After a long day of work, there’s nothing better than taking some to unwind from the day’s events and doing something you enjoy, whether that is visiting a wine bar in DC or going to the best chiropractor in Denver. What we do changes for all of us, but the key thing is that we all need something to take our minds off of work.
Turn Off Your Phone
When you leave work, you should LEAVE work. No emails, no calls, no messages. Part of winding down after work means separating relaxation and work-related spaces. If you answer calls or messages after work, you invite work elements into your home life, which can make it hard to separate time dedicated to leisure and time dedicated to working.
While you do not have to turn off your phone, you should mute messages from work. Many communication apps, including email, offer options to set times that you will not be notified. Using these features is a simple way to get your mind off work and devote your time to leisure so you can rest and recharge.
Do Something Creative
Doing something creative can help people relax and add some meaning to their downtime. Whether that activity is painting, modeling, or even just taking some time to write something creative, we all have creative tasks that we love. Indulging in these activities is a great way to unwind and has been scientifically proven to reduce stress.
Go to a Bar
Alcohol can be a good way to bond with friends and relax. A glass of red wine has even been shown to have healthy properties by staving off depression and boosting mood. While it doesn’t have to be wine, a little bit of alcohol can help loosen tension and make it easier to relax.
However, while a little bit of alcohol can be relaxing, forming an alcohol dependence is not healthy. Drinking in moderation is fine, drinking in excess is not. Be mindful of your alcohol consumption and try to see whether drinking is just a nice way to reduce tension or has become something more serious.
Exercise
Exercise can release stress-relieving endorphins and is a proven way to help reduce stress. What’s more, is that exercise is healthy for you and can be a good way to form a healthy habit. While not everyone can go to a gym every day after work, a good jog or run can be just as beneficial and is much cheaper and easier to fit into your schedule.
Read a Book
For those that value quiet activities more, reading a good book can be just as relaxing as a glass of wine (though they don’t have to be mutually exclusive) or a long jog. Settling yourself next to a fire or under a weighted blanket makes for a relaxing environment that is difficult to tear away from. Plus, it can all be done in the safety and comfort of your home, perfect for those with a low social battery or those who want some alone time.
Cook Dinner for Yourself
While cooking is often seen as a chore, making a nice meal for yourself can be rewarding and calming in its own right. While cooking is often for others as well, it is important to make relaxing meals more about yourself, lest it also feels like work.
That doesn’t mean that you should make a meal only for yourself, you can still feed others. It is more than the meal is meant to calm and be soothing to you. Making a big pot of macaroni because you love macaroni or baking a cake meant to be a dessert for you can be a good moment of self-care while still providing communal food for your family.
Get A Massage
Massage therapy is a proven technique to relieve stress and increase serotonin levels. Chiropractic alignments serve a similar purpose to massages and can be both relaxing and therapeutic for those suffering from spinal pain. Both target the musculoskeletal system to physically release tension and help your muscles unwind from a long day.
Listen To Music
Not everything has to be very active. Making a playlist of your favorite music or simply putting on some lofi beats to study/relax to can be just as therapeutic as the most serene spa treatment. Plus, it can be done in tandem with other activities to unwind more efficiently.
Watch Something You Enjoy
TV, the longtime king of leisure time is still just as relaxing today as it was when it was created. It just has evolved now. Whether you enjoy bingeing a show on Netflix or watching a small creator on Youtube, watching something you enjoy is a great way of pulling back from work and investing yourself fully into something more enjoyable.
Sleep
Such a simple thing is also so effective. Catching up on a night’s sleep can not only be immensely satisfying but can get you feeling energized for the next day. Even just settling down earlier for the night after a long day at work can be among the best things you can do for yourself.