10 Ways to Refresh Your Evening Routine

Bring the kids to their extracurricular activities, pick up the grocery order, rush home, get dinner going, help the kids with homework, scramble through baths and bedtime, clean up the kitchen – phew!

If your evenings are anything like this, it’s understandable if all you want to do is sit down and zone out when you finally get the chance. Whether you both work in or out of the home, have children, pets, or just a busy life in general, those evening hours are often time to relax and unwind before hitting the sack. If you’re sick of settling in for the same old streaming session, here are ten ways to refresh your evening routine.

1. Read together.

Pick up a copy of the same book for a “book club” experience, enjoy your own separate reads in each other’s company, or even take turns reading to each other. There is something cozy and comforting about cuddling up together with a book. Plus, it’s a great non-stimulating activity to help settle your mind before bed.

2. Listen to a podcast.

These days, there is a podcast for every mood, interest, or occasion – find one that strikes both of your interests. Put it on as you go about your other evening tasks or kick back and simply listen. Whether you’re learning something new or laughing together, this is a great twist on the usual screen time.

3. Become puzzle people.

Start small and finish it in one evening, or go big with the 1,000 piece and work on it a little each night. Many people find working on jigsaw puzzles to be super relaxing, plus it offers a nice backdrop for great conversation between you and your spouse.

4. Go for a walk or bike ride.

With the days getting longer, an after-dinner walk or bike ride can be a welcome change to embrace, especially if you’ve been cooped up for the winter. It’s a great way to stay active while spending quality time together.

5. Meditate, pray, or do a devotional together.

Finding ways to nurture your spirituality and incorporate that into your daily routine can be really rewarding – a great way to put your mind at ease and relieve stress at the end of the day.

6. Start a workout program.

Having a workout partner can motivate you and help you be more consistent. Why not start a new program or routine with your spouse? Although it’s not for everyone, some people swear by working out in the evening – give it a shot!

7. Complete a section in the Discussion Guide for Couples.

Meaningful conversations with your spouse help you feel close and connected to each other while also providing the opportunity for “preventative maintenance” on your relationship. The Discussion Guide for Couples is a great way to inject some novelty into these conversations. It can also help you explore topics that you’ve maybe avoided or haven’t talked about recently.

8. Be intentional about screen time.

You could try to eliminate screen time altogether, but if that seems unrealistic, try being more intentional about it instead. For example, maybe you ditch your phones in the other room so that you can actually pay attention to the movie you’re watching. Or instead of rewatching that series you’ve already seen twice, you could work your way through that classic trilogy neither of you have seen.

9. Start up an ongoing board game.

Choose something that works well with just two people, like Scrabble or chess. When one game ends, start up another so that you can play for a bit every night. Some good-natured competition is a fun way to nurture your friendship.

10. Create a combo.

Combine any of the things on this list for a unique evening routine that you both get excited about. Consider switching things up depending on the day of the week, season, or mood.

What are your favorite ways to liven up your evening routine? Let us know in the comments!