1. Catch up on Your Sleep

Don't feel bad about sleeping or napping on your day off. If you have a job where you wake up early in the mornings or go to bed late, your sleep schedule can get out of whack and you might spend most of your days tired. If you have the day off, don't set your alarm the night before. Allow yourself to sleep in and wake up on your own.

2. Banish Everyone from the House

If possible, plan a day off when you’re home alone. You can relax and do what you want without someone nagging or asking you to do something. This is easier to plan if your spouse can keep your kids out of the house or occupied during the day. But if you live at home with your parents or have a roommate, banishing everyone from the house might be difficult. What you can do is schedule your days off when you know no one will be around to bother you.

3. Go to the Beach -- Alone

If you take a day off during the week, you can spend a few hours at the oceanfront by yourself reading a book or listening to music. Choose a location that's not heavily populated so it'll be quieter and less distracting. The ocean breeze and the sound of the waves can provide the relaxation you need to prepare your mind for tackling the rest of the work week.

4. Take a Drive in the Country

Getting out of the city for a few hours might be another way to enjoy a day off. You can take a drive through the country and stop at little antique shops or explore small towns. A change of scenery will do you good, and a slower pace can help you relax and calm down.

5. Work up a Sweat

Exercise might be the last thing you want to do on a day off, but exercise can improve your mental and emotional health and reduce stress. If you're overworked and overstressed, a good workout can balance your mood. You don’t have to do anything strenuous. Going for a bike ride, taking a walk in the park or swimming might be enough to reduce anxiety.

6. Read a Novel

Download an e-book to your tablet or go to the library and check out a book. You can spend the next few hours on your back porch, in bed or lying in a hammock reading a book. Of course, this is only soothing if you actually like reading, but don’t have time because of your busy schedule.

7. Get a Massage

Whether you only 30 minutes or 60 minutes, scheduling a massage is probably one of the best ways to spend a day off. There is nothing like a good massage to ease tense muscles, relax your mind and help you rejuvenate.

A soothing day off is possible, but you need to plan well and make sure you avoid activities that might raise your stress level or increase anxiety. What are other ways to enjoy a day off?