No matter how much you love your job, that doesn’t mean it’s stress- and pressure-free. And even when you’re trying to be as productive as possible, sitting in unforeseen traffic or rushing to make it to your string of appointments can really fray your nerves. So when quitting time finally arrives, there are some simple things you can do to de-stress. Here, we share five of our favorite ways to de-stress after work.
- If you’re a small-business owner, it can be tough to leave work behind once you walk through the front door. But this is essential if you want to relax after work. Let’s say you have a few administrative details you need to attend when you get home. Set aside a specific block of time for that, and stick to it—so you have a hard stop to your work day. Otherwise, before you know it, it’ll be dinner or bed time and you never had a chance to unwind!
- Get some fresh air. Doing so can help clear your mind and refresh you. Most of us probably don’t get outside enough during the workday. So after work is done, a little time on the front porch, in the backyard, or at the local park, can do wonders.
- Ditto for exercise. Consider stopping in at the gym on your way home from work. (Sometimes, it can be tough to get motivated to leave the house again once you see that comfy armchair and it’s calling your name!) Better yet: A walk or bike ride will get you outside and inject a physical activity into your day.
- A dose of humor can definitely take your mind off of the day’s stressors. Tune into a comedic TV show or movie, or have a funny book on hand. Playing an audio book allows you to multitask—perhaps make dinner while you listen. Maybe your kids, spouse, or roommate are your best sources for a good laugh. In that case, hang out with them—and try to avoid talking about work!
- There are lots of stress-relief products out there. You just need to find the one that suits your needs and that you will actually use. Those small, squeezable stress balls are portable—and inexpensive—so you can keep one in the car as well as in your home. An acupuncture mat can help with stress, as well as neck, back, and foot pain.
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