Some days are worse than others. While we all want our lives to go swimmingly, sometimes stress can get in the way and make us think life is falling apart. It happens to the best of us and trying to find a balance between work and relaxation isn’t easy. When you have a bad day at work, it can often loom over you and ruin your time at home when you should be relaxing instead.
There are a number of ways to unwind after a stressful day at work and some of them you might not have thought of before.
Focus on the Positives
When things are going wrong or stressing you out, it can seem hard to focus on the positives in life. All you can think about are the negatives, but that can be easily changed. If you want to unwind and allow yourself a moment to breathe, why not try writing down a list of all the things that went right or were good in the day as soon as you get home. This way, it will allow you to get in the right mindset to enjoy the rest of your day instead of lingering on the past.
Do Nothing
This may seem simple enough but try and do nothing for at least ten minutes to centre yourself. It’s a lot harder than it seems as you will want to do something. We are in a society that loves to be busy and doing nothing is seen as being lazy and in a bad light. Try breathing slowly and closing your eyes to let the time pass you by and before you know it, the ten minutes will be over. You will be surprised to find how much more peaceful you are after doing this.
Treat Yourself
It doesn’t have to be anything major. It could be as simple as buying your favourite tub of ice cream or buying the new book you’ve been wanting to read for a while. Going back to basics and treating yourself gives you a chance to relax and forget about the stress of your day at work. If it’s a treat that you can eat, then it will be even better as the endorphins released into your body will make you feel happy.
Meditate
If you enjoy doing yoga then that will help you to unwind after a stressful day, but you could also simply meditate. Controlling your breathing can help to manage stress and works very well for people who get anxious easily. Instead of breathing with your upper chest, take a deep and measured breath that will swell your abdomen instead. Doing this for five minutes can give you the restart you need to enjoy the rest of your evening.
Watch Your Favorite Show
When people are stressed, they sometimes don’t want to do something that involves more thinking as this can cause stress headaches. The perfect alternative is to sit down on the sofa with a blanket and catch up on your favourite TV shows. For the next hour, you will be able to switch off, have a laugh or cry depending on what show you are watching and forget about your troubles.
Listen to Nature
A lot of people will stick their headphones in and listen to some music to relax, but there is something even better to listen to. White noise often helps people to centre themselves, but it doesn’t have to be static. It can be anything that brings you peace. Some people enjoy listening to the sound of an air conditioner or rain falling against a window, while others will enjoy the sound of nature. This one, in particular, is great as it helps to distract you and make you feel as if you are in another place. Whether it is chirping birds, the sound of waves softly crashing on a beach or crickets, you will find that you won’t be stuck in your mind with your thoughts.
Exercise
One of the best ways to relieve stress is to exercise. It has been scientifically proven that when you exercise, certain hormones are released that make you feel happier. These endorphins are chemicals in the brain that reduce stress and can even help with your ability to sleep at night.
Whether you choose only one from this list or a few, you will soon find that you can easily unwind after a stressful day at work.
