After a long day at work, laying on the couch sounds GREAT. However, most days you want to feel somewhat productive after work before going to bed OR you need to feel a little something before going to bed.
There is also a feeling of tiredness or drained after a work day, luckily all these productive activities are “low intensity“, as a workout instructor would say.
If you have not read the Morning Routine: How to Wake Up at 5:45am blog post, definitely check it out! This has completely changed the way I approach my evening routine and it drives the energy for the nighttime activities!
Productive does not mean working out until you burn a million calories or cleaning your entire house until it shines!
Productive Activities can be for physical and mental health. Do not be hard on yourself after work, it has already been a long day and you deserve to relax but feel productive.
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10 Things to do to feel Productive After Work
Movement
Because the morning routine includes working out, if I am doing a workout or evening movement it will consists of an evening walk or even a quick match of Pickleball.
Me and my husband bought this Amazon Pickleball Set and it has been so fun for the evenings or weekends.
Movement can be a walk around your neighborhood, trail, hike, or on the indoor treadmill.
I use to have the mindset that every workout had to leave me sweating and burning 500 calories. That mindset is so toxic.
Do the Hot Girl Walk or the Mental Health Walk. You deserve it after a long work day!
Read
There are SO many different authors and genres of books to try nowadays, you are bound to find one that drives your interest.
There are also SO many ways to read a book now too: paper copy, kindle, or audible.
Recently, I have been trading books with my friend at work. We are basically in our own kind of book club. It has been fun reading and then sharing each others thoughts.
Reading is so relaxing and is a classic 20s hobby.
My recent reads that I recommend:
- It Ends with Us
- Hotel Nantucket
- In Five Years
- One True Loves
Yes, these are mostly romance/drama!
Try a New Recipe
This has been a goal this year for our family.
Trying a new recipe is way easier than you think, I use to be SO overwhelmed when I was not making chicken and broccoli.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my basic/easy/no brainer recipes but they get old and boring.
Go on Pinterest or Google and search “Easy Dinner Recipes“, I promise you….there is something for everyone.
The crazy part is that easy recipes normally just involve a sauce to add to the meat or veggies and boom, it is elevated and new.
Take a Bath
Taking a bath is productive.
A bath is productive in the mental health category.
Hot shower also substitutes for taking a bath.
Spend however long you want enjoying the bubbles, salts, and hot water. Decompress from the day.
Journal
Another goal this year was to incorporate journaling into my routine.
I try to do it in the morning but we know that is not always consistent. SO, evening journaling is another time to incorporate it into the routine.
Journaling Topics:
- Goals
- Stressers
- What you are Thankful for?
- What are you looking forward to?
- Word of the Week
Current Favorite Journal:
Sit Outside
Sounds of nature or sounds of the city.
Again, productive mental health activity.
Take deep breathes, read a book, or simply sit in thought.
It does not have to be for an hour, 15 minutes is just enough time to have a reset moment for yourself.
Sunset sitting session never disappoints.
Plan your Next Vacation
Planning a vacation may be stressful for some, but I am not saying to book things or buy plane tickets.
Go on Pinterest and look for your next vacation.
If you have vacation in the plans, you have something to look forward to.
Often times, you are going through the motions or not feeling motivated at work. A vacation (could even be a staycation) gives you something to be excited for in the upcoming future.
Meal Prep
LOVE a meal prep for the next couple days.
Meal preps saves money because then you do not buy lunch out and saves time in the morning before work if you are packing your lunch.
Tacos Bowls are my favorite meal preps because you simply throw everything together. Cook chicken/beef and then add beans/rice/corn to build a base, then pack the sides: lettuce, cheese, salsa.
Call a Family Member or Friend
This is a favorite. Calling your mom, grandparents, or a friend you have not talked to in a while is a great passing time.
It will not only make their day that you called but it will make yours as well.
This is a win win productive activity.
Listen to a Podcast
Throw on a podcast and get what you need to get done….DONE.
My favorite podcast is Gals on the Go, I listen to it on Spotify.
Podcasts are great because there is something for everyone. Also, nowadays, everyone who is famous has a podcast or is trying to start one.
Clean out a Portion of your Closet
Pick a drawer or a section of your closet to go through.
Spacing out closet cleaning is way more productive then forcing yourself to clean out your entire closet in one sitting.
For example: go through your pajamas, workout outfits, shoes, or your dresses.
Feeling productive after work is a mindset, not an action.
Elevate your evening by focusing on a productive activity that is can be for your mental health, physically wellbeing, or setting your space around you to feel your best.
This post was about being productive after work. Find an activity that works best for you and your schedule.
By Grace Vescera
