Waking up, cooking breakfast, commuting to work, clocking in from 9-to-5, commuting home, cooking dinner, going to bed—this repetitive cycle is the reality for many people, which can make weeks feel dreadful and boring. If you have a similar daily schedule, you may be looking for a way out. While some factors can’t be changed, such as your need to prepare meals and go to work, there are some ways you can add some excitement to your schedule to make your weeks more enjoyable.

Below, we’re going to cover five easy ways you can add some vibrancy to your week without taking up too much of your precious time. Take a look!

1. Schedule an evening activity

Sitting behind your desk at work with nothing to look forward to when you get home can make you not want to go home at all. One easy way to make your week more enjoyable is by breaking out of your daily routine and scheduling something fun or fulfilling once you clock out. There are a variety of worthwhile activities you can partake in once the evening sets in, such as:

• Movie night with friends or family: Once a week, schedule a movie night with your friends or family. You can have them meet at your home, or you can switch it up and visit a new friend or family’s home each week. If you’re all about the big screen, you can even make it a habit to go to the movies. To save some extra pennies, try going on Tuesdays, as most movie theaters offer discounts. 
• Art class: Many towns or neighboring towns have art studios where local artists can teach people like you to create beautiful masterpieces. Whether you’re into watercolors, pottery, or photography, looking for a weekly class you can attend will give you something to look forward to, and you may meet new friends and produce amazing work.
• Shopping trip: If you love fashion or the excitement of trying on new clothes, treat yourself to a shopping trip. Whether it be a mall or your local thrift store, shopping is a great way to express your personality and style.
• Have friends and family over for dinner: What better way to bond with those you love than through a delicious home-cooked meal? Once a week, invite your friends and family over for a casual get-together where you can socialize, indulge in tasty appetizers and entrees, and end the night with a mouth-watering dessert. You can even consider hosting a game night filled with fun games and puzzles.
• Start a hobby: A hobby is a great way to express your creative side and do something you look. Whether woodworking, gardening, singing, or hand-crafting jewelry, there are plenty of hobbies you can start to help brighten your week.

2. Surround yourself with pets

Pets are the perfect stress reliever to come home to after a long day of work. According to the National Institute of Health, it’s found that pets can decrease stress, improve heart health, help children with social and emotional skills, and can reduce loneliness.

There are a variety of pets you can choose from, such as dogs, cats, birds, lizards, fish, and gerbils. Whatever you choose, it’s important you give them the proper care they deserve. This means feeding them daily, refilling their water bowl, taking them out for walks, and being a great pet owner. 

If you work long hours or constantly travel, getting a pet might not be the right choice for your situation. If this is the case, there are plenty of puppy live streams and zoo live streams where you can get your daily dose of furriness and fun without the responsibility. 

3. Get some exercise

Exercising is another way to make your week more enjoyable. While the thought of waking up early before work to log some miles to lift some weights doesn’t sound like the most enjoyable pastime, there are actually many proven benefits of daily exercise. 

Have you ever heard of runner’s high? When you exercise, your brain increases levels of serotonin, which is the chemical that helps regulate your mood. When you complete a hard run or exercise, your body fills with these mood-boosting chemicals that can put you in a state of euphoria.  

Not only will you boost your mood after you exercise, but you may also be more productive, too. Exercising raises your energy levels and helps reduce stress and fatigue, which can help you be more efficient when you go to work.

There are a variety of exercises you can do to make your week more enjoyable, such as:

• Going for a morning or afternoon run, bike, or swim
• Hitting up the gym to lift weights
• Attending fitness classes, such as CrossFit, barre, yoga, cycling, or HIIT classes
• Going for a lunch-time walk with coworkers
• Going for a hike through nature

4. Treat yourself to an at-home spa day

There’s nothing a little R&R can’t fix. If you know you have a busy week coming up, gather all the materials you need to treat yourself to an at-home spa day. Not only will you save money from going to an expensive spa, but you’ll feel more relaxed and destressed after a long day. Some essential items to create an at-home spa include:

• Bath bombs
• Scented candles
• Bath tray for your book, snacks, and other items
• Nail polish 
• Plush towels
• Essential oil diffuser
• Bluetooth speaker for soothing music
• Clay mask
• Jade roller
• Robe

5. Get some rest

There’s nothing eight hours of sleep can’t fix. Being a workaholic means you may be giving up precious time needed for sleeping, which can make your waking hours less than ideal. Sleep deprivation can lead to a variety of adverse health consequences, such as a weakened immune system, high blood pressure, increased stress, difficulty concentrating, mood changes, and memory issues.

To prevent feeling groggy and irritable, make a solid effort to get the recommended eight hours of sleep. This can be done with a comforting mattress, such as a memory foam mattress, plush bedding that’s soft and cool, and limited distractions that might keep you up at night. Once you have the perfect sleeping sanctuary set up, you’ll have something to look forward to every day.

Also Read:   Top Mobile Apps For Every Startup

The bottom line

Your monotonous daily schedule doesn’t have to be on repeat. There are plenty of ways you can add some flash and flair to your days to make your week more enjoyable. From adopting a furry friend and treating yourself to an at-home spa day to exercising and partaking in an evening activity, these are just some of the easy ways you can make your week lively and exciting.

Author Bio

Samantha Rupp holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She is the managing editor for 365businesstips.com as well as runs a personal blog, mixedbitsmedia.com. She lives in San Diego, California and enjoys spending time on the beach, reading up on current industry trends, and traveling.