On any given night of week, you will find me curled up on the couch under a blanket, rewatching Gilmore GirlsFor the approximately one millionth time. It’s the not best way to spend my precious after-work hours, I know, but what’s a gal to do when a show this good exists? Really though, there are tons of other things I could be doing with that time, and it’d probably do me some good to branch out a bit. I’m not saying it’s necessary to be productive every minute of the day, but if I did something besides sitting mindlessly in front of the TV every night, maybe I’d complain less about not having enough hours in the day. Here are 12 activities that you can do at home tonight, instead of watching TV.
Journal
Simply grab a notebook and start writing, and I promise you’ll feel much better than if you spent that hour watching TV. Journaling can help you set goals, reflect on your day, and sort through the thoughts that are swirling in your head. Are you unsure where to start? We’ve got tons of journal prompts to get you started.
Preparing Meals
It is the best feeling to not have to cook during the week. Do yourself a favor and switch to meal prep instead of watching TV. Make healthy dinners or prepare lunches for the office.
Get Outside
Summertime means you’ve got way more hours of sunlight to work with, so why not spend some extra time outside? Whether you’ve got a backyard patio or a tiny apartment balcony, grab a book or a glass of wine and get out there. Fresh air is a refreshing change after spending the day inside.
Do some yoga or stretch out
As a former competitive dancer, I’m ashamed of my current level of flexibility. Turns out that going from stretching every single day to almost never really does damage to your muscles. Now if I just used my TV time to stretch or work on my yoga practice, I’m sure I’d be back doing the splits in no time.
Read a book
I was a child who loved to have my nose in a book. As an adult, however, I began to excuse myself from reading. In reality, I was choosing to watch TV in my spare time. If you, like me, are ready to get back into the habit, might I suggest adding a few of our editors’ recommendations to your TBR list?
Meditation is a good practice
Everyone could use a little more mindfulness. The next time you’re itching to switch on the TV, try a quick meditation instead. Find a comfortable spot to sit down, close your eyes, and focus on breathing in and out. If you’re having trouble keeping your thoughts at bay, try a guided meditation (you can find a ton of these on Spotify!) To help you focus. Meditation can be a great way to reduce stress, improve your mood, and even help you sleep better.
Listen to Music and Podcast
When was the last occasion you sat down to just sit? You are being listened toTo do something? Not while you’re cooking dinner or working out. Listening is the only action. It’s probably not one of your usual at-home activities, but simply sitting down and listening to a favorite album or podcast can be super relaxing. It really allows you to focus on what you’re hearing and is a great way to disconnect and unwind if meditation isn’t really your thing.
Organise Something
I don’t recommend embarking on a whole-house clutter purge on a weeknight, but tackling a small organizing project can be super rewarding. Pick a spot like your kitchen junk drawer or the area under your bathroom sink, and start by editing out the stuff you don’t need. You can then sort the rest of your items with organizers such as drawer dividers and storage baskets. A task you’ve probably been putting off forever is all done.
Paint or Draw
Grab that watercolor set or sketchbook: It’s time to get a little artsy. You can relax and let your imagination wander before you go to bed by drawing, painting, or simply coloring. Plus, you don’t have to be the next Picasso to get started. There’s no judgment if your artistic abilities don’t go beyond doodles and squiggly lines.
Do Nothing
It’s a concept! This is a concept! Our brains could use a break from all the stimulation that is going on in the world. You can put on a face-mask and relax for a few minutes.
Take a walk
Your body will appreciate movement, especially after sitting at a computer all day. Instead of sitting down in front the TV after dinner, make evening walks a part of your daily routine. After all, hot girl walks aren’t limited to daytime hours.
Get an extra hour of sleep
When I was in my twenties, eight hours of sleep became a priority for me. If you’re prone to late-night Netflix binges, they are cutting into your time for that precious beauty rest. Instead of turning on the TV before bed to unwind, you can use that time to get an extra hour of rest. It may take some getting used too, but reducing screen time before bed can help your brain slow down and get restful sleep.
Source: The Every Girl
