The Best Ways To Wind Down After Work
The importance of effectively unwinding after a long day at work can’t be overemphasised in our increasingly busy world. A properly managed evening can do wonders, not just for your immediate relaxation, but also for your performance on the following day. As you guys know, I have been working full-time for a while now. And it was quite an adjustment for me. Having two new businesses to handle can be a lot. But I realised that unwinding can really help to relax the mind and body. So here are the best ways to wind down that I have found.
1. Plan An Evening Workout
Exercise can be an incredible way to ease your mind from daily worries while improving overall health. An evening workout could consist of anything from walking 30 minutes or taking part in an intensive spin class. It will help release endorphins that will leave you feeling relaxed and happier. Remember, it’s not all about intensity; movement of the body and a mindset shift are what matter!
2. Engage In Mindful Meditation
Mindfulness meditation encourages you to become present with yourself and the environment around you. It is very beneficial in reducing anxiety, depression and stress levels. Just 15 minutes spent breathing deeply while paying attention to body sensations can provide profound relaxation. It’s the perfect transition between the hustle of workday life and evening peace!
3. Create A Reading Ritual
Losing yourself in a good book can be a wonderful way to forget the stress of the day. It diverts your mind from daily troubles and immerses you in different worlds, ideas, or perspectives. Whether you’re interested in fiction, non-fiction, or professional literature, developing a reading habit can be a relaxing and enriching way to end the day.
These days I have been reading books by fellow bloggers and even reviewed some of them like Re-create and Celebrate by Cindy Georgakas,
4. Take A Relaxing Bath
Nothing says relaxation quite like a hot bath. Immersing yourself in warm water can soothe your muscles, ease your mind, and prepare your body for a good night’s sleep. Add some essential oils or bath salts to enhance the calming effect. Remember, it’s not just about cleanliness; it’s about creating a self-care ritual that fosters peace and tranquillity.
5. Cook A Simple And Delicious Dinner
Cooking can be therapeutic. You guys know I love food and cooking. The process of preparing a meal, focusing on each ingredient, can offer a welcome break from the mental stress of work. You could try making crockpot bbq meatballs, a simple, delicious recipe that doesn’t require constant attention, allowing you to unwind while the slow cooker does its job. The aroma of cooking food can also create a comforting atmosphere, helping you relax.
6. Practice Journaling
Writing in a journal is an effective way to manage stress and anxiety. My therapist told me to start journaling and I’ve been doing it for a few months now. It’s been pretty great. It allows you to express your feelings, clarify your thoughts, and reflect on your day. Not only can it help you understand your emotions better, but it can also provide a sense of accomplishment and closure. Taking a few minutes to jot down the day’s highs and lows can provide a mental cleanse, promoting calm and peace.
7. Enjoy Leisure Activities
Engaging in a hobby or leisure activity is one of the best ways to wind down after a long day of work. Whether it’s painting, playing a musical instrument, gardening, or playing a board game, these activities can stimulate creativity and promote relaxation. Choose something that gives you joy and allows you to express yourself. Personally, I’ve been learning how to play guitar. Something I’ve wanted to do for years.
8. Maintain A Consistent Sleep Schedule
A regular sleep schedule is key to a relaxed evening and a productive morning. Prioritise quality sleep by creating a bedtime routine. This can include activities like reading, meditating, or listening to calm music. Also, try to avoid screens an hour before bedtime to promote better sleep quality. Regular sleep not only helps in winding down but also improves your mental and physical health.
9. Embrace Digital Detox
Disconnecting from digital devices in the evenings can greatly improve the quality of your relaxation time. The constant notifications and the temptation to check emails or social media can add to stress levels, making it harder for you to switch off from work mode. By allocating specific times in the evening for a digital detox, you create a mental boundary that signifies the transition from work to relaxation. You’ll likely find that you are more present in the moment, able to enjoy your chosen activities, and feel more rested as a result.
10. Explore Nature
If you’re lucky enough to live near a natural setting, consider spending part of your evening outdoors. A leisurely stroll in a nearby park, a peaceful hike, or even just some quiet time in your garden can do wonders for your well-being. Being in nature can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety and improve mood. Plus, the fresh air and change of scenery can help clear your mind and provide a refreshing perspective after a long day. If outdoor activities aren’t feasible, try bringing nature inside with houseplants or natural sounds to create a calming environment.
