For some of us, the idea of heading to the pub after a long day at work feels about as appealing as a swim in croc-infested waters. For others, it’s a tempting prospect – too tempting, in fact. The problem is how we wind up feeling the next day.
Whichever camp you’re in, the good news is that there are plenty of ways to unwind without resorting to booze. Here are five fun alternatives to help you shake off the workday blues, sans hangover.
1. Sweat It Out
Who needs a bar when you’ve got barbells? Take advantage of your workplace gym or nearby fitness facilities for a post-work endorphin boost. If your office is in the CBD, you’re probably a stone’s throw from a city gym or a scenic running path along the harbour. If you work remotely or are a sole contractor, you could find a coworking space in Melbourne, Sydney, or your nearest city centre and use the fitness facilities after a meeting or day of work. Many coworking spaces now offer yoga classes, weight rooms, or even rock climbing walls.
If gyms aren’t your style, consider starting a walking club. Explore hidden laneways, discover new street art, or challenge yourselves to find the best coffee shop within a 5 km radius. It’s amazing what you can discover about your city – and your friends – when you’re not hunched over a beer.
2. Backyard Cinema
Transform your backyard into a sunset theatre or cinema under the stars. Hang a white sheet, set up a projector (or a laptop if you’re feeling low-tech), and create a cosy viewing area with blankets and cushions. Choose a theme for the night – maybe Australian classics or terrible B-movies – and encourage everyone to dress up.
3. Booze-Free Art Party
Why pay for an overpriced paint and sip class when you can create your own? Gather your artistically-challenged friends, stock up on canvases and non-alcoholic beverages, and attempt to recreate famous Australian landscapes. By the end of the night, you’ll have a collection of “unique” interpretations of Uluru that look suspiciously like burnt toast.
4. Sunset Watch
Find a good vantage point in your city and treat yourself to nature’s daily spectacle. It’s a moment of calm before heading home, and a chance to pretend you’re all very deep and philosophical. Here’s how to elevate your sunset-watching game.
Make it a mission to find the best sunset-watching spots in your city. Rooftop bars (if you’ve got the willpower to order booze-free drinks), public parks with a view, or even a quiet street with a clear western or eastern aspect can work. Use the peaceful moment to share highlights of your day or week. It’s amazing how a beautiful sky can make even Karen from accounting’s passive-aggressive emails seem trivial.
5. Gallery Hop
Many galleries have late opening hours one day a week, perfect for an after-work cultural fix. Take a leisurely stroll through the exhibits, letting the art wash away your work-related worries. If you’re not that into art, you can make the experience your own by challenging your friends or work colleagues to come up with the most pretentious interpretation of each artwork. Bonus points for using words like “juxtaposition” and “post-modern ennui” in a sentence.
These activities might not give you the liquid courage to tell Dave from marketing that his cringey LinkedIn posts aren’t the masterpieces he thinks they are, but they will help you relax, bond with your friends or colleagues, and create memories that you’ll actually remember the next day.
