Engaging in activities on weekdays may benefit your mental and physical health. Some activities you may consider include gardening, walking, and signing up for clubs or classes.
By the end of the weekday, you may not feel like there is enough time left to engage in any activities. It can be tempting to spend the evening on the couch watching TV.
However, you can still participate in certain activities on weekdays. This can help you avoid the “living for the weekend” mindset. Depending on the activity you choose, it may even benefit your physical or mental health.
Gardening can be a good way to fit extra physical activity into your day. The
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Editor Louisa Wah heads to her community garden plot every day after work to tend to her vegetables and flowers. While she gardens, she also encounters chickens, birds, butterflies, bees, and all sorts of insects.
“It’s a great way for me to clear my mind, unwind, and connect with nature—not to mention the physical exercise I get as a bonus!” she says.
Editor Heather Hobbs says that gardening helps her feel more at peace and connected with nature, all while getting a bit of a workout.
“I read in a gardening book that it’s best practice to spend at least 10 minutes gardening each day so that you can stay on top of it, and so it feels like less of a chore you save for the weekend,” she says.
Some maintenance activities she does include:
- pulling weeds
- harvesting vegetables
- checking plants for infection and harmful insects
Walking at a brisk pace is
Editor Morgan Mandriota goes on walks with one of her best friends after work.
“At least once a week, we meet up at a local nature trail to get outside, move our bodies, and catch up/decompress for an hour or two,” she says.
Editor Tim Snaith heads for the sea, walking a circuit that takes him along an undercliff route that changes daily according to the tides.
“If the tide is out a long way, there are rockpools and seaweed, and I’ve convinced myself that walking over uneven rocks is good for the brain,” he says.
He also preps and begins cooking dinner before he leaves, so it is ready when he returns.
Recipes that cook while you walk
Socializing with others and maintaining friendships in adulthood may be beneficial for one’s overall well-being. One way to meet new people is to join clubs and classes.
Editor Samantha Costa signed up for a seven-week Monday night painting class at her local art center.
“It gives me something stimulating to look forward to after the weekend,” she says.
Editor Christina Snyder plans to join a once-weekly bowling league this Fall with some of her friends, which she says will be a fun way to enjoy the week.
She currently attends weeknight trivia with her friends to help break up the week and do something fun and interesting.
Some other clubs and classes you may consider joining include group fitness classes, book clubs, and tabletop gaming groups.
You don’t necessarily need to sign up for a formal class to reap the benefits of socializing. Editor Sarah Matysiak will do something around town with her friends, or simply watch a show and make a craft together.
Other activities
Some other activities you may consider include:
- seeing a movie (some theaters may have weeknight discounts)
- volunteering
- getting chores out of the way before the weekend, such as grocery shopping
While you may have less time on weekdays than on the weekend, there are still activities that you can participate in. Some activities you may consider include, but are not limited to, gardening, walking, and clubs or classes.
These activities can be even more enjoyable with friends, family, and loved ones. They can also help ensure your engagement by holding you accountable.