It’s so easy to get home from a long day at work, kick your shoes off and laze in front of the TV until bedtime. But why not use the evening hours for something more productive than catching up with the most recent episode of your favourite reality TV programme?
It may seem like the day is over when the clock strikes 5 at work, but the evening is your oyster! Why not embrace the extra hours you have and use them well? Below I have compiled some of my top tips and tricks for having an awesomely productive evening:
1) Plan for the following day:
Just before you go to bed, it’s always a good idea to prepare for the following day. Do this by ironing all necessary clothing items, planning your breakfast and making your lunch for the next day. This will not only make the following day easier, but it will also help you relax and have a better nights sleep.
2) Leave your shoes on!
This is a trick for those of you who get home and dive straight for the sofa… Leave your shoes on! The moment you take your shoes off, you begin to feel comfortable and therefore a little lazy – meaning your more likely to flop onto the sofa and remain their until bedtime. Not sure if this tip is for me, but if you’re finding it hard to remain motivated in the evening you should try this trick!
3) Allow yourself time away from the screen…
it’s very tempting to put Netflix on for a few hours or get the laptop out for a night of online browsing, but think about all the things you could be doing instead of mindlessly staring at a screen! Call a loved one, read a book or even participate in a hobby or sport – not only will you feel like you have a fresher head the next day but you will also notice that you’ll sleep better that evening. There is also a proven correlation between sleep disorders and artificial light, so close that laptop immediately!
4) …But allow yourself some R&R in front of the TV too!
Although the previous point suggested that you should avoid screens in the evening, it’s more about keeping a balance! It’s more than okay to catch up with your favourite TV programmes and kick-back on the sofa. Just make sure you’re not spending all night doing it.
5) Get changed:
This is a bit of a no-brainer, but get out of your work clothes as soon as you get home! This will change your mindset and make you feel fresher so you can take full advantage of the evening ahead of you!
6) Allow yourself a bit of fun:
It can be really easy to limit yourself on weekday evenings, but don’t forget that having fun is key for a balanced lifestyle! If a friend is hosting a party or it’s a colleagues birthday, don’t be afraid to have a bit of weekday fun! It’s good for the soul.
7) Make the right dinner choices:
A healthy body makes for a healthy mind, and a good sleep! Make sure the dinner you eat is a well balanced meal containing protein, vegetables and carbs. Overall this will keep you healthier, and you’ll feel better for it the next day!
8) Exercise:
This goes hand-in-hand with the previous point, and it’s pretty important! It’s recommended that an adult should exercise at least three times a week for half an hour or more. Getting your blood pumping releases endorphins in your brain which actually makes you feel happier as a result. You’ll also have a better night sleep!
9) Have an early night:
Sleep. It’s one of my personal favourite things about evening time! Sleep is one of the most important aspects of a healthy lifestyle. In order to have a great nights sleep, you should always avoid screens for up to an hour before bedtime (Take a look at point 3!). I also enjoy reading and listening to music as an alternative to any screen as a way to relax. Avoiding caffeine before sleeping is another sure-fire way to improve your sleeping.
10) Reflect:
An important thing to do every evening is to reflect on the days events. You can do this either alone or in discussion with your family or friends. Reflection is the perfect way to work out which aspects of your day are working well and which aspects aren’t working so well. From here you can ‘re-jiggle’, and change anything that you don’t feel is working.
How to you keep your evenings productive? Let me know in the comments!