Conclusion
Just because Mental Health Month is over doesn’t mean we don’t have to do things for our mental health. We still need to indulge in relaxation and self-care every single day. These are the best ways to wind down after work for me and hopefully some of these will inspire you to do the same!
What are the best ways to wind down for you? Do you practice any of the things I mentioned above to wind down? Let me know in the comments below because I would love to hear from you. Or simply stop by and say hi!
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Hmmm, I guess I’d rather take the easy way out and just let someone pamper me in all the above or any other creative options.
Well, that works too. As long as you’re relaxed 😉
I do a lot of those for self care 😊 Reading is a MUST! I also can’t wait to move to a house with bathtubs. We have these modern looking showers and they’re pretty but I miss baths 😭😁 Great list ❤️✨
That’s so much! Yes, baths are so relaxing. Hope you’re able to enjoy some soon 😊
Hey there! Came across your post on the WordPress feed and couldn’t resist saying hello. I’m already hooked and eagerly looking forward to more captivating posts. Can’t seem to find the follow button, haha! Guess I’ll have to bookmark your blog instead. But rest assured, I’ll be eagerly watching for your updates!
Thanks – TheDogGod
Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed the post!
I never tried evening workout specifically, as my session in the morning is of 60+ minutes. However I walk after dinner and it’s relaxing.
About the books, I’m reading a lot. Like I read in the morning. I get up at 5 and start reading (with some house hold chores), during this I don’t touch phone at all. I also read before sleeping and thrown away my phone after 9 pm. I’m reading a lot it’s helping my emotional health.
Then in morning I go to gym, it’s 15 minutes from here. So there also I don’t carry phone. I feel this habit is making me relaxed. I don’t allow phone to rule me.
I tapped to the link but don’t understand what’s this “meat ball” ?
Oh I forgot to mention about sleep schedule
So if you sleep and wakeup at the same time daily, your body’s clock will get used to it. I have a peaceful sleep. More people should understand that using phone at night or sleeping at irregular times are destroying many things.
I agree, sleeping schedules are important and you should sleep at the same time and wake up at the same time regularly.
Yes…. It helpes me.
A lot of youngsters, “genz” binge late night, that effects their mental health
Lol, I’m one of those but I have stopped now 😅
That makes sense, people often prefer to workout in the morning. I do yoga in the morning since it’s best to do on an empty stomach and do other stuff at night.
That’s great. Reading is very good for mental health. And so is working out.
It’s something people eat like in spaghetti and stuff. I would recommend Googling it.
Actually the link you shared took me to a page and there meat ball made of frozen beef is used. I read your blog multiple times to see if it’s a guest blog. You confused me PG, haha
I use vegan beef lol 😅
Those are really good ideas. I usually do dance workouts on YouTube or bake something after work
That’s great, both of those sound fun and relaxing. Thank you.
I end a long work day by watching educational videos. Not the boring kind, the ones with interesting information that dispel myths or show new technology that I didn’t know existed.
That’s great. A good way to relax and learn something new.
Nice advice, will try journaling and see schedule.
Definitely give it a try, I’ve found it very beneficial.
Great tips, thank you for sharing.
These are much needed.
Thanks and happy to share them!
Loved this post – heress my feedback –
Thanks for reading , Love The Blog !!
Thanks – TheDogGod
Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed it!
I do a lot of stuff on this list except read and do basic self care.
Typically when I read, I can’t feel the characters and mostly just watch over them.
Oh I see, that would probably make reading less fun. I think self-care is something you should try out. It’s really fun and relaxing.
I can do stuff other listen to music, do something relaxing, but then I’ll struggle with basic hygiene and sleeping—especially sleep hygiene—and digitally self-harm myself (looking up toxicity and getting stressed out or doomscrolling). I also have a phone addiction. I may not use social media, but if I’m not around my phone, I get really anxious and unreasonable.😣
I have a tendency to doomscroll if I use my phone too close to bed time and end up not being able to sleep on time. And I like having my phone close by too 😕
I do most of the things you mentioned here and can’t emphasize enough how important it is to wind down for a fresh start the next day. I also enjoy journaling since it helps me clear my mind and sleep without unnecessary distractions.
