How To Relax After A Stressful Day At Work

8 ways to unwind & relax after a stressful work day
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We all have those days where we feel stressed and need to find a way to relax after work.

Whether it’s from having to deal with a demanding client or stress from having to complete an important project by a specific deadline, it happens and we all need a breather sometimes.

When I’m feeling stressed from a busy day at work, I look forward to enjoying a quiet night at home where I can just relax and unwind.

ways to restore yourself after a stressful day

It’s always important to take time out of our day to make sure we’re looking after our mind and body by practicing self-care, especially during these stressful times.

If you’re feeling stressed, here are my tips on how to relax after a stressful day at work.

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1. Make Your Favorite Hot Beverage

I love making a hot cup of tea and curling in bed or on the couch with a book when I’m in dire need of some winding down time.

My favorite tea to make when I want to relax is a Twinnings Chamomile, Honey & Vanilla Tea.

It’s delicious tasting with a hint of honey and vanilla and it’s also caffeine-free which is great for before bedtime so you don’t feel wired before sleeping.

You can also choose another beverage of choice such as other types of fruity or herbal teas if you’re not really into chamomile.

If I don’t feel like having tea, I also tend to like making hot chocolate topped with some whipped cream, a decaf coffee, or a cup of hot water mixed with a lemon slice and a spoonful of honey. All are equally as delicious!

The last thing you want to do if you’re caffeine sensitive is to drink a caffeinated drink a few hours before bed.

In fact, if you’re very sensitive, you might want to stay away from it once noon rolls around or it can really interrupt your sleep later on at night.

ways to relax and unwind after a stressful day

2. Binge Watch Your Favorite Shows

In addition to reading a book, a great way to relax and take your mind off of things is to binge watch your favorite TV shows on Netflix, catch up with your favorite Youtubers, or finally watch that movie you’ve been putting off for ages.

Sometimes we have so many responsibilities in everyday life that we don’t let our minds take a break.

Watching a show or movie definitely helps with getting your mind off of life by making you focus on what’s happening on the TV.

how to relax your mind when stressed

3. Write In A Journal

If you need an outlet to vent your problems and frustrations, writing in a private journal is a great therapeutic way to let out your thoughts and gain clarity on any issues or problems in your work and personal life.

yellow journal notebook

It’s also a plus that you can have some fun by going back to old entries after a lot of time has passed and re-reading some of the things that stressed you out in the past.

You’ll see that a lot of these things you wrote about in the past turned out to not be such big problems after all.

This can really help put things into perspective if you’re having a bad day.

If you’re looking for a more guided journal with inspirational prompts that will transform your mindset, boost your happiness and positivity, and help you work through mental road blocks, I highly recommend that you check out my 30-Day Self-Care Habits Journal and 101 Days Of Gratitude Journal.

Journals To Check Out
30 day self-care habits journal and workbook

30 Day Self-Care Habits Journal

101 days of gratitude journal for a happier life

101 Days Of Gratitude Journal

4. Order Takeout & Have A Cheat Meal

takeout cheat meal

When I’m really stressed, I love to treat myself to some comfort food that I wouldn’t normally eat on a regular basis.

For me, that’s a bag of all-dressed or BBQ chips and a tub of chocolate ice cream. It’s so fattening but absolutely delicious.

If you’re not really into sweets or other junk food, you can also order from your favorite takeout food joint to treat yourself. Or if you’re feeling really lazy, get it delivered right to your door without having to step food outside of your home.

Of course I’m not telling you to do this every night because it can definitely lead to obesity and an unhappy wallet. But treating yourself once in a while is healthy if you don’t go overboard.

how to relax after work

5. Pamper Yourself

If you’re not the type to turn to food when you’re feeling stressed, setting up your own spa date in the comfort of your own home and pampering yourself is a great alternative way to give yourself some love and relieve yourself from stress.

pamper yourself

I love applying a clay face mask to help detox my skin right after I take a nice hot shower when my skin feels congested or a hydrating mask if my skin looks a little dull.

You can also exfoliate your body with your favorite fruity smelling body scrub that’ll be sure to put you in a good mood.

Last but not least, you can also pamper yourself by painting your nails with your favorite polish and a fast drying top coat.

6. Take A Bubble Bath

bubble bath

Another great way to unwind is to take a nice, hot bubble bath in the comfort of your own bathroom with a handy bath caddy.

Drop your favorite bath bomb in the tub, pour a glass of wine, and get ready to relax after a hard day’s work while your skin hydrates itself with the bath bomb’s moisturizing properties.

how to unwind after a stressful work day

7. Meditate

Meditation and using techniques such as mindfulness are great ways to unwind and refocus your thoughts.

If nothing else is really helping me relax, I like to take some time out of my night to clear my mind.

When I’m alone in my own space, I close my eyes and put all my focus on my breathing.

A great app to help you start getting into the habit of meditating and/or de-stressing before bed, is Headspace. Try Headspace for free for 14 days and see if it helps you relieve some stress and anxiety.

8. Sleep Early

sleep bed

If all else fails, call it a night and hit the sack early so you can give your body and mind a change to recharge.

Remember to put your phone away and any other distractions that might hold you back from getting some rest in another room. You’ll most likely feel better after you get a good night’s sleep.

Conclusion

Taking the time out of your busy schedule to relax after a stressful day will help your body and mind to feel more clear and refreshed.

I hope that some of these relaxation tips were helpful.

More Wellness Tips

how to relax after a stressful day at work

What are some things you like to do to unwind after a stressful day? Feel free to share!

8 Comments

  1. Soph Cullen says:

    This post couldn’t have come at a more better time for me! xx

    1. Listening to meditation music helps me with sleep.

  2. Maria Moen says:

    This post had the perfect timing! Great tips and post. Will definitely give these a go 🙂

  3. Great tips! I can always use some advice on how to relax because it doesn’t come easy!

  4. Your blog is lovely & this post is very well written+helpful! How long have you been blogging? Keep going!

  5. Meditation music helps me with sleep

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