishment when you’re done. You can even mount and frame your finished puzzle.
Embroidery—you don’t have to get super fancy. Keep it simple by embellishing things you already have. For example, your toaster cover or a jean jacket are perfect candidates. Or you can plan a small project, like embroidering cute tea towels.
Refinish old furniture—don’t toss the old armoire you’ve been meaning to get rid of. Instead, give it new life and purpose with a fresh finish and new hardware.

You can still leave reality behind and give your mind a thinking break while you tackle your relaxing day project by listening to an audiobook. All 5 books I recommended in idea number 1 are also available as audiobooks.

4. Go on a relaxing day hike.

Of course, you can have a relaxing day away from home. If you do, what better way to spend it than reconnecting with your Creator through His creation?

If you like the outdoors, the peace and quiet of being in the woods, of taking the last step to the top of the ridge, and of absorbing all your eyes can see are sure to restore your soul.

But ask the animals what they think—let them teach you; let the birds tell you what’s going on. Put your ear to the earth—learn the basics. Listen—the fish in the ocean will tell you their stories. Isn’t it clear that they all know and agree that God is sovereign, that he holds all things in his hand?
Job 7:-10 (MSG)

You can go hard on your hike if you’re feeling up to the challenge, and if you don’t mind a few delicious muscle aches as a souvenir. But a hike doesn’t have to be grueling to be rewarding.

You can feel just as accomplished and restored if you choose a gentle walk in your favorite state park. The point is to choose a route that ensures you’ll have a relaxing day.

5. Relax for the day with a drive in the country.

If you don’t want to stay home but aren’t in the mood for a hike, why not have a relaxing day by going on a meandering drive through the countryside?

This idea also works if it’s too cold to be tramping through the woods.

You can drive to the mountains or you can ramble past rolling pastures and endless plains. You can even head to a town you dream of moving to and check out the neighborhoods.

As you drive, cue up your favorite playlist, crank up the music, and let it take you away. By the time you get back home, you’ll feel relaxed and restored.

6 Pro Tips for How to Have a Relaxing Day at Home

Now you have 5 solid ideas for how to have a relaxing day. But with everything you have going on in your life, how can you make sure it happens?

This is where planning comes in.

When you plan your relaxation day, you’re sure to spend the day exactly how you want to. But you also won’t waste time or need extra emotional energy on the day forcing your brain to make decisions.

These 6 tips work when you’re having a relaxing day at home. But most of them also work if you’re relaxing away from home.

Do the first 4 tips a few days before your relaxation day. Then do the last 2 on the night before and the day of.

1. Mark your relaxing day on your calendar.

If you don’t block out a day to relax, you’ll let others encroach on this precious time.

So pull up your calendar or open your planner right now and choose your relaxing day. Write it down and make it so it’s sacred.

2. Decide if you’ll be solo for your relaxing day.

Everyone in your life isn’t restful to be around. So a day spent in their company isn’t relaxing. This means you’ll need to plan how you’ll get the day to yourself.

For example, you may need to arrange for a babysitter or treat your partner to a day of something he enjoys…without you.

It also means you need to think about possible interruptions from the people in your life. Then plan ahead for them in a way where you don’t have to cut your relaxing day short.

What I’m saying is, get creative and plan how to be alone for your relaxing day, without unwanted interruptions.

3. Plan your meals for the day.

When you decide ahead of time what you’ll eat when you have your relaxing day, you give yourself one less decision to tackle on the day itself.

Do this whether you’re relaxing at home or spending the day out. And be sure to include snacks and drinks.

So grab a pen and paper or open your Notes app and write the meals you want to have on your relaxing day. Then make a grocery list of what you’ll need.

You can even make your meals ahead so you don’t have to interrupt your relaxing day with meal prep. Unless, of course, cooking relaxes you.

4. Order and cue up ahead of time.

If you plan to have a relaxing day with a book, order it now, even if it’s an e-book. If you’ll be bingeing movies, cue them up on your streaming service.

Or maybe you plan to craft or DIY for the day. If so, make a list of the supplies you’ll need and order them now.

If you’re going on a hike, decide where you’re going and get your gear together.

Or if you’re going on a countryside drive, decide on your route or your destination. You can even make a note of possible rest and meal stops.

5. Turn off your alarm before your relaxing day.

This tip is essential if you’re to have a relaxing day. You’ll start and end the day feeling like a wrung-out old rag if you ignore it.

Turn off your alarm the night before your relaxing day off. This way, your body will sleep until it’s ready to wake up.

If you think you’ll forget to turn off your alarm, set a reminder on your phone called, “Turn off my alarm,” right now for the evening before your relaxing day.

This day is yours and if you plan it right, you won’t have to roll your tired self out of bed before you’re ready to get up of your own free will. So give yourself the gift of healing sleep to start restoring your body and soul.

6. Turn off your notifications for your relaxing day.

Nothing is more distracting than phone notifications. How can you relax when your email, chat, and social media apps are dinging for your attention?

You can’t.

So put your phone on Do Not Disturb the night before you have your relaxing day. Or you can go into your phone settings and turn off all notifications.

The goal of your relaxing day is to leave your worries and responsibilities behind. So don’t let others intrude on this precious time to yourself, not even with one ding.

Go Bigger and Have a Relaxing Weekend

Back when I was still under the tyranny of my dreaded alarm clock, I woke up most mornings wondering how to have a relaxing day off. Just one.

These days, I rarely wake up by alarm and I have a relaxing day off every week. It’s essential if you want to refuel yourself so you can make it through another week.

But here’s one more suggestion if you want to take it up a notch. Whenever you can, don’t just have a relaxing day—have a relaxing weekend instead.

Give yourself the gift of two whole relaxation days. When it’s over, you’ll feel like a brand new woman.

Plus, you can combine any of the 5 relaxing day ideas you already have and spread them across 2 days. For example,

Do a hike on the first day then take an epic journey into a book for the second day.
Lose yourself to a good binge-watching on the first day then drive out into the countryside on the second day.
Refinish your armoire on day 1 then escape into a mysterious adventure on day 2.

You get the idea.

Also, the same principles apply whether you’re having a relaxing day or a whole weekend. Approach it with intention and plan it ahead of time so you have minimal or no decisions to make. All you need is to get organized and commit to doing this for yourself.

Because you need it for your mental health. And because you deserve to end your relaxing day feeling like a million bucks, not a wrung-out, overused dishrag.

Even if you’ll have to turn your alarm on again the next day.

Before you go, get your FREE printable download to help conquer your confusion—The Essential Guide to Finding Clarity.