Forget Netflix binging. Here are 5 weekend activities that will actually restore your energy and leave you feeling refreshed

We’ve all been there—you sit down for a “quick episode” and before you know it, you’ve spent your entire Saturday glued to Netflix.

Sure, it feels comforting in the moment, but how do you actually feel afterward? Usually, a little sluggish and somehow even more drained.

That’s because passive consumption doesn’t always recharge us. True restoration comes from activities that nourish both the body and mind.

If you want to finish your weekend feeling lighter, calmer, and genuinely re-energized, here are five activities that can make all the difference.

1. Spend time in nature

There’s something about being outdoors that instantly shifts your mood. The fresh air, the greenery, the open space—it’s like nature has its own built-in reset button.

Research even backs this up: spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing. That’s just two hours spread across your weekend. Think about how simple that is—an hour-long visit to a local park on both Saturday and Sunday, or a short hike with a friend.

I find that even small doses count. Sometimes I just take my coffee outside and sit in the garden for twenty minutes. It’s not about making it complicated. It’s about breaking away from the artificial glow of screens and letting your nervous system recalibrate in the most natural environment there is.

2. Take a long walk

When was the last time you went for a walk just for the sake of it? Not to get somewhere, not to hit a step goal—but to let your thoughts wander?

A series of experiments at Stanford University found that people produced 60 percent more creative ideas while walking than sitting, whether indoors or outdoors. Walking also lowers cortisol, our main stress hormone, which is why you often feel lighter afterward.

My favorite weekends often involve long, meandering walks with no destination in mind. Sometimes I’ll go into nature trails, other times just through my neighborhood. The rhythm of walking does something to your brain—it untangles the mental knots you didn’t even realize you were holding onto.

So if you’re tempted to binge a new series, consider binge-walking instead. You might be surprised at how many ideas come to you along the way.

3. Get quality sleep

This might sound obvious, but let’s be real—how often do you actually prioritize sleep on the weekend? We stay up late scrolling, hit snooze repeatedly, and then wonder why Monday morning feels like a truck hit us.

As Matthew Walker, professor of neuroscience and psychology at UC Berkeley, has said: “Sleep is the single most effective thing we can do to reset our brain and body health each day.” It’s not a luxury; it’s a biological necessity.

Instead of treating weekends as catch-up time for exhaustion, flip the script and treat them as an opportunity for high-quality rest. A consistent bedtime, no late caffeine, and maybe even a Sunday afternoon nap can make you feel like you’ve had a full-on spa retreat—without leaving home.

4. Move your body

The science is clear: exercise releases endorphins, those natural mood lifters that shift your brain chemistry in all the right ways.

For me, trail running is the go-to, but it could be as simple as a yoga class, a bike ride, or even dancing around your living room. The point is to get your blood flowing and remind your body it’s alive and capable.

It’s easy to think that exercise drains energy, but most of the time, it’s the opposite. A good sweat session clears mental fog and replaces it with that post-workout glow that no amount of TV watching can replicate.

5. Practice gratitude

Here’s something that doesn’t require fancy equipment, a gym membership, or even leaving your house: gratitude. It might sound simple, but its effects are powerful.

Experts have noted that practicing gratitude can reduce stress, improve heart health, ease anxiety and depression, and even help you sleep better. Writing down three things you’re grateful for at the end of the day can literally shift your brain toward positivity.

I like to keep it casual—sometimes it’s as small as “the taste of fresh tomatoes from the farmers’ market” or “that unexpected text from a friend.” The act of noticing creates a ripple effect. It makes the ordinary weekend moments feel richer, which in turn makes your entire weekend feel more restorative.

Final thoughts

Weekends are supposed to restore you, not leave you drained. Sure, there’s nothing wrong with a little Netflix here and there, but if you want to truly feel refreshed come Monday morning, it helps to choose activities that give back to you.

A walk in nature, good sleep, moving your body, or even a few minutes of gratitude journaling—these aren’t massive lifestyle changes. They’re small, intentional choices that build real energy instead of depleting it.

So the next time you find yourself reaching for the remote, pause and ask: What would leave me feeling genuinely restored by Sunday night? Chances are, it’s one of these five simple shifts.