The ‘Ber months—October, November, and December—can get overwhelmingly busy, with packed schedules leaving little room for downtime or your favourite pastimes. Taking a moment to relax is essential for staying grounded during this hectic season, so we recommend setting aside a night just for yourself. Our guide to the ultimate night in will help you unwind, recharge, and feel rejuvenated.
Your perfect night in
Before you begin to plan the details, there are a few things you should ensure you have on hand.
- Cozy clothes. Since the weather is beginning to get colder, you’ll need a selection of comfortable, cozy clothes for your evening. Change out of the constricting jeans or boots.
- A selection of delicious snacks and drinks. Since you’re taking a little time for yourself, you could order in some junk food or shop for snacks that you don't have to cook beforehand. A glass of wine, a cup of tea or a mug of cocoa would be the perfect complement to your dinner or snacks.
- Blinkers. What we mean by this is no checking work texts or emails, no organizing family events, or doing anything that might be misconstrued as “productive”. This night-in is all about doing things you enjoy just for fun and taking a little time for yourself.
- Ambiance. Dim the lights, turn on the fireplace and light a few candles. Harsh, bright light is not conducive to relaxation, so create an atmosphere and help yourself take it easy.
Your night-in activities
1. Run a bubble bath
Nothing relaxes the body and mind like a deep, hot bath full of bubbles. Run a deep bath, pour in your favorite bath salts or bubble bath, and take a load off. You’ll come out squeaky clean and ready for a night of enjoyment in your own domain.
2. Watch a comfort movie
Take advantage of having the remote all to yourself and screen a movie you love to watch over and over again. Your comfort movie makes you feel calm and happy no matter how many times you've seen it and it's something you can watch without even giving your full attention to the TV screen.
3. Keep your hands busy
Since your comfort movie doesn't require all of your attention, you could do something fun like build a puzzle or model, knit or crochet while you watch and snack. Engaging in an activity keeps your mind on the task at hand and not wandering to things going on in your life like bills, deadlines, and that visit to the dentist you’ve been trying to forget.
4. Try your luck
Fold yourself into your favorite seat and open your browser to try a few online casino games. Playing a few slots or trying out a few hands of Texas Hold’em will take your mind off of any pressing concerns for a little while and might even result in an unexpected windfall if you’re lucky. Playing casino games just for fun is something you could do from the couch, the kitchen or even the bathtub.
5. Pamper yourself
A night in is the perfect time to treat yourself to a little at-home spa session. There are at-home versions of all your favorite spa treatments: hand and foot treatments, hair masks, face masks—the works. Get a selection prepared beforehand and keep the products within easy reach or maximum relaxation.
6. Indulge in something delicious
If you enjoy cooking and feel at ease in the kitchen, you may want to cook yourself your favorite meal on your night in. If you feel like you'd rather have takeout on the couch than create dishes that will need to be cleaned, you could either order in and/or indulge in all your favorite junk food snacks. You’re a grown-up after all, which means you can eat whatever you like—including candy for dinner—as long as it’s done in moderation.
7. Get lost in a good book
One of the perks of a wonderful night at home is that your bed is never too far away. Put on your favorite pajamas, make yourself a cup of soothing tea and get into bed with a good book. It's good practice to avoid screen time for at least an hour before bed to help your brain gear down in preparation for sleep. Screens stimulate the brain and keep it awake rather than helping it transition into sleep mode, whereas reading a book is a calming activity that prepares you for a night of uninterrupted rest. Plus, reading has the added benefit of transporting you into whatever world or situation you can imagine.
Your night-in awaits
Taking this time for yourself to replenish your resources will help you get through stressful situations and keep you going week after week. Be sure to schedule nights in for yourself (or some other self-care activities) as often as you can.
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