Things to Do on a Sunday: 70+ Ideas to Beat the Scaries

61% of U.S. workers^{1https://zety.com/blog/sunday-scaries-report} experience anxiety or dread on Sundays before the workweek—a phenomenon known as the “Sunday Scaries.” Work starts in less than 24 hours and the pressure of unfinished tasks, upcoming meetings, and the end of weekend freedom can feel overwhelming.

But here’s the good news: how you spend your Sundays can transform that dread into anticipation. The right mix of activities—whether restful, productive, or adventurous—can help you end your weekend feeling recharged rather than anxious.

Ready to reclaim your Sundays? Let’s find the perfect activities for you.

How to Figure Out What You Want on a Sunday

Before diving into specific ideas, take a moment to reflect on what you actually need.

As psychologist Dr. Connie Anitsaris-Hilliard explains^{2https://dranitsaris-hilliard.com/2024/06/the-sunday-scaries-why-were-all-freaking-out-on-sunday-nights/}, “Sunday scaries are pervasive, damaging, anxiety-producing stories we tell ourselves.” The antidote? Intentional activity that meets your real needs—not just scrolling or passive avoidance.

Read through the following categories. Notice which ones create an inner feeling of “yes, I could use that!” versus resistance:

• Spirituality and self-reflection
• Rest and self-care
• Nature time and fresh air
• Fun and play
• Creative expression
• Adventure
• Productivity
• Enjoying entertainment
• Exercise and movement
• Experiencing culture

Did anything jump out? If so, skip directly to that section below.

Not sure which category fits? Read through the whole article and see which specific ideas appeal to you.

Sunday Morning Ideas

Sunday mornings offer a unique window—the whole day stretches ahead, and there’s no pressure to rush anywhere. Here’s how to make the most of those quiet hours.

Start with a slow breakfast

Skip the weekday granola bar routine. Sunday mornings deserve something more intentional—whether that’s pancakes from scratch, eggs benedict, or simply your regular breakfast eaten slowly at a table instead of standing at the counter.

Research on mindful eating suggests that slowing down during meals can reduce stress^{3https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5556586/} and improve overall well-being.

Hit the farmer’s market early

Farmer’s markets are busiest mid-morning. Arrive when they open and you’ll beat the crowds, get the best selection, and enjoy a more relaxed browsing experience.

Beyond the practical benefits, strolling through a market engages all your senses—the smell of fresh bread, the colors of seasonal produce, conversations with local vendors. It’s a simple way to feel connected to your community.

Take a sunrise walk or jog

If you can manage an early wake-up, few things beat watching the sun come up while moving your body. The streets are quiet, the air is fresh, and you’ll feel accomplished before most people have finished their coffee.

Even a 20-minute walk can improve mood^{4https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/more-evidence-that-exercise-can-boost-mood} and reduce anxiety—exactly what you need to ward off Sunday Scaries.

Read with your morning coffee

Sunday morning is the perfect time to actually read that book that’s been sitting on your nightstand for months. No rushing, no guilt about other things you should be doing.

Pair it with your favorite coffee or tea, find a sunny spot, and give yourself permission to stay there for an hour.

Do a morning yoga flow

Starting the day with gentle movement can set a positive tone for everything that follows. Sunday mornings are ideal for longer sessions than your weekday schedule allows.

Check out YouTube for free flows—Yoga with Adriene offers excellent options for all levels.

Make brunch with friends

Turn your Sunday morning into a social event by hosting or joining a brunch. The low-pressure, leisurely pace of brunch makes it easier to really connect than a rushed weeknight dinner.

Split up the cooking duties: one person handles eggs, another brings pastries, someone else makes mimosas.

Sunday Afternoon Adventures

By afternoon, you’ve had time to wake up fully, and there’s still plenty of day left. This is prime time for activities that require more energy or planning.

Get outside for fresh air

Americans spend approximately 90% of their time indoors^{5https://www.epa.gov/report-environment/indoor-air-quality}, according to the EPA. If you’ve been cooped up all week, Sunday afternoon is your chance to break that pattern.

Even 20 minutes in a park, garden, or natural setting can lower cortisol levels^{6https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00722/full} and improve mood. You don’t need a major expedition—a walk around your neighborhood counts.

Explore a new neighborhood

Pick a part of your city you’ve never visited. Take public transit there, wander without a specific destination, and see what you discover.

Pop into a local coffee shop, browse a bookstore, people-watch in a park. This kind of unstructured exploration can make familiar places feel new again.

