Having a stressful day at work can really affect your mood for the rest of the day. In many cases, it gets so bad it starts to seriously affect your mental health. That is why finding efficient ways to de-stress after a long day is very important. These 16 easy tips will help you out.
Go for a walk
One of the easiest ways to de-stress is by going for a walk or a run. Not only is it important and beneficial for your overall health, but it is also great for relieving stress and boosting one's workplace productivity. So, if you feel stressed out after a long and busy day at work, then go for a walk.
You can walk around the park or go for a run. You can try yoga, or go for a swim. Find some friends who would like to play a pickup game of basketball after work. Any of these activities are great for boosting your heart rate and will manage to de-stress you as well as prepare you for a new day.
Paint
Art can also help you de-stress after a long day at work. Don't be scared to be creative. Focus on working on your masterpiece, and your mind will easily wander from the issue that might have been bugging you the whole day. Put your laptop away, take your set of paints and paintbrushes, and let your imagination go wild. You can also draw a picture by using coloured pencils.
Stretch
Stretching your muscles after a stressful day can be beneficial in many different ways. You can either try some of your own stretching exercises or you can do some Pilates or yoga. These exercises will help with the tight muscles by relaxing them and loosening them up a bit. They will also help you de-stress and they will also help you sleep a lot better if you do them before going to bed.
Drink water
You need to drink water regularly. Dehydration will slow down your brain and it will generally affect your productivity and mood. Not only will drinking water regularly help your overall physical health, but it will also clear your mind and help you relax, even on those chaotic days.
Meditate
Meditation is the key to de-stressing. There are many different ways to meditate and you will be able to find the one that suits you and your needs best. If you’re new to the world of meditation, you can always look up some of the apps that will help you throughout the process of learning. Also, YouTube has so many videos of guided meditation that will help you start out. These exercises will help you ease your mind and relax your body after having a rough day.
Use music
It has been proven that music has an inevitable impact on our minds and bodies. Music can be very soothing for you and can help you relax and de-stress after a long day at work. It even has the ability to slow your heart rate and reduce your blood pressure in the process.
All you need to do is find the right music for you; the one that you find relaxing. Whenever you feel stressed out or overwhelmed by the amount of work you have to do, just put on a pair of headphones and close your eyes. It will set a certain mood and help you relax.
You can even combine several different types of music. You can play some motivational music for a workout while you're sweating your stress and then choose something more soothing before you go to sleep.
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Immerse yourself in fiction
Escaping into a whole new world of fiction is one of the best ways to de-stress. No matter what genre of novels you prefer, immersing yourself in a fictional world and reading about characters that you can relate to can really help you relax and get your mind off of work.
Find a comfortable reading spot in your house, make yourself some coffee or tea, and dive into the world of fiction. Reading will kick-start your imagination and prepare you for other creative pursuits such as painting or writing, which are also great activities for de-stressing.
Socialize
Try to spend some time with your loved ones. They will help move your attention away from work and other stressful thoughts. They will offer you empathy and make you laugh. Now, work can make you feel tired and you might not be in the mood to be around people. However, there are some potential solutions. You can choose to hang out with low-maintenance friends or family members, or you can take a quick power nap after work and then try to socialize. Either way, you will be able to de-stress and spend some quality time with your friends and family.
Drink relaxing teas
Try to avoid drinking a lot of coffee, soda, or wine and turn to herbal teas instead. There are numerous options you can try out. Many of these teas are full of healthy antioxidants that are extremely beneficial both for your mind and body. For instance, chamomile is a staple, but you need to try experimenting with other types such as rose and hibiscus, or even lemon-flavoured tea.
Take a hot bath or shower
You can also take a relaxing bath or a shower, depending on what you prefer. No matter which one you choose, remember to make the whole event as leisure as possible. Make sure you enjoy every second of it. Try to appreciate every scent and sensation associated with your shower products. Not only will it help in relaxing your muscles, but it will also make you feel refreshed and relaxed. Do this before going to bed so that you can slip into comfy pyjamas right away and go to sleep feeling relaxed and sleepy.
Vent in your journal
Another great way to relax is to keep a journal. It will help you get any negative emotions out by putting them on paper. Think of a journal as your safe space. This is where you can externalize all your stresses and anxieties after a long and stressful day. In the end, this is what will allow you to disconnect from them altogether. Try to make it a habit. Take at least 20 minutes every day, preferably before going to bed, to unload your thoughts and emotions into a diary. This will help you process your emotions in a much healthier way.
Stay physically active
Walking and running aren't the only activities that will help you relax your mind. Being physically active in general can really be beneficial for you. No matter what type of exercise you choose, you can never go wrong. You can come up with your own at-home workouts, do yoga, or even go riding a bike. All of these will be very beneficial for your overall health and they will help you de-stress on a busy workday.
For instance, riding a bike can be very helpful because it will help you focus on one task. It will get your mind off of other things while improving your health and helping you relax. It doesn’t even matter if you choose to ride in your home or if you go to a professional bicycle shop to get an equipped one - you can go ride outside with your friends. What matters is that you take at least some time during the day for this type of physical activity because it will make a huge difference.
Take a bubble bath
You can have your own spa day at home if you want. All you have to do is make yourself a bubble bath, put on a face mask, and relax. You can play your favourite TV show as you are taking a bubble bath, or you can read a book, depending on what you prefer. Just take your time, and don't rush. This is your day.
Create a serene space in your home
Your home needs to be the place you look forward to coming to. You need to create a relaxing and soothing atmosphere that will welcome you after a long, stressful day at work. Now, we all know that your home might not be the most stress-free place in the world, especially if you have kids. It can be quite challenging to relax when you have kids screaming at each other in the living room, overflowing dishes in the sink, and other chores waiting for you.
That is why you need to create that serene space in your home. You need that space where you will be able to unwind and relax. It is all about balance. You need to bring versatility, comfort, and style into your relaxing space. You need to create a lounge area that is both magical and functional. In other words, your lounge space shouldn't just be a place for you to take a nap. Though that is generally the goal, your space should also be functional. Try to include things that can help you pursue your favourite hobbies. For example, if you enjoy writing, set up a writer’s desk.
Unplug
Electronics are a helpful and crucial part of our lives. They help you get things done easily and quickly. However, they can be damaging to your mental health and since they make the flow of information a bit overwhelming at times, they can make you feel even more stressed out. Try to stick to a rule that says you can't use any devices such as phones, tablets, and the computer for at least 30 minutes a day. You don't need to reply to every mail immediately. Try to unplug and leave your phone in a separate room.
Leave work at the office
Lastly, you need to learn how to leave work at the office. For most people, it's really hard to enter a state of relaxation because they constantly bring their work home with them. It can either be physically or mentally.
Physically leaving work at the office is straightforward and pretty self-explanatory. Simply turn off your email and try not to bring documents or computers home. Try to cut yourself off from any communication until the next morning.
On the other hand, mentally leaving work at the office is a lot more challenging. This means that you need to forget about the fact that your boss scolded you that morning. You also need to stop thinking about that looming project deadline. You need to train yourself to do this more often, and over time it will become easier for you to unwind.
Conclusion
Relaxing after a busy and stressful day at work involves many different methods, most of which include both physical and mental relaxation. Try them all out and see what works best for you.
Written by Lena Hemsworth
About the Author
Lena Hemsworth is a lifestyle blogger, foodie, and lover of a good book. She's also a strong believer in the written word and positive thoughts.
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