3 tips to optimize your evening for productivity

3 tips to optimize your evenings for productivity

10/20/2018

Image Credit: Roberto Nickson

When you get home from work, would you rather collapse on the couch or do something – hit the gym, meet up with friends, go for a bike ride? Most of us fall into one of these two camps, but there’s a happy medium to get the both of both worlds.
Let’s jump in.

keep on learning

Just because the work day is over, doesn’t mean you should switch your brain off. Just like the saying, “if you love what you do, you’ll never have to work a day in your life”, if you love what you’re learning about, it won’t feel like a mind bender. Research shows that a cognitively stimulating lifestyle can optimize your cognitive function throughout life. Has anyone ever asked you “What was the last book you read?”? Whether in an interview or as an awkward ice-breaker, in this day and age it becomes glaringly obvious that many of us no longer engage in the page-turning past-time. Setting aside time in your evenings to read a new book, bit by bit, or learn new skills, like how to bake a souffle or play a musical instrument, let your brain cells fire in your “off time” and it will pay off in the long run.

get a move on

If you’re more the active type, use your evenings to boost your exercise levels.
If you find yourself more stimulated after a workout and unable to fall asleep, exercise right after work, leaving plenty of time to relax before bedtime, or even move your routine to the morning hours. If you’re like me, you tend to sleep better after an evening workout, but it can be challenging to keep that time reserved.

That being said, if you’re already working out in the morning, don’t over-do it with a second session. We all know how painful shin splints can be, right? Ignoring that shin pain and not letting it heal will leave you stuck on the couch for longer than you can stand.

Whether you combine your desire to learn with a desire to move, like checking out a new indoor rock climbing gym or training for a triathlon, or you adopt one or the other, developing and maintaining hobbies provides you with a sense of identity outside of your job.

stay one step ahead

The last tip for making the most of your evening is to take step back towards the work day by prepping the night before. Consider writing a to-do list for the coming day each evening. Whether it’s after dinner, or in bed before you turn the lights out, writing down the tasks in your head help get them off your mind and have you waking up to a plan. Check out other tips to keep the momentum going throughout your week.