Living the 5-9 Lifestyle

Working 9-5 may still be the way to make a living for most people, but making the most of the 5-9 is a growing trend that encourages people to spend their downtime experiencing something new, proving that travel needn’t be reserved for the weekend. It’s time to clock off and step out of the comfort zone in those precious non-working hours…

As much as the working landscape has changed, with remote working ever on the rise, many people are still tethered to the traditional 5 day working week, and craving the escapes that the weekend and days off give them. With this in mind, more and more workers are discovering the opportunity those post-work hours give them to experience something new and get out of their comfort zone, relishing what’s now known as the ‘5-9 lifestyle’. It is now more possible than ever to have an adventure or a unique experience that takes just a few hours, whether it be an indulgent spa treatment, a Michelin Star dinner, or a nature-filled experience.

Weekdays just became the new weekends…

For nature lovers, Britain has an incredible selection of spots in which to take a big step back and an even bigger breath in, and these aren’t just confined to the remotest corners of the countryside. The surrounding countryside of bustling cities such as Bath, Edinburgh, Cardiff, and even London, is bursting with national parks, wildlife, and accessible walks, allowing people to clock off at 5 and be breathing in the majesty of nature by 6 - a perfect antidote to a day at the laptop, especially in the summer months. With even just a short time in natural surroundings having been proven to lower cortisol levels, daily stresses start to disappear as we open ourselves up to nature, and we return to our desks the next morning suitably refreshed.

Live the 5-9 lifestyle: Head to Lucknam Park for an evening of outdoor adventures, from forest bathing to horse riding, using the outdoor gym, or simply exploring one of the trails.

For many, the ultimate switching off experience is a pamper session, and evening spa experiences can be the perfect way to cleanse the mind and body of the working day, and make even a Monday evening feel like a weekend treat. Spas across the British Isles are remaining open later and extending their packages to include a delicious dinner, tapping into exactly what hard workers need at the end of a long day and sending them into the rest of their working week with a renewed sense of wellbeing and relaxation.

Live the 5-9 lifestyle: Book in a treatment at Cottonmill at Sopwell House, just half an hour from London and offering indulgent treatments, state-of-the-art facilities, and a chance for the ultimate relaxation in the Rose Relaxation Room.

For those less naturally gifted cooks, the thought of slaving over a hot stove after a long day is the opposite of switching off. There is only one solution to that problem: dinner cooked by an outstanding chef in beautiful surroundings, resulting in absolutely no washing up. Many award-winning and Michelin Star restaurants offer special mid-week menus to make the most of, not to mention increased availability, meaning a Wednesday evening could be the perfect time to finally try that restaurant that has been earmarked for months. What’s more, with so many of Britain’s best restaurants tucked away in the countryside, jumping in the car or on the train transforms dinner from three courses in a restaurant to a mid-week adventure, and a chance to explore somewhere new.

Live the 5-9 lifestyle: Gravetye Manor is easily accessible yet surrounded by Sussex countryside, serving up delectable dishes at its Michelin-starred The Dining Room, with a focus on seasonality and sustainability.