It’s natural for work to leave you a little stressed at times. But if you’re leaving your day job and still feeling overwhelmed once you get home, you might want to consider stepping back and prioritizing a little R&R. There are tons of activities that have been proven to reduce stress and help relax your mind. Here is a list of our favorite ways to de-stress after a long day at work.
1. Walk it Out
Something as simple as taking a 10-minute walk outside can help reduce stress and reset your mind so you are able to live in the moment and relax. But any type of physical activity can help manage stress, so don’t limit it to a simple walk. Go to the gym, run, ride a bike, or play fetch with your dog. All of these will have a relaxing effect and allow you to de-stress and breathe easier.
2. Shut Down to Power Up
Turn your screens off. All of them. Take a half hour and turn off your phone, TV, tablet, computer or any other devices you have. Your brain needs a break from the constant intake of information and your eyes need rest from all the blue light, as well. Use this half hour to do some breathing exercises, meditate or simply take a nap. Your mind will be clearer and feel more relaxed than if you spent that time checking emails or mindlessly scrolling.
3. Write It All Down
Once you are home from work, take a few minutes and write about your day. Journaling can allow you to put the stresses of the day on paper—and leave them there. Choose Different with a pen that will give you a satisfying writing experience like the F-701 ALL Metal Ballpoint Retractable Pen. It has a fine point ink and is elegantly designed for any Instagram photo opportunities you have in store. If ink isn’t quite your style, try the DelGuard Mechanical Pencil. It features a comfort grip and unbreakable lead. What more could you want?
4. Get Lost in a Book
Diving into a book can be a great way to de-stress. Reading allows the mind to focus elsewhere, instead of on the issues that are stressing you out. After spending some time reading, you’ll feel more peaceful and be able to let the stress of the day melt away.
5. Head to the Kitchen
Cooking is a great stress reliever. Not only is it a physical outlet for stress, but as a result, you’ll be rewarded with delicious food. Take the time to create homemade meals or snacks (instead of throwing together a bowl of cereal). Eating something healthy can help you feel more relaxed instead of the feeling of falling into a food coma.
6. Pump Up the Jams
This tip is a no-brainer. In fact, you might even do it without realizing the benefits of it. While classical or slow tempo music is proven to be some of the most relaxing genres, any type of music that makes you happy can have a positive effect. We recommend crafting a playlist of your favorite music so it’s readily available for your commute or whenever you need a little pump-up session.
De-stressing is a very important part of having work-life balance. Using these tips, or any combination of them, can help you compartmentalize a stressful day from the rest of your life.