Take a bike ride

Cycling combines exercise, fresh air, and exploration into one activity. Whether you own a bike or rent one through Lime, Bird, or a city bike-share program, Sunday afternoon is ideal for a longer ride.

Aim for a route with minimal traffic—along a river, through a park, or on dedicated bike paths. The rhythm of pedaling can be almost meditative.

Have a picnic

Pack a simple lunch—sandwiches, fruit, cheese, whatever sounds good—and find a spot in a park or garden.

Eating outdoors changes the whole experience of a meal. You’re more present, more relaxed, and more likely to linger than you would at a kitchen table.

Visit a botanical garden

Botanical gardens offer a more curated nature experience than a typical park. The variety of plants, the careful landscaping, and often the architecture make them feel like a world apart from daily life.

Many offer free or reduced admission on certain days—check your local garden’s website.

Take a scenic drive

Sometimes you want to get out of the city without committing to a full hike or outdoor activity. A scenic drive—windows down, music playing, no particular destination—can scratch that itch.

Look up scenic routes near your area. Most regions have at least one or two drives known for beautiful views.

Things to Do on Sunday Night to Beat the Scaries

Sunday nights are when the Scaries hit hardest. 79.5% of U.S. adults^{7https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-news/one-third-of-adults-lose-sleep-to-sunday-scaries} report trouble falling asleep on Sunday nights compared to other nights. The key is structuring your evening to feel prepared rather than panicked.

Do a “brain dump” for the week ahead

Much Sunday night anxiety comes from a vague sense of everything you need to do swirling around in your head. Get it out on paper.

Spend 10-15 minutes writing down every task, appointment, and concern for the coming week. You don’t need to organize it yet—just get it out of your brain and onto a list.

As Stephen R. Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, wrote: “The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.”

Lay out your Monday outfit

This sounds small, but removing one decision from Monday morning can reduce that “wall of tasks” feeling. Pick your clothes, set them out, and cross it off your mental list.

Prep your lunch and bag

Same principle. Having your lunch made and your bag packed means Monday morning requires less thinking and rushing.

Create a Sunday night ritual

Rituals signal to your brain that it’s time to transition. Your Sunday night ritual might include:

• A specific meal (Sunday roast, pizza night, whatever appeals)
• A TV show you only watch on Sundays
• A bath or longer skincare routine
• A phone call with a specific friend or family member

The specifics matter less than the consistency. Over time, the ritual itself becomes calming.

Try the “Sunday Reset”

This trend involves preparing your entire week on Sunday evening—cleaning, organizing, meal prepping, and planning. It’s not for everyone, but many people find that starting Monday in a clean, organized space dramatically reduces anxiety.

Key elements of a Sunday Reset:

• Tidy common areas
• Do laundry and put it away
• Meal prep for the week
• Review your calendar
• Set three priorities for the week

Avoid “revenge bedtime procrastination”

It’s tempting to stay up late on Sunday, clinging to the last hours of the weekend. But research shows this backfires—you start Monday tired and stressed, which only makes the week harder.

Set a reasonable bedtime and stick to it. You’re not losing your weekend; you’re protecting your week.

Write a gratitude list

Shifting focus from anxiety about the future to appreciation for the present can interrupt the Scaries cycle. Before bed, write down three good things from the weekend and three things you’re looking forward to in the coming week.

Free Activities

When Sunday rolls around, you might want to do something enjoyable without bruising your bank account. These ideas cost nothing but offer real benefits.

Make a vision board

A vision board creatively represents your goals and aspirations through a collage of images and affirmations.

Gather supplies like a poster board, old magazines, and glue, then arrange inspiring visuals depicting your desired future. The process of selecting images forces you to clarify what you actually want.

Go for a walk in your neighborhood

No gear required, no destination needed. Just step outside and walk. Notice things you’ve passed a hundred times without seeing—interesting architecture, gardens, street art.

Walking without headphones can be especially grounding. Let yourself think without distraction.

Organize your Spotify playlists

Many of us have a disorganized heap of songs in our online libraries. Organizing your songs into vibes, activities, or genres can be surprisingly satisfying.

Delete songs you no longer enjoy. Give each playlist a descriptive name. Future you will appreciate the curated options.

Watch a TED Talk

Browse TED Talks on topics that spark your curiosity. There are talks on almost everything—science, relationships, creativity, business, personal growth.

