Staying in is the new going out.

According to recent surveys, millennials are increasingly choosing to stay indoors on the weekend rather than go out to pubs or clubs. Research by Heineken has also found that when we do venture outside 75 per cent of us drink in moderation. Essentially, we’re a generation of homebodies who don’t get as drunk at the club as our previous counterparts used to.

Staying home on a Friday night is not all doom and gloom, as we’ve obviously discovered. In fact, staying home rather than going out can have a positive effect on our wellbeing.

Here are five reasons why staying in is better for us than going out.

#1 It’s Cheaper

At a time when property prices are skyrocketing and the cost of living seems to get more expensive as each day passes, staying at home on the weekend can ease the burden on our bank accounts. Instead of going out and paying ridiculous prices for drinks at a bar, you can get more bang for your buck by simply having a glass or two at home. By staying at home, you won’t have to wake up the next day dreading the damage you’ve done to your savings. Surely that’s good for our wellbeing.

#2 It’s Comfortable

No need for those uncomfortable high heels or trying to decide what shirt to wear with those pants. At home, you can wear your pyjamas without judgement, stress free. Putting your feet up for some well-deserved R&R has never looked so attractive.

#3 It’s Healthier

We can lead pretty stressful lives. Balancing work, relationships, and other commitments in this day and age can take its toll. Using the weekend to reset and re-balance yourself can do wonders for your wellbeing. A study by BBC Earth and the University of California found that watching TV shows about nature lowered people’s stress levels, so stay home, put on some David Attenborough and de-stress. Plus, if you’re staying at home watching Netflix instead of going out and drinking, there’s no hangover. That’s definitely healthier, right?

#4 It’s Restorative

A 2012 study from the University of Buffalo’s Research Institute on Addictions suggests that watching re-runs of your favourite TV shows can “provide a variety of benefits, which may enhance overall wellbeing”. Specifically, watching your favourite TV show can have a restorative effect on your energy levels and increase your “pro-social behaviour”, so you’re more likely to express forgiveness and show empathy to others after thinking about your favourite show. Sounds good to me.

#5 It’s Chill

Let’s face it, you’re not going to get along with everyone. When you’re out and about on the weekend you run the risk of bumping into people that you don’t particularly gel with. Combine that with a bit of alcohol and the situation can deteriorate quite quickly. At home, this risk is eliminated. It’s likely that the only drama you will encounter at home is the kind of drama you invite into your lounge room through the TV screen, and that drama is fun. Conclusion? Staying home is so much more chill.

Image Sources: Pexels, Glamour.