Destressing After Work: Tips to Relax After a Busy Week

According to the American Institute of Stress, 94% of Americans reported experiencing stress in the workplace in 2019.

While stress is a natural response, it can lead to a number of physical and mental health issues if you don't learn how to manage it. If you have a stressful job, it's important to learn how to mentally clock out when you've physically clocked out.

Are you having a hard time destressing after work?

Let's take a look at a number of ways you can manage your stress and relax after a tough week at the office. When you allow yourself the time and space you need to de-stress, it allows your body and mind to recover and start your next week refreshed.

Practice Slow, Deep Breathing

Slowing down your breathing and deepening it can dramatically decrease attention even if it is only for a few minutes. If you have a hard time relaxing after work, consider instituting a practice of breathing exercises right when you first get home to help you set a stress-free tone.

Take Up Meditation

There are countless benefits of meditation, including helping you focus on the present, increasing self-awareness, and promoting creativity. On top of that, they can seriously help you reduce your stress so that you can mentally clock out from work and enjoy your time at home.

Go For a Walk or a Hike

One of the best stress relievers hands down is getting some exercise. However, you don't have to be a pro athlete to benefit from exercise. Even taking a ten-minute walk can boost endorphins and help you feel less stressed. If you're looking for activities after work to make a part of your daily routine, consider even a ten-minute walk or a short hike on your local nature trail.

Nourish Your Body with Healthy Food

What you eat and how you feel are intimately connected. Make sure that you are nourishing your body and your mind with healthy foods that provide both physical and mental benefits.

Prioritize Getting Enough, Quality Sleep

Getting enough, high-quality sleep is one of the most important things you can do for your overall health. When you have healthy sleep practices, you will likely feel much more capable of dealing with stressful situations. If you feel stressed out to the max after a crazy week of work, maybe your first order of business should be getting a restorative night of sleep.

Get Out of Town

Sometimes you just need a change of scenery. If work has you stressed out, consider making plans for weekends ahead of time where you can visit nearby cities or hiking trails. You might be amazed at how refreshed you feel when you return to the office after a weekend away.

Unplug

According to the American Psychological Association, people who constantly check their electronic devices for email, social media accounts, and texts are, on average, more stressed out. While being plugged in might be necessary for work, it doesn't have to be when you're off the clock.

Socialize

Sometimes all you need is some fun activities with friends to lower your stress level. If your work is consistently stressful, consider making a routine out of meeting up with friends. You might choose to go out to eat, go on a walk, go bowling, or anything else that helps you relax.

Let Your Emotions Flow

The work environment is often a place where we are expected to keep our emotions under control. Breaking out into song in a business meeting, screaming out of frustration, or deeply sighing out of disappointment are not things that are encouraged in a business environment.

However, when you're at home you aren't governed by those same rules. It's important to experience your emotions rather than suppressing them. If you feel stressed, find ways to laugh, sing, sigh, cry, scream, or do whatever it is that feels right.

Get Some Exercise

As mentioned previously, exercise is an awesome stress reliever. If you aren't into running or strength training, there are still plenty of ways to get exercise. Consider dancing, doing yard work, playing tennis, or taking up mountain biking to get your blood flowing and those endorphins pumping.

Declutter and Get Organized

If you feel like your house is a mess, it will only contribute to your sense of stress when you get home from a busy day. Consider spending some time getting rid of things you no longer need and organizing what you're keeping into systems. Having an organized system can greatly reduce stress on a day-to-day basis.

Get Creative

Engaging in creative activities is thought to be able to help both your physical and mental health. Whether you feel like painting, knitting, writing a song, and improvising a dance, getting in touch with your creative side can help reduce tension and stress.

(Looking for advice on how to get in touch with your creative side? Check out this article.)

Create a Peaceful Place in Your Home

Your home should ideally be a retreat from the rest of the world, where you can let go of the stresses of the day. Depending on your home environment, it might not be possible to have the whole home be a place of peace. That being said, create a room or a corner in your home that is your sanctuary, where you can go to let go and relax.

Learning to manage stress is an important aspect of your overall health. If you are having trouble destressing after work, try to slowly incorporate some of these tips into your after-work ritual. By learning how to deal with and recover from stress, you will be able to be more effective, present, and productive both at work and in your personal life.

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Our content is created for educational purposes only. This material is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for tax, legal, or investment advice. Vantis Life encourages individuals to seek advice from their own investment or tax advisor or legal counsel.