Instead of spending your weekend performing tons of dreaded activities like cleaning the house or doing laundry, you could spend this weekend in pursuit of activities that will relax and rejuvenate you for the week ahead. Most people spend months planning for a vacation when they could enjoy time in their own homes if they just plan ahead.

Schedule a Cleaning

During the hectic work week, call and schedule a service to come clean your house. If you’re not home all week because you work, it’s likely that it won’t need a heavy, deep cleaning. You might even decide to skip the cleaning this week and tackle it next week, or clean a little every day during the week to give yourself an opportunity to enjoy the weekend.

Have the Laundry Done

There are laundry facilities that will wash, dry and fold your laundry, so you don’t have to spend your weekend on the unpleasant task. This is another chore that can be done prior to the weekend. You’ll have the peace of mind to know that your clothes are clean, and your two days away from work mean that you don’t have to worry about chores.

Bring in the Blooms

If you have a beautiful garden out back, bring some of those flowers indoors to brighten up your space. You can take a page from some designers who will bring in foliage from the backyard to get some welcome greenery into the space. Fresh flowers throughout the home make it more serene and relaxing.

Ride Your Bike

Pick a day to ride your bike or stroll through your own neighborhood. You can enjoy a beautiful day outside exploring a place that you’ve often only seen from the window of your car. You don’t necessarily have to end up at a certain destination, but you might want to head to a local market for the makings of lunch or dinner. Fresh ingredients are always a good idea.

Enjoy a Picnic

Those fresh ingredients can be used for a picnic too. Bring them home to assemble for a backyard picnic, or bring them with you on your bike ride to a local park. If the park is in the vicinity of a lake or pond, that’s even better. You’ll be able to relax and enjoy the fresh air outdoors. Pack a book or magazine to read while you’re there.

Buy a Hammock

Being outside in your own backyard will give you the peace you need to enjoy a great book, spend some time journaling or writing that book you’ve been talking about for years. If you love drawing, you could swing in your hammock for hours sketching simple things in your yard like a favorite tree or beautiful flower.

It’s a good idea to occasionally take the time to enjoy your entire weekend without stress. There’s plenty of time for stress during the work week. It might take some planning to spend the weekend relaxing without chores, errands and annoyances, but it’ll be worth it when you go back to work refreshed and energized on Monday.