Here’s a TED Talk from Science of People founder Vanessa Van Edwards about how body language and voice affect how people perceive confidence:

Write letters to loved ones

A handwritten letter has become rare in our digital age, which makes it more meaningful. Set aside time to write to a friend or family member you haven’t connected with recently.

You don’t need a special occasion. Sometimes the best letters simply say “I was thinking about you.”

Call someone you’ve been meaning to catch up with

Similar to letter-writing, but immediate. Most of us have people we’ve been meaning to call for weeks or months. Sunday afternoon is a great time—people are often free and relaxed.

Do a digital declutter

Go through your phone and delete apps you don’t use. Unsubscribe from email lists that no longer serve you. Organize your photos. Clear your downloads folder.

Digital clutter can create a low-level background stress. Cleaning it up feels like cleaning your mental space.

Take a free class online

Platforms like Coursera, edX, and YouTube offer countless free classes on topics from photography to philosophy to coding. Sunday is perfect for learning something purely for interest, not career advancement.

Meditate at home

You don’t need a class or app to meditate. Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and focus on your breath. When your mind wanders, gently bring it back.

Even five minutes can help. If you prefer guidance, apps like Insight Timer offer free guided meditations.

Practice a language

If you’ve been meaning to learn or improve a language, Sunday is a great time to practice. Apps like Duolingo are free, and you can also find free videos, podcasts, and conversation groups online.

Practice gratitude

Before bed, write down three things from the weekend you’re grateful for. They don’t have to be significant—a good meal, a kind interaction, pleasant weather all count.

Regular gratitude practice has been linked to improved mental health and well-being.

Spend time in nature intentionally

Different from a regular nature walk, intentional time in nature involves moving slowly, engaging all your senses, and being fully present.

Notice the textures of bark, the sounds of birds, the feeling of sun on your skin. This is the principle behind forest bathing (more on that below).

Do a digital detox

Spend a few hours—or the whole day—without screens. No phone, no computer, no TV. Read physical books, write on paper, and talk to people in person.

Many people find this challenging at first but deeply refreshing once they adjust.

Restful Activities

If you feel exhausted, honor that. Rest isn’t laziness—it’s essential for sustainable functioning. As burnout researcher Jennifer Moss notes: “Rest without reform just resets the countdown to the next burnout. Real recovery starts with fixing the conditions that caused the exhaustion.”

True rest means activities that actually restore you, not just passive screen time.

Take a long, slow stretch session

If you’ve tried yin yoga, you know how relaxing deep, held stretches can be. Focus on each muscle group, hold each stretch for 2-3 minutes, and breathe deeply.

Notice how your body responds and releases tension over time.

Watch the clouds

If it’s a nice day, lie back in a grassy field and gaze at the sky. Let your mind wander as you watch clouds drift and change.

It sounds simple, but this kind of unstructured rest is increasingly rare and valuable.

Take a bubble bath

For relaxation, few things beat a hot bath with bubbles. Add Epsom salts or essential oils, light a candle, and give yourself permission to soak without hurrying.

Get a massage

Find a massage therapist at a local spa. Let expert hands work through the knots and stress in your muscles.

This can be a wonderful self-care investment, especially after a physically or emotionally demanding week.

Take a nap

A 20-30 minute nap can boost alertness, mood, and performance without interfering with nighttime sleep. If you’re tired, take a nap.

Set an alarm so you don’t sleep too long and wake up groggy.

Do nothing intentionally

This is different from bored scrolling. Sit somewhere comfortable and simply be. Look out a window. Let your mind wander. Don’t try to be productive or entertained.

It feels strange at first in our constantly-busy culture, but it can be profoundly restful.

Create a cozy corner

Gather blankets, pillows, a warm drink, and a book. Build yourself a comfortable nest and stay there as long as you want.

Sometimes the most restorative thing is simple comfort.

If you consistently feel depleted by Sunday and need to curl up and rest, you might be approaching burnout. If that resonates, check out this free course on fighting burnout.

Get Unstuck and Beat Burnout

Do you need to recharge? Are you burnt out? It’s not your fault!

Learn the science behind your burnout and use our framework for getting unstuck, increasing your energy, and preventing burnout from happening again.

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Nature Activities

On an average weekend day^{8https://www.bls.gov/news.release/atus.nr0.htm}, Americans spend about 5.3 hours on leisure activities—but much of that time happens indoors. If screens and concrete surround you all week, nature can feel like a breath of fresh air (literally).

