Shefali Shah explores the trend of taking a few hours out on the weekend to breathe and reset the mind and body before jumping into the week ahead.
After a week of deadlines, commuting, and near-constant digital noise, what most people need is simple: Time to relax and recover. By the weekend, the bedroom or bathroom becomes a sanctuary. A long shower. A hair mask left on longer than instructed. A body scrub used slowly, with intention. Two unhurried hours that make the coming week feel less overwhelming. This is the Weekend Reset: A slow, sensory ritual designed to help you reset before Monday arrives.
The Psychology Behind It
The nervous system is the real battleground now. All week, we operate on adrenaline — constant stimulation, alerts, and pressure. Rituals help interrupt that cycle. Repeated steps, warmth, familiar scents, and touch signal safety to the brain. Psychologists describe this as predictability and control: Knowing what comes next and allowing the body to settle into it.
Beauty routines have quietly become mindfulness practices. They offer something modern life rarely does — time spent with no purpose beyond feeling good. No productivity metrics, just presence: Applying a mask without checking emails, oiling the scalp without tracking time. It’s a small but meaningful reclaiming of attention and rest.
Clinical psychologist Dr Debra Kissen explains it simply: “What you’re looking for in a self-care routine is a feeling of rejuvenation… it should be charging your battery, not depleting it.”
Hair Care Takes The Lead
If the weekend reset has a hero step, it’s scalp care. Most of us grew up watching it — mothers or grandmothers warming oil, working it into the scalp slowly and without rushing. It wasn’t about shine. It was about calm. That ritual is back, just updated. Oils now include ingredients like rosemary, peptides, and caffeine. There are scalp scrubs to remove buildup and masks wrapped in warm towels or light steam. The goal, however, remains the same.
Hair and scalp care are grounding because of how physical they are. Fingers moving in circles, warmth at the temples, breathing that naturally slows — it helps settle the nervous system. Deepika Padukone has spoken about returning to oiling on days when she needs to decompress, describing it as a reminder of home and of being cared for rather than constantly “on.”
The Long Shower, Upgraded
Weekend showers are getting longer and quieter. Warm water helps release tension in the shoulders, followed by a brief burst of cooler water to feel refreshed. Aromatherapy body washes add a sensory layer that helps shift mood.
For those who want to build the ritual further, dry brushes, exfoliating gloves, and shower oils have become part of the routine. Actress Simone Ashley has described showers and steam baths as her way of “resetting” after intense workdays, while Sara Ali Khan has referred to bathing as a “moment of sanctuary” during hectic schedules.
Skincare Takes Centre Stage
Weekday skincare is about speed and efficiency. Weekends are about recovery. Instead of layering strong actives, the routine slows down: Cleanse, gentle exfoliation, a mask left on without rushing, and a moisturiser that locks in hydration. The aim isn’t optimisation — it’s comfort.
This is also when body care takes priority. Exfoliating mitts help remove dead skin and ease stiffness. Salt scrubs support circulation. Rich body creams with ceramides and barrier-repair ingredients help skin feel comfortable and restored. It’s about caring for parts of the body that are usually ignored.
Varun Dhawan has spoken about his grooming and skincare routine — cleansing, moisturising, and occasional body oil massages — as part of staying grounded and physically comfortable, not just cameraready.
A Digital Pause
What sets the weekend reset apart from everyday grooming is what’s missing. There’s no documenting, no repeated mirror checks, no photos. The focus is on the experience, not the outcome. Phones are set aside. Attention shifts to physical sensations — scent, warmth, water on skin. Notifications are removed, comparison disappears, and the body gets a short window of quiet.
Setting The Mood
Weekend routines are less about preparation and more about recovery. Creating a calm environment supports that shift. Low lighting reduces stimulation. Clear counters remove visual clutter. A familiar scent or candle signals it’s time to slow down. Music plays a supporting role — soft, steady, and unobtrusive. The goal is to keep the pace unhurried.
The Finishing Touch
The value of the ritual isn’t in the products, but in how it ends. Clean sheets. Fresh pajamas. Hair wrapped in a towel or left to dry naturally. A warm drink held with both hands. Nothing else happening at the same time. These small steps help the body shift out of stress mode. When the nervous system settles, rest feels complete.
