You finish the work day, your head still buzzing about the tasks you have to complete tomorrow, that one rude customer, or the words of your supervisor.
You rush home, happy to be done with the day, but unsure what to do now. You want some time to yourself, to enjoy the evening, but you’re too tired to do much. So, you put on your comfort show, or scroll on your phone until it’s time for bed.
Sound a bit too familiar? If so, you’re not alone. Between working, groceries, laundry, dishes, childcare (for some), exercise, a social life… It’s normal to be overwhelmed and fatigued at the end of the day.
Luckily, there are some low-effort, cozy hobbies you can try to make your nights feel more fun.
1) Reading
Many of us have a complicated relationship with reading. We’re often forced to read and analyze books in school, to the point that it’s no longer an enjoyable activity. If you read documents/emails all day, sometimes the last thing you want to do is pick up a book. But, finding a series you truly enjoy can be a great way to relax and keep your mind off stressors, while improving your vocabulary! Remember, there’s many (many) genres out there, ranging from dragons to romance to informative nonfiction. You don’t have to slug through something you hate.
2) Cozy video games.
If you’re more of a gamer, but find yourself screaming at a screen before bed, it might be time to try some fun, slow-paced games, like:
- Stardew Valley. In this game, you play as a young woman who wants to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. You can farm, interact with other villagers, fish, raise animals, and much more.
- Animal Crossing. A classic cozy game where you live on an island, and are free to do as you choose. Similar to Stardew Valley, you can fish, play games, talk to others, build, and more.
- Spiritfarer. If you’re more into a game with a storyline, this one is for you. This game takes place in the afterlife, and the player is the ferryman who helps spirits crossover.
3) Crocheting and/or knitting
If you like to keep your hands busy, give crocheting or knitting a try. There are many starter kits with instructions to learn how to do these activities, making it perfect for beginners. You can even listen to an audio book while you do so!
4) Colouring
Adults can enjoy colouring books too! A cheap set of markers or pencil crayons, and an adult colouring book is all you need for a relaxing evening. Also consider other activity books like sudoku, word searches and crosswords.
5) Glamorize movie/show night
Sometimes you really do need to just kick back and enjoy some screen time, which is not a problem! Make it a little cozier with some fuzzy socks, a fun drink/snack, baked goods, a good blanket, and some low lighting. This makes the relaxation feel a bit more intentional, and signals to your brain that it’s time to chill out.
No matter what hobby you choose, remember, a few minutes is always better than none! If you read a few pages or add a few stitches, it will still provide a sense of accomplishment.
If you still have difficulty with feeling anxious or stressed (work-related or not), feel free to reach out to our trained counsellors here.
