POV: Where to Go For a Sunday Reset in Washington, DC
By: Jane Lim, LICSW
Let’s be honest… I think we all have, at some point in our lives, struggled with the Sunday Scaries. Sunday Scaries is that feeling you get on a Sunday morning, afternoon, and/or evening when you anticipate the struggles and workload of the upcoming week. Your particular flavor of Sunday Scaries may be replete with feeling anxious, stressed, worried, and/or a potential manifestation of existential dread. It can be really overwhelming and well, scary which can make it difficult to be present and genuinely enjoy all that a Sunday in Washington, DC has to offer. Last month on the blog, TSG therapist Linsi Grose provided a guide on how to combat the Sunday Scaries. This month, we’ll take a closer look at where to go to find calm in a city of chaos.
Coffee, Tea, & Breakfast:
Start your morning with your favorite drink and treat. Check out Dua Coffee DC located in downtown D.C. and geographically transport yourself in a cup with their unbelievable lattes made from single-origin beans all the way from Indonesia. They have both indoor and outdoor seating for you to sit down and take intentional time to identify three to-do tasks for the day.
Pro Tip:
Thinking ahead of the upcoming work week can be a helpful way for you to put your thoughts onto paper and get organized come Monday morning.
Jot Down a List of Musts, Maybes, and Motivators
While taking mindful sips of your coffee, write down a list of your Musts, Maybes, and Motivators! What must get done in the week ahead? What would maybe be nice to accomplish or cross off your to-do list? And, finally, what’s motivating you to get through the week ahead? Build in some extrinsic motivators to follow potential stressors of the week. If you have a presentation to get done for work, how are you celebrating yourself after it’s over? Take some time in this space to fill your cup with more than coffee, help yourself to feel empowered going into the upcoming week!
Rock Creek Park:
Allow yourself to escape the city and immerse in the great outdoors! There are so many health benefits to moving your body and soaking up some Vitamin D. This is the perfect opportunity to practice mindfulness and an amazing space to do some reflection on how the past week went, as well as being present with yourself in nature. Rock Creek Park is the perfect place to incorporate wellness and relaxation on a Sunday. The park has several different attractions like walking trails, tennis courts, a golf course, picnic areas, and a planetarium, and an added plus is that the park borders the Smithsonian National Zoo!
Let Perspective Influence You:
When looking for a Sunday reset, getting a clearer perspective on things can really help. While perspective-shifting mentally can be a challenge, perspective-shifting in a more tangible way is absolutely possible in a place like D.C. To me, the enormity of my individual life stressors or challenges can be shifted when I’m standing beside the Washington Monument or Lincoln Memorial. I feel the magnitude of these monuments, and suddenly my concerns can feel a bit more to scale. Though the occasional ‘tourist trap’, these spots are particularly grounding in the early morning before the crowds arrive. The National Gallery of Art also offers an incredible Sculpture Garden. Just being in this space offers a breath of fresh air, in a bustling city, and another incredible venue for a pause before the week takes hold.
All Things Self-Care:
It couldn’t be a Sunday reset without engaging in some self-care. Self-care in a city like DC can look like a variety of different things, and you deserve some R&R after completing those tasks you set for yourself earlier in the day! Gloss Bar is the perfect place to get yourself a flawless mani/pedi or you can try out Varnish Lane, a natural, waterless nail salon in the city. If you are in the mood for a little extra treat, book yourself an appointment at Unwind Wellness Center and take advantage of their services like facials and deep tissue massages just to name a few!
Adulting is Hard
Adulting is hard, especially when trying to strike a balance in how you’re spending your time and energy outside of work or school. It’s integral to your well-being to set aside space to care for the live organism that is YOU! In a city like D.C., it is easy to get lost in the distractions. The rat race can feel very real in a high-pressure, fast-paced ecosystem like the District. You are the employer, manager, and caretaker for the being that is yourself. Just like your phone gets plugged in to charge every now and then in an effort to keep functioning, you, too, must take some time to reset and recharge. Let’s reclaim Sundays as a way to empower and reset for the week ahead, rather than a day of dread.
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