Five Ways to Treat Yourself After a Long Week at Work

 We’re all busy, busy, busy – juggling work, childcare, social lives… it’s no surprise that by Friday night everyone is exhausted. Tired and grumpy family members cause arguments and the weekend we’ve been longing for since Monday suddenly seems less appealing. This is where taking time out comes into its own. Make Friday nights your ‘me time’ and relieve pressure – here’s how.

Say No to Cooking

Saturday night is the traditional takeaway evening, with Ant and Dec even naming their show after it! However, why not switch it up and order in on a Friday? Preparing a meal takes effort and after a long working week, it makes sense to have someone bringing food to you rather than slaving over a hot stove. Choose an authentic hearty meal like those from urban-tandoor.com to have all the flavour of homecooked food with none of the work.

Soak It Up

If your body is tired, listen to it. A long soak in the bath will help relax tired muscles and give you much-needed time to unwind from the stresses of the week. Treat yourself with bubbles or bath soaks to have a luxury experience. Add candles and wine for the ultimate home spa.

Live, Laugh, Love

Spending time with loved ones is so important so prioritise it on a Friday night. Whether it’s a movie night with the family or a couple of pints in the pub with friends, you’ll feel better for making time for your nearest and dearest. Laughing is good for your health, so find those who give you the giggles and improve your mood just in time for the weekend.

Spend Time in Nature

Finding the energy to go for a walk might seem impossible if you’re feeling tired, but a change of scenery and a good dose of old-fashioned fresh air is great for the soul. Whether you venture to your local park or into the countryside is irrelevant – taking the time to rest and reset will allow your brain to switch out of work mode and into relaxation mode. 

Binge Your Favourite Show

If all you can face is a night on the sofa rewatching Orange Is the New Black for the eighth time, that’s fine. We have become so accustomed to justifying how we spend our time that sometimes it seems we have forgotten it’s okay to put our feet up and relax. Give yourself permission to spend time doing whatever you feel like without guilt – even if that is another night with Piper and co.

Whichever way you choose to spend your Friday night, try to switch off – literally – from work. It can be all too tempting to have a quick check of your inbox, but do you really want to know what lies in wait there? Set clear boundaries, switch on the out-of-office, and enjoy doing something for yourself to start the weekend right. You’ll feel better for it and more productive too. Win-win!