Go for a hike

Find a trail that appeals to you—whether it’s a challenging ascent or a gentle path through the woods.

Naturalist John Muir said it best: “Go alone, in silence, with no baggage. That’s how you reach the heart of the wilderness.”

Listen to the sounds around you, breathe in the fresh air, and feel the distance from everyday life grow with every step.

Take a forest bath

Embrace the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing^{9https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5580555/}. The idea is simple: spend time among trees and soak up the atmosphere.

Walk slowly, breathe deeply, and use all your senses to absorb the forest. Don’t hike with a destination—just wander and notice.

As Dr. Qing Li, physician and forest medicine researcher, explains^{10https://www.bookey.app/quote-book/forest-bathing}: “Forest bathing is a scientifically proven method to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, boost the immune system, and improve mood and focus.”

Research backs this up. A University of Derby study found forest bathing sessions reduced self-reported anxiety by 29%^{11https://tfb.institute/press-release-uks-first-published-research-paper-into-health-benefits-of-forest-bathing/} and improved heart-rate variability in 57% of participants.

Kayak or paddle board

Rent a kayak, canoe, or paddle board and spend time on the water. The combination of nature, gentle exercise, and the rhythm of paddling can be deeply calming.

Many cities have rental options near lakes, rivers, or bays.

Write nature haikus

A haiku is a three-line poem: the first line has five syllables, the second has seven, and the third has five.

Sit in a natural space and write haikus about what you observe. You don’t need to write anything profound—the act of noticing and putting it into words is the point.

Here’s an example:

Edge of a red cliff. Stone from an ancient sea bed. Water memories.

Have a picnic in a botanical garden

Pack a simple picnic and find a quiet spot in a botanical garden. Enjoy your meal at a leisurely pace surrounded by curated natural beauty.

Go bird watching

You don’t need expensive equipment—just attention. Sit somewhere with birds and watch. Notice their colors, movements, and sounds.

Apps like Merlin Bird ID can help you identify what you see.

Stargaze

If you can get away from city lights, Sunday night can be perfect for stargazing. Bring a blanket, lie on your back, and look up.

Apps like SkyView help identify constellations and planets.

Garden

If you have outdoor space, Sunday is a good day for gardening—planting, weeding, watering, or just sitting among your plants.

If you don’t have outdoor space, indoor plants offer some of the same benefits.

Visit a nature preserve

Most areas have nature preserves, wildlife refuges, or conservation areas within driving distance. These offer wilder, less manicured nature experiences than city parks.

Check for trails, observation points, and visitor centers.

Fun Activities

Maybe life has felt dry and serious lately. These options help you play and let loose.

Play board games

Gather friends or family, pick out a few games, and let the fun begin. Board games can spark genuine connection and joy.

If you don’t want to host, board game cafes let you rent games and play on-site. Check out this list of the best games to play with friends.

Go to a theme park

Experience the adrenaline of roller coasters and the magic of themed attractions. Theme parks can help reignite feelings of childlike wonder and offer an escape into excitement.

Try an escape room

In escape rooms, you and your team get locked in a themed room and must solve puzzles to escape within a time limit.

They’re brain-teasing, exciting, and excellent for teamwork. If you like puzzles at all, they’re worth trying.

Go to an arcade

Get lost in Guitar Hero, break a sweat in Dance Dance Revolution, or enjoy throwbacks like Pacman. Arcades offer nostalgic fun and friendly competition.

Many areas also have barcades—arcades combined with bars—for adults.

Play mini golf

Mini golf offers a fun, low-pressure way to enjoy competition with friends. The creative courses with their whimsical obstacles are entertaining in themselves.

Host a game night

Invite friends over for card games, video games, or party games. Provide snacks and drinks, and let the competition (friendly or otherwise) begin.

Go bowling

Another classic group activity. Most bowling alleys have cosmic or glow bowling options in the evenings for a more party-like atmosphere.

Visit a comedy club

Laughter is genuinely good for you—it releases endorphins^{12https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456} and reduces stress hormones. A comedy show can be exactly what you need to reset before the week.

Have a movie marathon

Pick a series—Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, the Marvel movies—and settle in for a full day of watching.

Make it an event with themed snacks, cozy blankets, and minimal interruptions.

Try karaoke

Whether at a karaoke bar or with a home setup, singing your favorite songs (badly or well) is pure fun.

The vulnerability of performing creates bonding opportunities with whoever you’re with.

Adventurous Activities

If life has felt especially predictable lately, try something outside your routine.

