How to De-stress and Unwind after a Long Week At Work

Struggling with stress after work? Discover how to de-stress after work with easy, proven techniques to help you relax and recharge.

Do you want to unwind and de-stress after work? If so then there are several things that you can do to try and help yourself. If you want to find out more then take a look below.

10 Simple Ways to Unwind After Work Stress

After a long, stressful week, your body and mind crave relief. But learning how to de-stress after work isn’t always easy. Between work deadlines, family responsibilities, and a packed schedule, relaxation often feels out of reach.

The good news? Simple practices like journaling, yoga, aromatherapy, and even creative hobbies can help you unwind and refocus. Whether you’re battling burnout or just need to recharge, these calming techniques can help you feel more grounded and in control.

Exercise

The first thing that you need to do is try and exercise. Get moving, because working out releases endorphins, which helps to improve your mood. It also helps you to regulate your blood pressure, while reducing your stress.

Strength training is also great, as you can lift weights, or you can do body weight exercises. Push-ups and squats are great if you want to build muscle strength, not to mention that it helps you to release tension while supporting your mental health.

You can stretch it out by trying yoga, or you can even see if Pilates works for you. Not only is this a good way for you to reduce anxiety, but it can also help you to alleviate symptoms of depression.

Talk to Family

Another thing you can do, if you are struggling with stress, is to have a chat with your family about it. Socializing and spending time with your loved ones is a great way for you to get some emotional support, and it also helps to be a distraction if you want to decompress after work.

As a result of this, you may find that you end up having better-coping mechanisms and that you have an empathetic ear during challenging times. A robust support system can also help you to increase your happiness, as you will be able to spend time with those closest to you, which will trigger the release of happy hormones, including oxytocin and serotonin. 

Journal

If you haven’t tried it yet, journaling is something you should certainly look into. Journaling is a brilliant coping tool, and it also helps you to relieve stress and anxiety. When you document your thoughts and feelings in a journal, you will soon find that it is an effective way for you to unwind after a stressful day at work and that you can also do it at a time that suits you.

If you want to journal then the first thing you need to do is try and pick a format. Choose between writing on paper or even use a digital option if you feel like it suits you more. There is no right or wrong way here, you just need to choose something that works for you.

Create a routine too, and set time aside each day for it. This can make all the difference. You can journal everything in the morning, or you can do it before bed if you want. Either way, the benefits are well and truly endless, and when you give it a go for yourself, you will soon find that you can let it all out without worrying about structure too much.

Meditation

If you want to know how to de-stress at work but just don’t feel as though you have a good starting point then another thing you can do is look into meditation. If you want to know how to de-stress after work but you don’t want to have to make a great deal of effort then meditation might be what you need.

De-stressing after a long day is a proven practice and it is also a good way for you to increase your focus while supporting your mental well-being overall. If you can take the time to combine meditation with some deep breathing exercises then this will help you even more, so be sure to keep that in mind.

Some of the benefits of meditation include improving your focus and concentration, as well as reducing your anxiety levels. You may also find that it helps to promote emotional health as well as self-awareness.

Play Games

If you have not thought about it yet, then it is also a good idea for you to look into playing games. Playing games is a good way for you to take your mind away from the current moment and you would be surprised at what an impact it could have on you overall.

If you are stuck as to what games you can try then chess is a good game or you can even try your hand at other digital variants, such as roulette.

When you give games like this a go, you will soon find that they contain some element of strategy, and this can help you not only get the result you want but also make sure that you are taking your mind away from all of the stress you are under.

Coloring

You might also want to try your hand at coloring. Engaging in creative expression is a very good way for you to reduce your anxiety and it also encourages you to focus on the current moment. It also helps you to take your mind away from problem-solving tasks too.

Coloring can also help you to sleep better at night, while decreasing your heart rate, so be mindful of that.

Aromatherapy

Improve your mood and energy levels via aromatherapy. This is a good way for you to cope with work stress and it is also something that you can take with you on the go. Using soothing fragrances like lavender or chamomile is very good here, and it also helps you to create a more calming atmosphere.

Research has shown time and time again that it can help you to reduce stress levels and this is great for those who are under a lot of pressure from work. Some of the aromatherapy oils that can help to reduce stress quite a lot include sandalwood, orange, clary sage, and lemon.

Eat a Good Diet

Believe it or not, eating a good diet is a good way for you to help your body get the essential nutrients it needs to battle stress and maintain your overall well-being.

You can also try omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon and avocado. These are all very good if you want to improve your stress response, and you would be surprised at how much they could help you.

Sleep More

Sometimes sleep is just what you need to start feeling better. Creating and sticking to a consistent sleep schedule is so important. Having a no-phone policy and making sure that you don’t use electronics in bed is a very good thing to do.

You should also try to make sure that you get 7-9 hours of sleep a night on a consistent basis. If you don’t then you will find that you end up struggling and that you also feel more stressed in the day. Although it can be tempting to sleep in at the weekend, this is something you should try and avoid.

If you don’t then you may find that you end up with a disrupted routine and this can leave your body unaware of when you need to stay awake and when you need to sleep. If you find that you feel more tired than you should at the weekend then at least make sure that you take the time to add extra hours at night, by going to bed earlier until you find the sweet spot.

When you can wake up on your own accord without an alarm or someone else waking you, then you will have probably found the sweet spot, and from there, you can begin to change your routine so you feel less tired and stressed during the day.

Best Tips for De-Stressing After a Long Week