The Ultimate Guide to Unwind After a Long Day at Work

Whether you are a total workaholic or crave for day-offs, whether you go to an office or work from home, I’m sure you have days you just want to crash on your bed after getting through the most hectic day at work. On such days, it is important that you take the time to peacefully unwind and relax your mind, wash off the day’s remains and focus on being your productive best the next day. Unwinding after a long day has been proven to decrease the production of stress hormone in our bodies, boost mental health and enhance creativity. In case you are looking for ways to treat yourself when you get home, here is a step-by-step guide that might help.

1.      Don’t Rush –

You might be in a hurry to just get in your PJs and snuggle in a comfy corner, but rushing will just take away your ability to get some calm. Instead, just sit down quietly for about 5 minutes and try to focus on being in the moment. Don’t think about work, deadlines or any other tasks for the next day. Clear your head of any thoughts and just focus on yourself. You can even count your breaths to feel more connected to your body. While you’re at it, place one hand on your stomach and another on your chest and feel them rise and fall. When you feel that your mind is calm and body relaxed, slowly get up and move on.

2.      Take a Relaxing Bath –

There is nothing like a relaxing warm bath after a long day of work. It calms your mind and clears your head. You can light scented candles (find out what are the fragrances you enjoy the most) around your bathtub to let the aroma work its magic around you. You may even play some calming instrumental music to help your mind relax. Try not to use electronic devices or stare at screens around this time and spend the time to just connect with yourself and let go and negative feelings that you may hold.

3.    Get into Comfortable clothes –

Slip into something comfortable. You were in your not-so-comfy work clothes all day and slipping into your PJs would be all you were waiting for anyway.

4.      Find a Cozy Space –

Snuggle into a cozy corner. Your muscles are probably stiff from sitting at a desk the whole day. Relax your body find a comfortable place to sit or lie. If its fall/winter and you are lucky enough to have a fireplace at home, snuggle with a comfortable blanket by it. Alternatively, you can sir by the balcony or window and let the fresh air hit your face. Watch the sunset, look at the night sky, stare at the stars or do whatever gets you in a positive mood.

5.      Read a Book –

You probably saw this coming! But I cannot stress enough on the impact reading has on mental well-being. If you had a long and hard day of work, you are probably too tired of the reality anyways. Delving into a different world through a book may help in giving yourself a break from the monotonous world of reality. Find out what genres you enjoy. Whether it’s a fast-paced thriller or a heart-warming romance, a good story will feel like a hug. In case you are struggling to find time to read because of your hectic schedule, here are 5 ways to read more books.

6.      Drink a Beverage –

Calming drinks work wonders for a lot of people in relaxing and slowly unwinding at night. When accompanied with cut down caffeine intake, drinking a warm beverage before bedtime can help reduce stress and induce good quality sleep. Drinks like peppermint tea, valerian root tea or even a glass of warm milk can have soothing effects and improve the quality of your sleep. While peppermint tea can relieve stress with its rich aroma, valerian root tea has shown to boost the GABA levels of the brain, reducing anxiety. Find out what proves to be the most beneficial in helping you relax.

7.      Talk to someone –

Whether you live with a roommate or with your family, find someone you can have a heart-to-heart conversation with. If not, just call up a friend who you know you can talk to. Share your thoughts with them, ask them how their day was and just catch up on life. Talking to someone about your challenges and sharing your feelings can help relieve anxiety and more often than not help you obtain a fresh perspective.

8.      Get a Good Night’s Sleep –

Finally, don’t forget to get adequate rest. Sleep is an essential part of your health and over-all well-being and getting a good night’s sleep is vital to enhancing concentration and focus for the next day. Studies have shown that sleep deprived people are more likely to binge on calories and are at a greater risk of heart diseases than people who sleep 7-9 hours a day. So, remember to prioritize your sleep and be off all electronic devices for at least an hour before going to bed.

 

A tough day can take a toll on our confidence and lead to demotivation. But they are natural we all have them. The trick is to do your best and not let negativity get to you. Don’t be too hard on yourself and remember that you deserve to be rewarded for just getting through the day in challenging times. Hope this article helped and don’t forget to use these steps the next time you return home after a long stressful day at work!