Adam Pepka
Creative Content Specialist
It’s no secret that the 9-5 grind can take a toll on your personal well-being after a while, especially if you work in an industry that’s particularly stressful, like fintech or digital marketing. Whether it’s the fast-approaching deadlines, competing priorities, or constant meetings that are dragging you down, it’s important to advocate for your own physical and mental health, no matter how wrapped in work you get.
In this post, we’ll take a look at seven ways to destress and unwind after work. Fit these simple tips into your daily routine or use-as-needed for those especially stressful workdays.
7 ways to destress and unwind after work. Source: shutterstock.com
1. Plan a vacation
If you’re not able to take a vacation on your most stressful days, you might as well start planning one! There’s something so sweet about having a few blissed-out stress-free days built into your schedule that really soothes the mind.
After a hard day’s work, get into vacation mode by planning out only the stress-free elements of your vacation — no need to start looking at airlines, travel dates, or finances just yet. Just think of your vacation planning session as a vision board for your trip, used for inspirational purposes only. Search for cool restaurants, save your favorite vacation rentals, and create your ideal itinerary with no holds barred.
Later on, during a not so stressful night, you can get into the nitty-gritty details and actually get your dream vacation on the books. But for now, just enjoy the carefree process.
2. Make spa night every night
Read any self-care column and you’re likely to see a DIY spa night on their list of recommendations, but why should spa night be reserved only for special occasions? Make it a point to unwind and destress each day after work so that you feel cooler, calm, and collected M-F.
Here are some must-haves for a nightly spa routine:
●????? CBD topical: Alleviate pain, stress, and aid with sleep issues.
●????? Essential oils: Can help boost immune system and soothe stress
●????? Custom skincare products: Creates an evening ritual that feels good and makes you look great!
●????? Yoga mat: Stretching helps relax tense muscles and helps clear your head.
●????? A good night’s sleep: If there’s one thing on this list you must do, it’s getting a good night’s rest. Your brain and body will thank you!
3. Squeeze in some exercise
Exercise seems to be the answer for just about any mental or physical ailment, and for good reason. When you work out, your body releases mood-boosting and stress-relieving chemicals that leave you feeling energized and level-headed for hours, even days after your workout.
While the pandemic has affected numerous aspects of our lives, including how we exercise, there are still plenty of safe options available, including:
●????? Partake in socially-distant outdoor activities (i.e.. running, walking, hiking, kayaking, and biking)
●????? Virtual gym memberships
●????? Follow Instagram and YouTube fitness influencers:
- Kayla Itsines
- Blogilates
- Kali Muscle
- Pamela Reif
●????? Invest in a set of weights and resistance bands for at-home strength training
Source: shutterstock.com
4. Get in touch with your emotions
Sometimes, there’s no better cure to your stress than letting it all out. When you bottle up emotions over time, they tend to bubble at the surface and cause bigger problems later on. Whether you confide in your partner, friend, family member, or an online therapist, there are plenty of support channels to help you manage your stress.
5. Hang out with friends
Want to unwind after a long day? Call up your best friends. Laughter can go a long way when it comes to curbing stress (comedies work well, too). If you’re unable to hang out with your friends because of COVID-19 restrictions, opt for a Zoom call or virtual game night instead.
6. Read a book
What better way to escape the stresses of every day than to dive into your favorite book? Pick from whimsical fiction tales, funny essay novels, or riveting tell-alls to help you forget the small stuff and chill out after a long day on the grind.
Tip: Use an e–reader to access thousands of titles on-the-go.
7. Cook a healthy meal
There’s nothing quite as cozy as turning on your favorite music and whipping up a gourmet meal after a long day at work. But if you’re like many of us who don’t have the extra time to spend shopping for ingredients, chopping, and doing tons of dishes, try out a healthy meal delivery kit instead, no stressing necessary.
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance can be pretty tricky but with these seven tips, you’ll start to see some progress in no time!
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