Friday night hangout suggestions that can help you relax

You’ve survived another week of Lagos traffic, demanding bosses, back-to-back meetings, and adulting in full swing. By the time Friday rolls around, all your body wants is peace, pepper soup, and maybe a soft playlist.

Unfortunately, you can't get any of these on a platter. You must desire it enough to chase after it. You don't have to spend every Friday night scrolling through social media pages and liking pictures.

Sometimes, be intentional about relaxing. Here are Friday night hangout ideas that can help you truly breathe out and reclaim your calm.

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Not every hangout needs Uber or lashes. Sometimes, peace lives in your living room. Yes, you heard that right. You can create the peace and fun you desire in the comfort of your house. You just need to put a few ideas together, and you'll be good to go. Some ideas that always work include:

There's probably no better and more efficient way to relieve stress than combining friends with banter. Whether it’s your flatmates, siblings, or chosen family, a low-effort game night can be the perfect reset. Guess what: it doesn't even cost as much as you think. Some of the things you can do to spice the atmosphere up include:

• Bring out the cards, Ludo, Monopoly, Jenga, or even Charades

• Add snacks, small chops, or suya

• Create mini prizes or forfeits to spice things up

• Play some Afrobeat or throwback jams

Why settle for one spot when you can taste three? Pick a few local food joints or night markets and hop between them. The good thing about this option is that you can either go solo or with friends. Remember, there's no better joy than combining food with movement and discovery. So whether it is small shops from your favourite kiosk, or boiled and fish from a trusted roadside vendor, just taste as many things as you can and enjoy the night.

Music heals. If you're musically inclined - or just not shy - you can always set up a mini karaoke night at home or hit a local lounge with good tunes.

DIY version:

• Connect your phone to the speakers

• Use YouTube karaoke versions of your favourite songs

• Rate each other’s "performances" for fun

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Not all relaxation needs to be expensive or elaborate. The key is to intentionally unplug from the pressure of the week and create space to enjoy the moment, whether alone or with people you love.