This is an iHeart Podcast. Hey listeners, today's tip is powered by National University.
Before breakfast, you know my goal is to help you make the most of your day. without sacrificing work or family time.
That's why I'm so happy to introduce an institution that shares the same values.
If you are thinking about going back to school, you're probably wondering how to fit it all in.
National's flexible online formats, four- and eight-week courses, and monthly class starts help you begin your degree sooner, finish faster, and do it all on your own schedule. so you have more options for managing work, family, and school.
With over 150 degrees, credentials and certificates to choose from, They have a program that fits your career goals.
Learn more today at nu.edu. Welcome to Before Breakfast, a production of iHeartRadio.
This is Laura. Welcome to the Before Breakfast podcast.
Today's tip is to celebrate your golden hours.
That is, the hours after work and before bed.
These evening hours can be hard to use well.
But time is time, and with a little intention.
These hours can be a favorite part of the week.
So I hear from many people about their time.
And I know that the hours after work and before bed can be a particular pain point.
For many parents of young kids, this second shift can feel like a slog of feeding and bathing people. and trying to convince them to go to bed, so you can do it all over again the next day.
For other folks, the evening can fill with mindless screen time. and nothing more memorable than the knowledge that the day ended eventually.
Not all time can be bliss, of course, but these post-work hours comprise a reasonable proportion of people's leisure and family time.
If you are home from work at 5.30pm and in bed at 10.30pm, That is 20 hours, spread over Monday to Thursday.
That's a lot of time to spend unintentionally or worse, wishing it away.
But what if we reimagine this time as our golden hour?
What if we saw them as a potential source of pleasure?
Not in some future time, but now. I do think it is possible and even a little planning. can go a long way toward changing the experience of time.
The phrase golden hour is often used in photography to describe that hour around sunset. when the light makes everyone look good.
But I also like the connotations of golden years. a phrase describing an era of active leisure and family time after a period of hard work.
Golden years come in retirement, but golden hours could happen every day.
I think this potential rebranding can be helpful for switching up our mindset.
The Monday to Thursday golden hours can be made a lot more pleasurable by doing a few things.
First, take a night off. If the second shift is feeling like a slog, make plans to skip it one night.
I think all busy people should take one night for you. and commit to something apart from work and family responsibilities.
I sing in a choir most Thursday nights. You could take a salsa dancing class or join a spiritual small group. or play pickleball.
Figure out what would make you excited about life.
Figure out the logistics. And spend your golden hours doing that, one night per week.
Second, plan little adventures. We start counting the hours toward bedtime when we're bored.
So at least one night a week, why not bust the routine a little and do something more memorable?
It can be a family walk or trip to a different playground. or a picnic, or a trip to a library branch with evening hours.
Think about what family activities you might find enjoyable and pick a night to try.
If you are not caring for small kids or aren't on some nights, you could try different adventures.
Meeting friends, trying a different workout class, or going for an evening run.
Maybe cooking something elaborate. Evening hours often feel forgettable, but golden hours don't need to be.
Third, ease your pain points. Part of honoring the golden hours is figuring out when you are most miserable. and doing what you can to make those moments better.
If you hate cooking while a toddler is pulling at your leg, Why not get some easy to prepare foods that you are excited about?
Lots of grocery stores sell reasonably healthy meals like a piece of salmon with some veggies and a sauce. that you just have to stick in the oven.
If you dread bath time, maybe kids don't need to bathe so often.
Find bedtime stories you want to read. If you are stuck in a child's room waiting for them to go to sleep, feel free to read something lowbrow on the Kindle app.
Set a timer and refuse to spend more time on chores than that limited time. so you don't feel like you are wasting your night.
Fourth, upgrade your leisure. Some people have more leisure time during their golden hours than others.
But everyone can make the most of the time they have.
Stock up on easy reading material and indulge in some supplies for a favorite hobby. make a list of favorite accessible activities like sitting outside by a fire pit or taking a bath.
And make sure to do at least one of these during your golden hours each week.
Finally, end well. One reason I recommend people set a bedtime, especially during the work week. is that an endpoint gives structure to a day.
You can be a bit more mindful of your golden hours if you know how many you have. verse viewing them as amorphous and uncertain.
You can also create a bedtime ritual that helps you feel cozy, calm, satisfied with your day.
Drifting off to sleep early enough that you will feel well-rested in the morning can make any day Feel more golden.
In the meantime, this is Laura. Thanks for listening.
And here's to making the most. of our time.
Hey everybody, I'd love to hear from you.
You can send me your tips, your questions, or anything else.
Just connect with me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at Before Breakfast Pod.
That's B-E, the number four, then breakfast, P-O-D.
You can also shoot me an email at beforebreakfastpodcast at iheartmedia.com.
That before breakfast is spelled out with all the letters.
Thanks so much. I look forward to staying in touch.
Before Breakfast is a production of I Heart Radio.
For more podcasts from I Heart Radio, Visit the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. yeah yeah yeah Hey listeners, today's tip is powered by National University.
Before breakfast, you know my goal is to help you make the most of your day. without sacrificing work or family time.
That's why I'm so happy to introduce an institution that shares the same values.
If you are thinking about going back to school, you're probably wondering how to fit it all in.
National's flexible online formats, four- and eight-week courses, and monthly class starts help you begin your degree sooner finish faster, and do it all on your own schedule. so you have more options for managing work, family, and school.
With over 150 degrees, credentials and certificates to choose from, They have a program that fits your career goals.
Learn more today at nu.edu. iHeart presents the Big 3 Playoffs.
This Sunday, the remaining 14. teams battle to make the championship in the most physical, fierce and competitive basketball league in the world.
This action starts with the Big 3 Monster Energy Celebrity Game. and his Ellie Riott take on Montrezl Harrell and Dr. J's Chicago Triplets.
The finale will see popular Miami 305 with stars MVP Michael Beasley and Lance Stevenson take on Nancy Lieberman's Dallas Power.
Who will make it to the Big 3 Championship?
The No Holds Barred action starts Sunday at 3 p.m.
Eastern, 12 Pacific, only on CBS. This is an iHeart Podcast.