I absolutely agree. If we continuously work without winding down we’ll always be at risk of burnout. This helps us stay healthy both mentally and physically. Journaling at the end of the day can be great. I feel the same way and feel that I sleep in a more relaxed state when I journal.
a wonderful share and much needed reminder ✨🙏🤍
Thanks so much 😊
always a pleasure ✨🤍
I do practice some of the mentioned above when I don’t even have a job😂 regardless, it’s a good reminder to relax sometimes.
Lol, self-care is great even when you aren’t working 😅
I love relaxing after dinner , reading and writing for my blog. It’s all digital, I’ll admit but relaxing for me. I sleep on the same time even on weekends so that’s one thing I do consistently.
Much of what I do is also digital but very relaxing. I blog at night too and I enjoy that. Sleeping at the right time every day is great.
Yes it is recommended for better sleeping experiences. Thanks Pooja
My pleasure.
💖💖💖
Congratulations on your two businesses adding up to full time!
I’m self employed too, as a journalist/speaker/author, and also a professional cat sitter. My time is so full, but it’s great because it’s on my own terms and I love making my schedule.
To wind down the day, I do most of those things (except when my husband and I have a night out — which is also a great way to unwind).
But my stay home routine goes something like this:
1. Turn off the computer at 5; do not schedule any business calls after 5 p.m.
2. A walk in nature with my husband.
3. Maybe a game with my husband, like Uno or Monopoly.
4. A workout and face yoga.
5. Relax to a metaphysical video on YouTube to learn and be inspired.
6. Meditate.
7. Quality alone time with my husband before we go to bed with no interruptions by phone.
All very relaxing!
Thanks so much! Those are all wonderful. It’s great yo don’t use your computer after 5pm. I can’t do that unfortunately but I do make sure to avoid technology before bed. Making time for those you love is also vital.
Also, if anyone loves dancing then zumba class can help to wind down. It really helps me; also it could be really healthy for body & mind.
That’s a great suggestion. I have heard of Zumba and know it can be very helpful for many.
These are excellent points, Pooja! I listen to music to wind down and also, we enjoy being outside on our balcony and taking in nature.
That’s great and spending time outside is a lovely way to relax. Thanks!
💖
Your blogs are just amazing pooja,or in which year you start blogging…(am not getting like or nobody is watching my post am so dissatisfied 😶kindly tell me some ways to grow my acc sister its humble request to you)
Thanks so much, I started in 2015. I have lots of blogging advice that can help with that. You can read it here: https://lifesfinewhine.ca/blogging-advice/
Tysm💗<3
Your blogging advice are really cool but how do you connect your site to adsense its too much hard for me 😂🙃
I’m glad it’s helpful. I’m not sure about Adsense either since I don’t use it, sorry 😥
Then how do you withdraw your payment?
WordAds which is connected through paid WordPress plans.
Do you have YouTube acc?
Yes, it’s: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQG4B0k-x7YYnNiKJ-_FTCQ
You’re very welcome 😊
Usually after a long hard day at work, most people like to Netflix and chill. Though I advocate yoga, meditation, walking as a great way of relaxing, I am sure many people cannot do that.
Recently, I figured a have changed my way of relaxing and thinking. While I am cooking, I come up with new ideas and how to compose my next post, especially if it is about mental health.
And during my recent holiday to my village, I loved to sit beside a tree in the evening and just look up to the birds flying. I found that very meditative.
Sorry typed too fast without checking – *sit under a tree. 😬
Yeah, sometimes you just want to watch something and relax. I try to walk and do some light yoga but also watch TV for a bit.
Sitting with nature sounds amazing. And cooking is therapeutic too.
Really informative post. Destressing is a very important part of the day that often gets overlooked and is a vital part in helping improve ones mental health. Taking a evening walk is my personal favourite and is something I’ve been doing from my early teen years and still enjoy doing up to this day.
Thanks so much. I absolutely agree. Distressing can really help decrease burnout and improve our overall health. I take walks every evening and love it. It’s such a great way to wind down.
Yes .. 5,8,9. I stop using the internet at least 4 hours before bed, cook a simple meal and go to bed at the same time.
That’s all great. Especially avoiding the internet before bed and sleeping at the same time each night.
Yes, good to find different ways to rest and reconnect with ourselves, not our egos. Thank you for your reflections and advice. You may also find some good hints by reading posts on ww.contemplation.blog 😊
Thanks and I’ll definitely check it out 😀
Thank you for putting this out. This is all good information and is something that we all need reminding of. I think many people try to make some of these part of their routines, but then it’s easy to get away from that and sit in front of the television, computer, or phone at the end of the day. Having this reminder is a good excuse to get back into a good routine.
