"Scent has a straight line to emotional memory centers and can quickly shift our moods," says Lisa Chen, LMFT. She shares small ways to boost your brain's feel-good chemicals, from smelling something tied to a happy memory to adding a little novelty to your day.

"I often tell clients that the goal isn't to squeeze every last minute. It's to help your future self," says Lisa Chen, LMFT. "I consider the best Sunday evening routines to typically include all three things: something enjoyable, some rest, and a little preparation for the week ahead."

“A sabbatical is something I highly recommend for burned-out professionals who are psychologically depleted," says Lisa Chen, LMFT. She explains that burnout means "functioning in a prolonged state of nervous system overdrive, so a weekend off won't be enough to repair someone who's experiencing burnout."

The physical clearing is helpful not just for your mind, but allows for your body and nervous system to register the change." Lisa Chen, LMFT on why the empty-nest cleanout starts with the entryway, not the bedroom.

How a midweek start sidesteps the all-or-nothing pressure of a Monday fresh start and makes lasting change more likely.

Why tracking what you've finished shifts the brain away from perpetual deficit thinking toward a steadier relationship with work.

How tackling life admin together reduces anxiety through shared context and co-regulation, for adults used to carrying everything alone.