Take a hot air balloon ride

Soar above the landscape and see your area from an entirely new perspective. It can be both tranquil and thrilling.

The breathtaking views and serenity of floating in the sky provide a sense of awe—a perfect escape from the everyday.

Go go-kart racing

Find a nearby go-kart track and experience the adrenaline of racing. The focus required can put you in a flow state, offering a fun departure from normal schedules.

Try snorkeling

If you live near a lake, river, or ocean, snorkel gear is relatively inexpensive. Diving into an underwater world—spotting fish, observing aquatic plants—can remind you of the beauty that exists beyond daily routines.

Take a day trip to a nearby town

Pick a town within a couple hours’ drive that you’ve never visited. Explore their main street, try a local restaurant, and see what makes it unique.

The change of scenery can provide mental refreshment.

Try a new sport or activity

Indoor rock climbing, axe throwing, trampoline parks, laser tag—whatever sounds interesting that you’ve never done before.

New physical activities engage both body and mind in unfamiliar ways.

Go ziplining

Many areas have zipline courses. The rush of speed and the unique perspective on the landscape can be exhilarating.

Take a cooking class

Many restaurants and culinary schools offer Sunday cooking classes. Learn to make sushi, pasta from scratch, or regional cuisine while meeting new people.

Entertainment Activities

Ready to let someone else’s creativity take over? Try one of these ideas.

Watch a movie

Choose a film that interests you—a classic, an indie gem, or a franchise marathon. Escape into a different world for a few hours.

Curl up with a good book

Find a cozy corner, grab a warm blanket, and dive into a book you’ve been meaning to read.

For suggestions, check out the 43 Best Books for Self-Improvement.

Go to a live show

Concert, play, musical, dance performance—live entertainment offers something recorded media can’t replicate. Check local listings for Sunday matinees or evening shows.

Listen to an album start to finish

Many of us listen to shuffled playlists but rarely experience albums as artists intended. Pick an album and listen to it all the way through without interruption.

It’s an immersive way to enter into a musician’s creative vision.

Browse a bookstore

Visit a local bookstore and let your curiosity guide you. The physical experience of browsing—holding books, reading random pages—offers something online shopping doesn’t.

Watch a documentary

Documentaries can teach you about fascinating topics while being genuinely entertaining. Nature documentaries, true crime, sports, history, music—there’s something for every interest.

Go to a movie theater

The theatrical experience—the big screen, the sound system, the audience reactions—makes certain films feel more impactful than watching at home.

Sunday matinees are often less crowded and sometimes discounted.

Exercise Activities

If your body feels underused, especially after a week at a desk, these ideas will get you moving.

Go for a long bike ride

Hop on your bike and set off through city streets or country roads. If you don’t own a bike, rentable city bikes (Lime, Bird, or local bike-shares) make this accessible.

There’s not much better than feeling the wind in your hair and the freedom of the open road.

Take an urban hike

Walk through different neighborhoods, parks, and trails in your city, taking in the sights and sounds. You can intersperse walking with buses and trains to cover more ground.

It’s a great way to get moving while observing your city’s character and discovering new places.

Go to a bouldering or climbing gym

Climbing requires both physical and mental engagement. Most major cities have bouldering gyms where you can try it without ropes or harnesses (the walls are shorter with padded floors).

It’s a fun way to use muscles you didn’t know you had.

Try a new fitness class

Spin, kickboxing, CrossFit, dance cardio, aerial silks—most fitness studios offer drop-in classes. Sunday is a good day to try something new without rushing to get to work afterward.

Go swimming

Whether at a local pool, gym, lake, or ocean, swimming provides a full-body workout that’s easy on the joints.

The meditative quality of moving through water can be calming as well as energizing.

Play a pickup sport

Many parks have informal basketball, soccer, or volleyball games on weekend afternoons. Showing up and asking to join is usually welcomed.

Team sports provide exercise plus social connection.

Go for a run

A Sunday run—whether through parks, along a waterfront, or just around your neighborhood—can clear your head and boost your mood for the week ahead.

Do a YouTube workout

No gym membership required. From HIIT to yoga to dance workouts, YouTube offers free fitness content for every interest and fitness level.

Meaningful Activities

If you’ve been going through the motions without much sense of purpose, these activities can provide fulfillment.

Volunteer at a local charity

Angela Thoreson, a psychiatry and psychology expert at Mayo Clinic Health System, notes: “Volunteers report better physical health than nonvolunteers. Research also has shown that volunteering leads to lower rates of depression and anxiety, especially for people 65 and older.”

