After a long week of work, nothing helps you unwind for the weekend like enjoying happy hour with your co-workers and friends. While this time-honored tradition may seem like little more than a weekly ritual, there’s more to it than that. Believe it or not, grabbing drinks and tasty food after work has some surprising benefits that can help improve friendships and strengthen social ties. Here’s how.

4 Benefits of Happy Hour

1. Helps You Get to Know Your Co-Workers

Conversations in the office are rarely able to flow freely and most topics have to center around work-related events and tasks. This can make it difficult to get to truly know your co-workers. By going to happy hour at the end of the week or after a particularly long workday, you’ll have the chance to talk about things outside of work. The more you get to know your co-workers, the more fun work can be during the week.

2. Improves Your Mood

If you’ve been stressing about a specific task at work or a particular client, there’s a good chance that your co-workers feel the same. By taking a step back and being able to share your frustrations with the people you work with, you’ll likely feel better about the entire situation. Best of all, you’ll be able to bond with others over the experience, helping bring you closer together as a team.

3. Bolsters Good Moods

Sharing in triumphs and accomplishments at the end of the day is a wonderful way to keep your mood high for the rest of the week. By going to happy hour at local restaurants, you’ll have the chance to enjoy your good mood and share in the fun with your co-workers. When you celebrate with others, it only enhances your good mood and helps others maintain theirs as well.

4. Fosters Better Teamwork

It’s often easier to work with others when you’re friends. By going to happy hour on a regular basis with the same group of people, you’ll start to develop friendships even if you’re little more than acquaintances when you start. The more you get to know your co-workers, the better you’ll understand their quirks, their skills, and their passions. This will help you work together more efficiently in the office while also expanding your social circle outside of work.

Looking for a wonderful place to begin an after-work tradition? Stop by Papa Rocco's in Gulf Shores, AL. Their menu has something for everyone whether you’re looking to split a pitcher and indulge in delicious pizza or want something a bit healthier like oysters on the half shell. Join them for happy hour Monday through Friday from 11 am to 7 pm and unwind at the end of your workday with your favorite co-workers. Preview their menu online and call (251) 948-7262 for more information.