For the longest time, I would come home from work and immediately pop on the TV. It was mindless—after a day of meetings, intensive heads-down work, and never-ending email chains, the only thing I thought I wanted to do was watch five episodes of some sitcom I’d seen hundreds of times before.
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Then I realized I was always ending the day feeling exhausted—or worse, with a headache—and I wasn’t sleeping well. Because of this, I tried an experiment: Instead of turning on the TV after a busy day at work, I’d pick up a book.
The results were surprising. I have more energy both after my 9-to-5 job and the next day, and I read 23 books that year (compared to around 10 the year before). Most importantly, I discovered a way to relax that didn’t make me feel like a lazy couch bum.
When I came across an article in Quartz explaining how screen time can negatively impact our happiness, I had one of those eureka moments.
OK, so it’s not surprising that watching TV or looking at your phone for too long isn’t good for you, but what’s so intriguing is that extensive research found that doing any other activity that doesn’t involve a screen makes you happier than screen time would.
We found that teens who spent more time seeing their friends in person, exercising, playing sports, attending religious services, reading, or even doing homework were happier. However, teens who spent more time on the internet, playing computer games, on social media, texting, using video chat, or watching TV were less happy.
That got me thinking—if avoiding screens will make you happier, what else can you do to unwind after a day of work?
The workday is done. You’ve put in your 8 hours and are ready to decompress. But instead of melting into the couch and zoning out in front of the TV, what if you chose activities that left you feeling refreshed, invigorated, and more balanced?
I’ve got some ideas to inspire you.
As background research shows that after-work activities that don’t involve screens are linked to more happiness. And activities with screens relate to less joy. While reasonable tech time can be great balance is key.
So in this article, I’ll share ideas to make your evenings, weekends, and time between the work grind feel like a vacation. You’ll discover activities to nurture your relationships, creativity, knowledge, and wellbeing
Let’s dive in!
Fun Things to Do After Work With Friends
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Game night: Break out the Monopoly or Cards Against Humanity. Game nights stimulate the mind, spark laughter, and bring people together.
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Potluck dinners: Sharing meals fosters connection. Potlucks allow everyone to showcase their cooking talents and taste an array of cuisines in one sitting.
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Karaoke: Let loose and belt out your favorite tunes together. It builds camaraderie and is a definite mood lifter.
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Volunteer: Find a cause you care about and volunteer as a group. Giving back deepens bonds and provides perspective.
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Attend live music: Discover local concerts and enjoy live tunes together. It amps up the fun factor and creates memories.
After Work Activities to Cultivate Your Creativity
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Learn an instrument: Pick up a ukulele or keyboard. Making music awakens creativity and can feel magical when you get into a flow state.
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Crafting: Try candle or bracelet making. Crafting relieves stress and lets you make something unique with your own two hands.
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Drawing: Grab some colored pencils and sketch anything your heart desires. Drawing boosts mood and unlocks imagination.
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Writing: Try a short story using a prompt like, “I looked in the mirror and hardly recognized myself…” Writing is cathartic and expands your inner world.
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Photography: Grab your camera and shoot the sunrise, scenery, or city sights. Photography allows you to see the world through an artistic lens.
Relaxing Things to Do After Work for Your Wellbeing
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Yoga: Flow through sequences in a class or at home. Yoga reduces anxiety, builds strength, and promotes mindfulness.
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Meditate: Sit quietly and focus on your breath, walking meditations, or calming visualizations. Meditating eases stress and centers your thoughts.
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Get a massage: Schedule a therapeutic massage. Massages alleviate muscle tension and induce total body relaxation.
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Cook a nourishing meal: Try a new healthy recipe packed with vegetables. Cooking your own food is rewarding and energizing.
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Take a hot bath: Light some candles and soak in the tub after a long day. Baths soothe sore muscles and wash away worries.
After Work Activities to Boost Your Brain Power
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Read a book: Always wanted to read Michelle Obama’s memoir? Make time for page-turners that captivate you. Reading keeps your mind sharp.
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Learn a language: Try a app like Duolingo to pick up some basic Spanish or French. Learning languages engages your brain and expands your cultural awareness.
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Listen to a podcast: Find a podcast on money, history, or productivity to feed your intellect. Podcasts make learning fun and convenient.
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Take a class: Consider a cooking, crafting, finance, or coding class. Classes help you gain skills and provide accountability.
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Do puzzles: Keep your neurons firing with crosswords, Sudoku, jigsaw puzzles, or brain teasers. Puzzles improve cognitive abilities.
After Work Plans to Get Active and Social
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Group fitness class: Sweat it out in a group setting with cycling, boxing, or boot camp. Group classes torch calories and foster community.
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Recreational sports league: Join a local kickball, dodgeball, or softball team. Sports are a fun way to stay active and meet people.
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Go dancing: Hit up a salsa or swing dancing class. Dancing builds coordination and provides a lively social outlet.
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Take a group hike: Explore nature trails with friends or coworkers. Hiking immerses you in serene landscapes and bonding.
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Neighborhood exploration: Pick a new-to-you neighborhood and walk around to discover shops and eateries. Exploring builds bonds and curiosity.
Final Thoughts
Instead of vegetating on the sofa after work, try weaving in activities that spark joy, enhance wellness, and help you grow.
Aim to engage with friends regularly, unlock your creative talents, nourish your mind and body, and partake in leisure that makes you feel refreshed. Finding balance between productivity and play leads to a happy, well-rounded life.
So challenge yourself to break out of robotic routines. Explore fresh activities, awaken your passions, and live each day to the fullest. You’ve got this!
Teach yourself new cocktail recipes
This skill is sure to impress the next time you attend an in-office happy hour or throw a dinner party (see above). It’ll also save you money the next time you’re craving a nice drink but don’t want to waste money at a fancy restaurant.
1 Clean your home
Dirty dishes in the sink? Haven’t Swiffered the floors in a month? Need to do laundry? Food going bad in your fridge? Use the free time after work to get ahead on your chores—even one chore. It’s not only a great way to practice meditation, but it’ll free up your weekends for more fun.
Why we have no life after work | Louis Manu | TEDxAccra
What to do after work?
Use the free time after work to get ahead on your chores—even one chore. It’s not only a great way to practice meditation, but it’ll free up your weekends for more fun. 14. Do a clothing purge Spring cleaning doesn’t always have to occur in the springtime. Take advantage of your post-work hours by Marie-Kondo-ing your wardrobe. 15.
How can I cope with work-related stress?
Work related stress can be managed by developing healthy responses to fight stress. Tackle the main reason for stress. Learn methods to relax and have a healthy meal. Also take time off when you feel overwhelmed.
What should you do after a workday?
After finishing the workday, you likely want to relax and take your mind off the day’s stresses or responsibilities. There are plenty of things you can do with your free time, and these activities can offer numerous advantages, including boosting your mood, productivity or general well-being.
What to do after a hard day at work?
After a long, hard day at work, the last thing many of us want to do is go home, buckle down, and go to work on something else.
