Routines are great. They help to get things done and get you in the right mood for things. Think about it. Does popping in your earbuds and finishing up your pre-workout shake have an effect on you? What about putting up a Christmas tree or cracking that first beer on the 4th of July. Point is doing certain things puts us in certain moods and gets us in certain states of mind. This is good as we can use routines that put us in certain states of mind to get what we want accomplished as well.
Let me explain. In this article I’m going to list three steps to getting in state for a night out. By state I don’t mean some coked up mindset where you go are crazy but rather where you get the good feelings flowing and know you’re headed for a good time. Different people have different routines depending on where they’re going and what they’re doing. This is mine and you may find it useful as well. Again by state I’m talking about feeling good and happy not where you’re out of your mind or crazy. Alright now for the steps.
Step #1 - Over Hydrate
If I know I’m going out that night and that it’s going to be a particularly long night I make sure that I’m chugging water first thing in the morning and continue that all day. I know that not only does hydration ensure that I get more done during the day but it also keeps me sharpen when drinking and keeps me from feeling too sick afterwards. Hydration pretty much makes everything better and one thing you should never do is start drinking when you’re dehydrated (granted I’ve broken this rule many many times).
I drink a lot of water anyways but when I know that night I intend to go out and party hard I make sure to increase my intake even more. This will vary from person to person and depend on what you’re doing during the day. For example say it’s Friday and you’re on a lawn crew doing all the stick work you’re going to have to drink a lot more water then they guy who is sitting in an air conditioned office going through paperwork all day. Regardless hydrate as a matter of fact over hydrate up until an hour or two before you are going to go out.
Step #2 - Do A Light Workout
I’m not talking about balls to the walls grind out that new PR workout. Or how hard can I push myself before I collapse workout. I’m talking about a light workout that is done to warm your body up and get good feelings going as well as give you a bit of a testosterone boost. Do something that you could do daily. Maybe it’s a hundred rep kettlebell workout or a set of complexes you do or an obstacle course of your making. Have a cardio component because you want to get your heart pumping and the blood flowing.
Again this isn’t a balls to the walls workout and I would suggest you shy away from that. Also this isn’t to get a pump for the club. That’s stupid and ridiculous. It’s about getting your body moving, your energy levels up, and getting god chemicals flowing in your body. It’s more about the mental benefits then it is about anything physical. Even a light bodyweight workout or going for a quick swim will do. Remember it’s about getting those good chemicals flowing.
Step #3 - Get Ready
Make yourself a drink or crack a beer (just one) hop in the shower and do what you gotta do. Use the restroom, take a shower, shave. Get yourself ready for the night. Clean up your room, make sure your sheets are clean(ish), and that you go everything ready for whatever you plan on doing at the end of the night. Might want to spruce up your bathroom as well. Put on some nice music as you dress and finish up your drink. Hit up friends, girls, or whoever your planning on seeing out.
Remember this is about priming good emotions. Getting the flow going so that you can build on it later. Something I do (but it’s optional) if after shaving and cleaning up in the shower switch it to ice cold and stand in it for thirty seconds. This adds on to the good feelings from the light workout and gives me even more energy. Then do some last minute checking of your place and make sure you have everything you need. Then head out.
Summary
There you go a simple effective routine for getting ready for a night out on the town. Hydration allows you to have much more fun without slowing down or feeling woozy. Combine hydration with the endorphins released from the workout and music and you’ll have a cocktail of good emotions and feelings to go with your actual cocktail. Also it takes care of cleaning up and making sure everything is ready for the end of the night.
If you have any questions you would like to see answered in a future post send them to me at charlessledge001 (at) gmail (dot) com. If you found value in this post then I would encourage you to share this site with someone who may need it as well as check out my books here. I appreciate it. You can follow me on Twitter here.
-Charles Sledge
