Weekday activities besides watching tV

Written By Tori Karach

Do I sound like your mom yet?? There is no doubt that I sound like mine right now, but this is one thing they definitely got right. Being on your phone, laptop, ipad, watching TV — anything involving a screen at night is simply the easiest way to lower your sleep quality, decrease your self-esteem, and reduce your productivity. I am one to talk — I am always asking people for new show recommendations and looking for a fun movie to watch. But one thing my boyfriend and I have been trying to do lately is put down our technology (except when the playoffs are on).

Why you should get off technology at night

I am not going to dive into the science behind why being on your phone at night (or watching television, YouTube, etc.) is bad for you. The truth is, you’ve already heard it & you’ve already forgotten about it! Yes, it is true it can mess with your circadian rhythm, decrease your self confidence, and keep you up later. But this is what I actually want to talk about: technology is ruining your relationships, reducing your ability to achieve your goals, and depleting your precious, precious time on earth. Okay, that may be a bit dramatic, but is it really? I don’t want to guilt-trip you into putting your phone down, but here is what my boyfriend and I agreed on the other day: We want to spend more quality time together. Sometimes, quality time is watching a movie on a Friday night and cuddling on the couch. It is definitely not coming home, turning the TV on, eating dinner, and sitting there for the last hour or two of your day before going to bed, not talking or interacting with anyone. I have realized that I miss my boyfriend all the time. Mind you, I live with him! I see him every single day! But I miss him? It doesn’t add up. Spending so much time glued to our devices separates us from the world around us. I could be next to him for 3 hours and feel like I haven’t seen him the entire day because of how disassociating technology really is.

Something else I have noticed, whenever I am watching TV, it actually bothers me when he talks. That is how consumed I am in the show I am watching! I don’t even want to acknowledge his presence. I hope you can admit that’s a little sad. Maybe this isn’t you. Maybe you live alone or with roommates and you don’t really care about interacting with anyone when you get home. But let me ask you something else then, are you happy with how you are spending your time? Are you happy with forgetting what you ate for dinner the night before because you were so tuned-out and so tuned-in to you phone? Do you dread the weekdays because it is just wake up, go to work, go home, watch a show, go to bed? Are you truly fulfilled? Yikes, that got really deep. I think you get the point, though.

Moving on… I am someone who lives by routine. I love a good routine even if I am repeating the same thing every day. But I am also someone who needs to feel accomplished. During my transition from college to working full-time, I have discovered how important it is to feel self-fulfilled. You must make time for yourself and you must do things that make you feel accomplished & happy (not what makes your boss feel like that). For some people, work does make them feel accomplished and that is great! For some people, watching the show at night or scrolling on their phone to unwind doesn’t bother them. But I have a feeling that isn’t you because you are still reading this…

So what’s the deal then? What can you do, besides watching TV or doom-scrolling that suits your needs at the end of the day? Some people just want to relax and chill out at the end of the day. Others feel like they have energy they need to burn off because they have been sitting all day. So here are a few ideas that you can do at the end of the day besides getting on technology. Hopefully at least one of them speaks to you or gives you just what you want after a long day at work.

#1: Play a game

I have been obsessed with playing uno. I ask my boyfriend to play with me almost every night. He’s actually sick of Uno because of me. I like this idea because it involves a little competition, a little strategy, and it keeps you in the moment. It is hard to play a game when one person is focused on the TV or thinking about something they have to do at work tomorrow. That’s why games are great for keeping you in the moment and connecting with what is actually in front of you! Some of our other favorite games & activities are Chess or doing a puzzle. We always have a puzzle on our coffee table. It’s a good conversation piece when you have friends over, or a good brain break in the middle of the day if you work from home!

#2: Journal

This one might be a little niche, but I love to journal. This helps me stay in tune with my mental health and it keeps my aligned with my goals and future aspirations. Journaling is one of those things that can take as much or as little effort as you want. You can look up writing prompts, guided journaling audios, or just write down whatever flows out of you! I love journaling because there are no rules and it is one of those things that you do just for you.

#3 Get Active

I get how this might seem coming from a personal trainer. Obviously this one was going to be on this list though! Quit saying you don’t have time for the gym, I promise you, you do. Instead of driving straight home after work, stop by the nearest gym and just spend 30 minutes there. You can even start with 10! I promise you will leave feeling better than you did walking in. If you don’t have access to a gym or don’t want to go to one, you can go for a walk, do a home workout on YouTube, or go to a workout class! This is a great way to get out the pent up energy you may have from being in an office all day long.