Find a cause that resonates with you—food bank, animal shelter, community center, environmental cleanup. Try VolunteerMatch to find opportunities near you.

Pick up litter

Get some trash bags and disposable gloves, then walk through a local park or beach picking up trash. You can do it alone or make it a social activity.

This simple act of environmental care provides a tangible, visible positive impact.

Spend quality time with family or friends

Research from palliative care worker Bronnie Ware found that one of the top five regrets of people on their deathbed is not staying in better touch with friends.

Organize a gathering or one-on-one meetup with people who matter to you. This quality time is invaluable and can remind you of what truly matters.

Call or visit an older relative

Elderly family members often have more isolation than they’d like. A Sunday phone call or visit can mean a great deal to them—and you might learn family stories or wisdom in the process.

Write a letter of appreciation

Think of someone who positively impacted your life—a teacher, mentor, friend, or family member. Write them a letter expressing your appreciation.

You can send it or keep it private, but the act of articulating gratitude can be meaningful for you either way.

Do something kind for a neighbor

Bring baked goods to a neighbor, offer to help with a project, or simply have a longer conversation than the usual wave. Building community connections contributes to everyone’s well-being.

Reflect on your values and priorities

Take time to think about what matters most to you and whether your daily life reflects those values. Where might you want to make changes?

This kind of reflection can inform more intentional choices going forward.

Culture Activities

If you’ve been in your own bubble, these activities help you connect with the broader cultural world around you.

Go to an art museum

Carve out an hour or two to get lost in an art museum. Let the colors, shapes, and stories behind each piece inspire you.

It’s a wonderful way to reconnect with human creativity and see the world through different eyes.

Visit a history or science museum

Discover artifacts, innovations, and stories that shaped the world. Museums offer an engaging way to learn and appreciate human knowledge and achievement.

Eat out at a restaurant

Pick a restaurant with a cuisine that interests you or an atmosphere you want to experience. Eating out lets you enjoy cultural diversity while supporting local businesses.

Spend a day café-hopping

Visit several cafés, tasting different coffees and enjoying each one’s unique atmosphere. It’s a leisurely way to explore neighborhoods and find new favorite spots.

Walk through a farmer’s market

Stroll through a local market and take in the sights, sounds, and smells of fresh produce and artisanal goods. Talk to vendors about their products.

It’s a vibrant, sensory experience that connects you to your community.

Do the most touristy activity in your city

When you live somewhere, you often skip what tourists do. But those activities became popular for a reason.

Go to the top of the tall building, visit the iconic landmark, take a guided tour. You might rediscover what makes your city special.

Attend a cultural festival

Check local listings for festivals celebrating different cultures, arts, or traditions. These events offer food, music, art, and community experiences you won’t find otherwise.

Take a walking tour

Many cities offer free or low-cost walking tours covering history, architecture, or neighborhoods. Let someone else do the research while you enjoy the experience.

Explore a neighborhood known for a specific culture

Many cities have neighborhoods with distinct cultural identities—Little Italy, Chinatown, Korean Town, etc. Spend Sunday exploring the restaurants, shops, and atmosphere.

Things to Do on a Sunday Takeaway

To make the most of your Sunday and beat the Sunday Scaries:

1. Identify what you actually need. Are you craving rest? Adventure? Productivity? Connection? Let that guide your choices rather than defaulting to passive scrolling.
2. Structure your Sunday night intentionally. Do a brain dump, prep for Monday, and create rituals that signal transition rather than dread.
3. Get outside for fresh air. Whether it’s a full hike, forest bathing session, or just a 20-minute walk, nature exposure reduces cortisol and improves mood.
4. Include at least one activity that fills you up. This might be creative expression, quality time with loved ones, or physical movement—whatever genuinely recharges you.
5. Avoid “revenge bedtime procrastination.” Staying up late on Sunday to cling to the weekend backfires. Protect your Monday by getting reasonable sleep.
6. Remember that rest is productive. Genuine rest—not just avoiding work—prepares you to show up fully during the week.
7. Try one new thing. Even small novelty can make Sundays feel more special and less like the anxious countdown to Monday.

With intentional choices, you can end your weekend feeling fulfilled rather than dreading what comes next.

What’s YOUR go-to Sunday activity? Share in the comments—we read every one! You might also be interested in these 40 productive (and fun) things to do when you’re bored.