In most countries, Sundays are the day for rest. Most offices are closed, and almost everyone is at home having some much deserved 'me-time.'

But lockdown measures changed the way we do work. When we started, every day felt like an extended working holiday. The work from home situation blurred the lines between work and home. We're in our jammies taking high brow conference calls. We're working on spreadsheets while playing with the dog, cat or child.

In a2016 study on working from home, psychologists from the University of London found that boundaries are most important for mental health. "When work and home activities take place in the same physical space, physical, temporal and psychological boundaries between work and home can become blurred,"

While there are very few things we can do to separate our workspace and living space (some parents are making their closets a home office, to shut off everyone!), we can learn to unplug. With alarming reports of another wave coming, we might be spending the rest of the year in our homes. With hope and determination, we need to master the art of taking a proper break.

Rest Day Ideas

Whether your rest day is on a Sunday or any other day. The first step is dedicating a specific day to unwind. The breaks we are talking about are not your little water break in between to-do-lists. No, this is a specially designated day to rest and relax. So block the calendar, you deserve this!

1.    Lounge and stay in bed for an extra hour or three. Assuming your normal workday is chaotic: you get up and rush to cook, workout, or get on a Zoom call. Using your rest day to lounge or sleep in for an extra hour is a reward to yourself. If you wake up the same day every day, most likely, your body clock will be used to being awake the same time. You don't have to force yourself back to sleep. Take time to be indulgent. Stay in bed, enjoy some music.

2.    Make your own breakfast. If the workday consists of the same meal every day, make your rest day a special breakfast. If you're open to the idea of cheat meals, make it today and cook that bacon! Make your own breakfast and enjoy the process. Have fun in your kitchen, make pancakes from scratch and don't rush eating. Savour every bite.

3.    Create a Rest Day Playlist. And play it only for rest days. There are unlimited options for relaxing music. You can choose from chill lo-fi, classical piano, soft R&B, or indie-folk. It's important that you set the mood and tone for your day. Dedicate that playlist only for this day so your mind-muscle knows it's time to relax.

4.    Avoid the Screen. Notice how this list has not mentioned anything about mobile phones or TV screens? That's because taking a break means unplugging from all the distractions. Leave the phone behind and fill your day without it. You will be surprised by what you can do and how much refreshed you can become if you're not on social media all day.

5.    Intentionally spend time with loved ones. Yeah, we know you're stuck with the people you are living with. But unlike the encounters you have throughout the week, make your rest day a special time to bond. Intentionally do activities with them. Think of fun games that will make you more present in the moment.

6.    Care for something other than yourself. Take a break from the ego. Caring for others whether it be a plant or a pet can increase altruism. It's a needed break from you and your problems.

7.    Meditate. If you meditate or pray daily, use the rest day to extend your time. Use it as a day to refocus and realign.