#4 Start a side hustle

This one is a little ambitious, but this one could also change your life! Think about some things you’re really good at. It might be drawing, making jewelry, doing hair, the list goes on! You could try selling some items on Etsy, taking your products to the nearest Farmer’s Market, or turning your drawings into prints, stickers, or greeting cards! This idea lets you get creative, entrepreneurial, and make some extra cash!

#5 Chef it up

Resist the urge to DoorDash something as soon as you get home — get creative in the kitchen or pick up a new recipe to try! Plus, this is a great way to romanticize your own life. Get a glass of wine (or make yourself a mocktail) and finally make that recipe that has been sitting in your Pinterest board for the last 2 years! You might even find your next signature dish!

#6 Pick up a book

I feel like reading is one of those long-lost art forms. We are so caught up in our shows that we forget the best stories are the ones printed on paper. Books are powerful. Even a fiction book can change the way you look at the world. Don’t know what book to read? There is this thing called BookTok… I’m sure you’ve heard of it. BUT, don’t let TikTok drag you in. Look for your book recommendation & then get out! You can also download Good Reads or just google “trending books” to figure out what to read. A book can give you the same kind of escape that a show or movie can but you’re actually using your brain & expanding your vocabulary while you’re doing it! If you’re not the biggest reader, find a new podcast or search for a free audiobook on Spotify. There are no excuses for not reading in this day & age.

#7 Get Social

This is a tough one to end off on because this one requires the most energy. Let me be the first to say that I am not typically getting social on a random Tuesday night. Like I said from the start, I love a routine & I am a creature of habit so I typically despise the idea of leaving my house after having to work all day. Every now and then though, it can be nice to switch things up & live a little. Grab some friends (or not) and go to a local bar, join a club, or try something new! Nowadays, so many bars, coffee shops, & other businesses do Trivia Nights, Run Clubs, Book Clubs, & more. You could also sign up for a cooking class, painting class, or pottery class! Explore your city! If you’re town doesn’t have a lot to offer, start your own club!

The Bonus 3

Okay, so you can’t part with your favorite reality show or your boyfriend insists on watching the latest trending TV show. I get it, which is why I decided to finish out this post with 3 things you can do while watching TV that will help you get out of the vicious screen daze.

#1 Stretch

I love this one because it is low effort but it is also getting a bit of movement in. Stretching while watching TV is one of my favorite life hacks, especially if watching TV is critical to your wind-down routine. Not only do you get to keep watching your favorite show, but you can also release tension from the day & feel that much better when going to bed. This is a really good one if you work from home or work a desk job because when you stay in one position the whole day, your muscles start to become really unbalanced. So hop to the floor, do some toe-touches, pigeon poses, or whatever your favorite stretches are!

#2 Get Creative

This one can be done while watching TV or not. I got into a major coloring phase last year and while I’ve since grown out of it, I still love to do it every now and then. There are a lot of super cute adult coloring books out there right now and they cost like 10 bucks! Get a couple of markers or crayons along with it & you’ve set yourself up for some creative relaxation! Some other things you could do to get creative is bedazzle, do a paint-by-numbers, or try crocheting or embroidery! Whatever you decide to do, getting creative can stimulate your brain in a much more productive way than just watching TV will — and you can pick up a new hobby!

#3 Get a walking pad

I know, I know, another active one, but I can’t help it! My walking pad is probably my favorite purchase of my life! If you insist on spending your evening watching a show or catching up on the reels your sister sent you, try doing it while walking! You’ll feel 10x more productive and you might get a little endorphin-boost afterwards. This is also probably the easiest way for you to get more steps in which is super important, especially if you work a desk job. You don’t even have to walk for long. Walk for 5, 10, or 20 minutes & you will reap at least a tiny benefit! You could even do 5 minutes on, 5 minutes off to keep yourself motivated! Before you know it, you’ll have walked 2 miles AND caught up on your sisterly duties.

I hope one of these activities sparked your interest. I’d love to hear which one you are trying out tonight! Let me know which is your favorite on Instagram, TikTok, or Pinterest @trainwithtorik OR email me at trainwithtorik@gmail.com! I’ve also linked some of my favorite activities below if you need a little more inspo!

My Favorites

Games

Workouts

Books

Creative Activities

Walking Pad

Tori Karach
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