There’s nothing like coming home to relieve stress after a long, exhausting day at work. Everyone de-stresses in their own unique way, and believe it or not, there are more ways to unwind than curling up on the couch with a pint of ice cream in one hand and the TV remote in the other.
Every job has stressful situations that can make it difficult to relax after your shift. Recognizing how to loosen up after long hours of work can help you determine which activities best suit your interests and work best for you to enjoy. After all, making time for self-care will result in a happier, healthier employee in the long haul.
Relaxing after work has numerous advantages in both your personal and professional life. Making time to unwind after work can enable you to de-stress and concentrate on something else instead of your work obligations. Taking this time allows you to relieve mental stress from a long workday.
It also gives you a fresh perspective for the next workday. It is easier to make important decisions when you return to work with a rational mind. Furthermore, relaxing after work helps you relieve stress and reduce negative thoughts, which can help you avoid health complications.
While there are numerous ways to unwind after work, it is critical to determine which works best for you. Once you’ve determined what activities help you unwind, you can make time for them after work.
Get Physically Active
Nothing beats an endorphin rush for getting your mind out of work mode and into a state of relaxation. Whether you’re a runner, a pilates enthusiast, or a crossfitter, spending as little as 20 minutes in workout mode will enable your body to release endorphins, leaving you feeling euphoric.
Another fascinating benefit of regular exercise is that it allows your body to practice reacting to stress. Regular exercise, according to sports and exercise psychologist Dr. J. Kip Matthews, helps your body to optimize communication between the systems involved in the stress response. As a result, the less active we are, the more difficult it is to deal with physical and emotional stress.
Get Into Journaling
Consider keeping a journal in which you can express yourself through writing. To help you release and process your emotions and goals, write about them. Starting a journal can help you clarify your thoughts and feelings and will allow you to effectively solve any problems you face.
Journaling also allows you to gain a better understanding of yourself. This leads to better self-confidence and improved motivation toward work and life.
Get A Good Night’s Sleep
Give yourself the gift of a good night’s sleep if your work week has left you feeling overloaded and exhausted. A great science-backed hack for getting a good night’s sleep is to take a hot shower and then sleep in an air-conditioned room.
When you enter the air conditioner, the rapid drop in temperature causes a reversal of that process, with blood rushing from your extremities to your vital organs. The rush of blood to your vital organs will put you in a ‘rest and digest’ state by activating your parasympathetic nervous system, which is in charge of long-term survival.
Try Meditation
Meditation provides both short-term stress relief and long-term stress management benefits. There are numerous types of meditation to try, each with its own distinct appeal.
You could create a mantra to repeat in your mind as you take slow, deep breaths. You could also spend a few minutes practicing mindfulness, which involves being present in the moment. Simply focus on what you see, hear, taste, touch, and smell.
Disconnect From Work
Turn off your phone as soon as your shift ends to improve your work-life balance. You can set boundaries by leaving work at work and focusing on your personal life after work. This will help you avoid overwhelming emails that may tempt you to work after hours. Staying away from your phone before sleep can also help you sleep better and provide your eyes with a break from staring at a screen all day.
Key Takeaway
Whether you just finished a big project, had some difficult conversations or found yourself rushing through the week like there’s no tomorrow, it’s time to learn how to relax after work.
If your mind is racing with work-related thoughts, the points mentioned above are practical and efficient activities you can take to reset and relax after a long work week. With them, you can face another work week recharged and motivated.
