Time for yourself sounds like a small thing, yet in autumn it often becomes a rarity. The days grow shorter, mornings are dark, and the working week drains us faster than it did in summer. When Saturday arrives, we feel we ought to "catch up" on everything: chores, errands, visits. And then it is Monday again.
This weekend, try something different. You do not need to plan a whole day of relaxation. One hour is enough, as long as you give it to yourself on purpose, without your phone and without a to-do list. In this article you will find four calm ways to spend that hour: three you can do at home and one where someone else guides you, in Ljubljana or online.
Why autumn makes us so tired
Autumn tiredness is a very common experience. Less daylight affects our inner rhythm, we spend more time indoors and move less, and at the same time we return to the full pace of work and school after the summer. Body and mind simply need a few weeks to adjust.
We have gathered the causes and everyday habits that bring back some energy in our article Tired in Autumn? 7 Ways to Restore Your Energy. Here, we focus on the weekend and how to create a genuine break within it.
Important: if your tiredness lasts a long time, is very strong or comes with other symptoms, please speak to your doctor. The ideas below are meant for relaxation and wellbeing and do not replace medical care.
How to actually take an hour for yourself
The hardest part is not relaxing itself, but deciding to allow it. A few simple steps help:
- Choose the hour in advance. For example Saturday at 9:00 or Sunday at 17:00. What is in the diary happens more often.
- Tell the people you live with. "I'm in the living room for this hour, please don't disturb me" is a perfectly fine sentence.
- Put your phone in another room. Not face down on the table, but genuinely somewhere else.
- No goal. Time for yourself is not a project. You do not have to achieve anything.
4 calm ways to ease autumn tiredness
1. Morning stillness and slow breathing (at home, 20 minutes)
Before you switch on the news or open your messages, make a warm cup of tea and sit by the window. For a few minutes, simply watch the light outside. Then try a simple breathing exercise:
- Breathe in through your nose for a count of 4.
- Breathe out slowly through your mouth or nose for a count of 6.
- Repeat 10 to 15 times and notice your shoulders softening.
A longer out-breath than in-breath is one of the simplest ways to signal to your body that it is time to rest. You will find more techniques you can practise at any time in our guide Breathing Exercises for Stress.
2. A daylight walk without headphones (outdoors, 30–40 minutes)
In autumn, daylight is precious, so catch it when there is most of it, between 10:00 and 14:00. Go for a walk in a park, by a river or in a forest, without a podcast and without your phone in your hand. Listen to your footsteps, the leaves, the wind. Walk more slowly than you usually do.
If you are in Ljubljana, Tivoli Park, Rožnik hill or the paths along the Ljubljanica are easy choices. Wherever you live in Slovenia or Croatia, a forest or the coast is often closer than it seems.
3. An evening new moon ritual (at home, 30 minutes)
This weekend has a particularly lovely moment for a quiet pause: the new moon falls on Saturday 10 October 2026 at 17:50 CEST. Whether or not astrology speaks to you, the new moon is a good symbol of a fresh start. Light a candle, write down three things you want to leave behind and three you would like to welcome into the coming weeks.
The full six-step ritual, with breathwork and journalled intentions, is described in New Moon October 2026: A Simple Intention-Setting Ritual.
4. An hour where someone else guides you (Ljubljana or online)
Sometimes the best rest is not having to lead anything ourselves. When you lie down, close your eyes and let the process carry you, your mind may switch off properly for the first time in a long while. On Zeen Connect you can choose from verified providers, including:
- Breath and gentle energy work:Astralni Dotik – AEH energy therapy in Ljubljana is a one-to-one session that begins with guided relaxation and breathing, followed by gentle energy work. Prices start at €75, and available times are shown on the profile.
- A night of deep rest: the 12-hour overnight EES session by EES Harmonija telesa in srca runs in Ljubljana from 21:00 until 9:00 the next morning, on comfortable mats, in a group of up to eight people. The group overnight session costs €150 per person; check the service page for the next available date.
- Clarity from home: if it is your thoughts and open questions that tire you more than your body, a channelled message by Andrej Markič is an online option for €70. You send your name and questions, and you receive a written message (about one A4 page) within 10 days. Time for yourself can also mean calmly writing down the questions that truly matter to you.
If sound appeals to you more, read what a sound bath is and what to expect.
How to choose the right way for you
- If you are tired but restless: start with breathing (way 1) and follow it with a walk (way 2).
- If you need a fresh start: the new moon ritual (way 3) gives you a clear framework.
- If you are exhausted and cannot face "working on yourself": choose a guided experience (way 4), where someone else simply leads you.
- If you only have 10 minutes: just do the breathing exercise and drink your tea by the window. That counts too.
A small plan for this weekend
- Saturday morning: 20 minutes of stillness and breathing, then breakfast without a screen.
- Saturday midday: a walk in the daylight.
- Saturday evening: a candle, a notebook and the new moon ritual.
- Sunday: book one guided experience for the coming days and put it in your diary as an appointment with yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Is one hour a week really enough?
One hour will not change everything, but it is a beginning. Once you feel how good it is, it becomes easier to take it again. Many people gradually add short moments during the week too, such as five minutes of breathing in the morning.
What if I cannot quiet my mind during my hour?
That is completely normal. Do not fight your thoughts; simply keep bringing your attention back to your breath or your steps. It also helps to jot down everything buzzing in your head on a sheet of paper before you begin.
Do I need to be "experienced" for a guided session?
No. Sessions such as AEH energy therapy or the group overnight EES session are suitable for beginners. Read the service description before booking and send any questions to the provider.
Are these ideas suitable outside Slovenia, for example in Croatia?
The first three ideas work anywhere. The channelled message takes place online, so it is also available from Croatia. The overnight EES session and Astralni Dotik sessions take place in person in Ljubljana.
Final thoughts
Autumn invites us to slow down, not to run even faster. Taking time for yourself this weekend is not an indulgence; it is care that helps you enter the new week more rested. Choose one way, put it in your diary and keep it like an appointment you have made with yourself.