How to Relax After Work: Recharging After a Hard Day of Work
The world of work is becoming more and more demanding. In an “always-on” culture, it’s hard to unplug and find a good work-life balance. After all, you have projects to finish and a demanding boss who’s waiting for results. However, when you use your brain to its full capacity during the day, you need to find ways to slow down and regenerate your mind and body in the evening. This Zenmara article is a good read for you.
Neglecting your needs will lead to stress and anxiety in the short term and possibly to burnout in the long term. Keep this in mind and use the following ideas that’ll help you wind down after a day spent on the grind. And now, let’s learn how how to relax after work!
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Plan your relaxation sessions
Put the “you time” on your to-do list! Otherwise, you’ll forget about it and end up eating pizza on a sofa while watching Netflix – not the healthiest way to relax. You can highlight the activity of your choice in a day planner with a bright color, so you’ll have something to look forward to (and actually do) in the evening.
Take up a creative hobby. One of the best ways to get your mind off work is to engage in a creative hobby such as gardening. After a stressful day, you need to get grounded again and get your priorities straight. A meditative activity performed in a natural environment is perfect for doing just that. How about exploring some extraordinary indoor water parks?
Get a hot bath with essential oils
Did you know that different smells can have a significant impact on your mood? Essential oils are rather inexpensive, and they can be the biggest allies on your quest to unwind. If you’re looking for cozy relaxation bath time, you should use five drops of lavender, four drops of chamomile, and three drops of frankincense. Pick your favorite novel or listen to soothing music, and you’ll find peace of mind in no time.
How to relax after work: do bedtime yoga and meditation
Your yoga routine doesn’t have to revolve around insane poses like the Wounded Peacock or Destroyer of the Universe (yes, these are real names). You can do something gentler and simply stretch in your bed and breathe deeply when already in your jammies. You can practice Yin Yoga, which consists of gentle movements and holding poses for up to two minutes.
This will be especially beneficial to your spine, which may be slightly contracted after a whole day spent at the desk. Couple this with 15 minutes of breathing meditation, and you’re ready to hit the sack in a blissful state of mind.
Drink relaxing herbs
Drinking regular tea or coffee after 6:00 PM will make it harder for you to fall asleep. Conversely, sipping on a brew made of specific herbs is one of the top ways to put your mind in a relaxed mood.
Herbs known for their soothing effects are primarily passionflower, ashwagandha, kava kava, chamomile, lavender, red clover, and St. John’s Wort. And the best thing is that you don’t have to sift through meadows to get hold of these, as they’re easily available at your local supermarket.
Practice breathing exercises
Breathing deeply is one of the quickest ways to get yourself in a relaxed mood. A regular session lasts 5 – 10 minutes, during which you inhale deeply through your belly, hold the air in your lungs for 20-30 seconds and then exhale completely.
After a short session, you’ll see that you’ll shift from a stressful “to-do mentality” to relaxation and appreciation of the present moment. Make sure you are focusing and thinking about your breathing as you practice!
Make a list of everything you have to do on the next day
Carrying your to-do list in your short-term memory is sure to cause anxiety. When falling asleep, you’ll still think about all of the morrow’s to-dos, and this will prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep.
What you should do instead is to take a piece of paper and list all the tasks you need to complete on the next day. This kind of brain dump will give you peace of mind in the evening. Another thing you could try is journaling, as it’s associated with many benefits, including stress reduction and mood improvement. Check what is a bullet journal and why should you start one?
Go for a long walk in the park
Nowadays, we spend most of our lives in offices and cars, so it’s easy to forget that there’s a whole wide world to explore. Walking in nature will soothe your senses and calm your mind. When you finish your workday, make sure to step outside and breathe in fresh air for a few moments. Connecting with nature is a primal human instinct that you shouldn’t neglect.
How to recharge after work: finally relax during the evening?
With all the distractions and demands of modern life, it’s easy to forget about scheduling a regular “me time.” But as we mentioned earlier, creating an evening relaxation ritual is essential to your long-term well-being.
It’s not only about your health. Learning how to unwind from dusk onwards will give you more energy and focus on the next day as well. By putting some of the ideas listed above into action, you’ll be on your way to a balanced lifestyle, where self-care is a priority, not a luxury.
