Even if you were at a beach in Old Saybrook, would you be able to relax?

It’s the weekend! You’ve been waiting all week for this, right? But be honest with yourself, are you actually going to relax this weekend? Or will Monday roll around and you’ll feel just as tense and tired as you did on Friday?

So many of my clients tell me the same thing: “I wanted to recharge this weekend, but it just didn’t happen.” If that sounds like you, you’re not alone.

Here are the top 3 reasons my clients say they can’t really relax on the weekend:

1. Work is still hanging over them.

   
   

   Even when it’s technically your time off, it doesn’t feel like it. Maybe there’s a deadline. Maybe you’ve got a boss (or clients) who expect responses at all hours. Or maybe it’s just you: putting pressure on yourself to “get ahead” so Monday feels easier. Either way, the weekend never really feels like a break.

   
   

2. They’ve overscheduled themselves.

   
   

   What was supposed to be a restful weekend gets swallowed up by errands, plans, kids’ activities, social stuff, and those “shoulds” you feel guilty about ignoring. By Sunday night, there was no time to actually rest.

   
   

3. Their body is home, but their brain is still at work.

   
   

   Sometimes you’re not even working. You’re sitting on the couch or spending time with your family, but your mind is still racing. You’re thinking about work, upcoming projects, or problems you need to solve. You can’t fully settle into the moment, no matter how hard you try.

Sound familiar?

So what can you do about it?

• Get really clear on how you want to feel.

  
  

  If this is something you want to change, instead of asking “what should I do this weekend?” ask yourself, “How do I want to feel?” Calm? Present? Energized? Let that guide how you spend your time.

  
  

• Actually block out rest.

  
  

  Treat rest like a real appointment. Self-care time, family time, quiet time: put it in your calendar and protect it.

  
  

• Set boundaries with yourself and others.

  
  

  It’s okay to let the email wait. It’s okay to say no to one more commitment. Rest doesn’t just “happen”, you have to create space for it. You have to prioritize it.

But here’s the truth: if you’ve tried all of this and you still can’t relax, it’s probably not just about your weekend schedule.

This is what I help people with every day. If your nervous system is stuck in overdrive, it’s really hard to feel present, calm, or grounded, even when you’re not technically working. Together, we work on helping you actually unwind so you can recharge and really enjoy your time with the people you care about.

If that sounds like something you need, I’d love to support you.

I offer in-person therapy and coaching sessions in Old Saybrook, Connecticut. I also offer virtual sessions throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, and coaching nationwide.

Schedule Here

You deserve weekends that actually feel like a break.

Bikes parked at the Beach in Old Saybrook, Connecticut