Even with many of us still working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we still inevitably have some particularly stressful days at work. And, there are plenty of other sources of stress other than work, so even those of us who have quite a low-pressure job aren’t immune from feeling stressed out every now and then.
Managing your stress and unwinding is very important for your mental health, so we’ve put together a list of some of the best ways to relax after a stressful day.
Have An Early Night
Sleep can be a great way to reset your brain and give your mind time to rest. This type of mental rest is very important to handling stress – and countless studies have found that not getting enough sleep to be associated with higher stress and anxiety levels.
Going bed a bit earlier than usual not only allows you to get an extra hour or two of shuteye, but you can also wake up slightly earlier than you normally would, so you’ll be in less of a rush in the morning.
Meditate
Meditation is the ultimate stress reliever. It can be difficult to get the hang of it at first, but once you get into it, there’s no turning back and you’re likely to find that meditation quickly becomes an integral part of your day.
Be open to experimenting with different types of meditation and alternate positions to find what works best for you.
Listen to Music
Going home and doing nothing other than simply listening to your favorite music can be a great way to unwind after a long, stressful day.
The music doesn’t necessarily have to be calming. As long as you enjoy it and it helps you take your mind off the everyday stresses of life, go for it!
Or, listen to a podcast! But be sure to choose one that will entertain and relax you – some of them, especially the ones that focus on news or politics, can be stressful!
Take a Bath
A warm bath is perfect for relaxing – and it’s a great way to get yourself ready for a peaceful night of rest. Adding some fragrant, natural-spelling bath bombs is a great way to spruce things up and drain all that stress from your mind and body.
Plan For the Day Ahead
While this isn’t exactly a form of relaxation, planning for the day or week ahead and getting yourself organized can really help you feel less on edge and anxious. So, spending 15 minutes or so after work to write a to-do list can be well worth the effort!
Try to keep your list relatively simple and concise. Ideally, you should use a notebook and pen to give your eyes a rest from your smartphone.
Daydream
Allocating 20 or minutes for the sole purpose of daydreaming can, quite surprisingly, be a good way to rest your mind and relieve stress. The reason why it’s so effective is because your brain has a chance to escape reality and stop worrying about all the things you need to do.
A Quick Summary
- It’s very important to manage your stress and give yourself time to relax and unwind.
- Doing so will help you feel less on edge and will reduce the risk of burnout.
- Some of the best ways to unwind after a stressful day include listening to music, meditating, daydreaming, taking a bath, and going to bed early.