When the week drains your dopamine, weekends can become recovery missions rather than rest. Borrow ideas from behavioural science to restore energy without abandoning responsibilities.
Map Your Energy Budget
Identify restorative activities
List three activities that reliably replenish you—perhaps a swim, sensory-friendly market trip, or creative session. The University of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre notes that experiential novelty boosts mood for neurodivergent adults.[1]
Automate core chores
Let Chaos queue recurring tasks—laundry, food shop, medication ordering—on Friday afternoon. That frees Saturday for genuine rest and mirrors tips in our weekend reset.
Inject Micro-Novelties
Plan low-pressure adventures
Book a Sunday morning gallery visit or take a new walking route. Chaos can suggest options close to your calendar gaps, keeping planning low-effort.
Curate dopamine snack packs
Prepare sensory kits—favourite drinks, playlists, tactile tools—so you can indulge without overthinking. NHS mood management guidance backs the value of multi-sensory self-care.[2]
Close with Gentle Prep
Sunday preflight
Spend 20 minutes letting Chaos schedule Monday’s top three tasks, then send future-you a supportive reminder. This small act keeps Monday from feeling punitive.
Dopamine debt fades faster when rest, novelty, and practical prep coexist. Protect your energy the same way you protect deadlines.