Thank you. Yes, I think it’s sometimes easier to just sit in front of your tv/computer/phone. But not always the best option.
For me it’s to listen music at full volume or cooking noodles 🍜😄.
Haha that sounds fun 😊
I improvise on the piano or guitar for a few minutes just before bed. I have been told that I toss, turn, and snore much less when sleeping than when I don’t play music before bedtime.
Interesting, I play with my guitar too before bed and it can be relaxing.
I think #9 is really important, but I haven’t been able to do it. I mean I am quite addicted right now. Internet is more powerful than any addictive drugs. I have insomnia and haven’t been able to sleep well. It is very important to relax before the bedtime, but it is so hard to do it. LOL. It is like one knows all these healthy things to do but one just doesn’t practice it. I think it should be considered a mental condition. LOL.
I know, it was tough for me to break out of the habit of being on my phone or computer before bed. It’s something we’re so used to doing. Lol true, it’s so hard to have a healthy routine even when you know you should.
Thank you for this excellent post, Pooja. All great recommendations for reducing stress, and it’s good to know they are working for you. And that’s really interesting about you taking up the guitar! I tried a few lessons in my early 20s but didn’t get very far and gave up. I’ve often thought it would be good to try again.
I would recommend trying again! The guitar is so much harder than I thought it would be but it’s also very fun.
I may just do that!
Being retired from teaching (for five years now), I probably don’t need quite the same level of personal maintenance as I did when I was working. Thanks for sharing this encouragement to others who might benefit from a bit of personal TLC.
Yeah, I think it’s harder when you’re working and that’s when winding down is most necessary. Thanks so much.
A cold bath is what I do to start the process of winding down.
After this I can do any light activity to help me relax.
That’s great, I’ve heard many benefits of cold baths or showers.
These are great suggestions, Pooja. I have several options…writing, reading, walking, nature, and a definite digital detox. 🙂 Sometimes a glass of wine is nice, too. 🩷
Thank you so much. All of that sounds so lovely 🙂
I needed this! I’m awful at winding down at the end of the day. It’s a miracle I’m still a deep sleeper lol
It doesn’t always come easy since we’re so used to always being productive but winding down is just as vital!
I love reading this post. These are great ways to unwind after a day at work. I love to workout a bit, eat a nice dinner with hubby, read or watch my fave K-dramas, and have a relaxing bath before sleeping.
Thanks so much. That sounds amazing, I just started watching another Kdrama yesterday and it was fun.
Good suggestions, I like the term “digital detox”.
Thanks. As someone who works online, I found that I was spending too much time on my devices and after reading about digital detoxing I thought that would be a good way to wind down.
Fabulous blog post Pooja. What a pleasant piece of advice here about the best ways to unwind after a long day🔥🔥🔥
Also, I agree all these ways are effective and they ensure you are off the hook from the daily busyness of this world. It must be hard to jungle two businesses but all the best there. Moreover, of all these tips here, my preferred ones are to read a book, journalling and dinner. These are very effective in unwinding and just enjoying your day and of course sleep is crucial to allow the body to regain strength 👍
Thank you so much 😊 Those are all great, reading and writing in a journal can be very calming and a good way to wind down. And yes sleep is vital for us.
I personally prefer sleeping, lol! I just feel like my kind of a good nap (that’s 2 hrs. long) is a great way to relax 😅
Though cooking, journaling, and spending some time under open sky in nature are my favorites.
Lol naps are always fun! 😅
That’s some nice stuff 👍🏻
Thanks so much 😊
I love the tips. I am going y o
Sorry, hit the send button by mistake. I want to try some of your tips. Especially the digital detox. I am addicted to my phone.
Thanks and yeah a digital detox really helps especially if you spend lots of time on your phone.
Great article Pooja! The one thing I struggle most with is being able to get away from my phone and my laptop. I think mainly because work is so hectic nowadays that I really struggle to finish work during work hours so most of this ends up being done outside of work. Sometimes it makes me think whether I should’ve settled with an entry level role, because sometimes moving up the chain isn’t all that it seems!!!
Thanks! Yes, it’s hard to get away from devices these days. I work online so I definitely get the struggle.