Whether you spend your days at school or at work, life can be pretty darn tiring. We spend a larger percentage of our 24 hours of the day on our feet, commuting, getting stuck in traffic, sitting through meetings, doing homework, doing the housework or cooking dinner than we do resting, recuperating and sleeping. And after a while, this all gets on top of you and crash. However, if you know how to properly relax and unwind after a long day, you can make the whole experience that much better. Here are a few ways to let your body and your mind relax after a long day.
Have a relaxing bath
The best way to get rid of any work or school tension is to immediately rid yourself of anything associated with it. Even your hair and clothes. So as soon as you step foot back in your house, jump out of your work clothes, run a bath, light some candles, play some relaxing music and scrub off the tension and stresses from your mind, hair and your body. Scientists have confirmed through decades of research that the flow and feel of water not only has a calming effect on the mind, but it also has a calming and relaxing effect on the body – especially if you add in some aromatherapy oils into the mix. After you get out of the bath, throw on some clean and comfortable clothes to make you forget about your day.
Go to the gym
Okay, so this one isn’t for everybody. However, a large proportion of people find that a session at the gym after a long day is one of the most relaxing ways to unwind. This is because some people find themselves getting increasingly anxious, lonely or jittery when they are not doing anything, and always find the need to be moving and active, and going home and doing nothing doesn’t do anything to calm their stress. Instead, they want to unwind in their own way and let out their energy, their stresses, and their sweat to rid themselves of the day. Exercise is proven to release endorphins which also makes you feel incredibly happy and energetic – which many people need after a long and stressful day at work or school.
Make yourself something to eat
If you’ve been busy at work or school all day, you may not have had time to eat a proper meal – which we all know makes us pretty cranky! Not eating enough or the right food can often make the stresses we experience each day seem even worse. So when you get home from your busy day, make sure you make or order in a meal that will solve your hunger and your tired brain. Not only will a meal offer you your required calorie intake, but it will also improve your mood, you sleep and set you up nicely for the next day. And no, this doesn’t mean cereal or leftovers!
Read a book
If you love to read, you’ll know that there is nothing more exciting than escaping your own world and tumbling into another for a few hours. And if your day at work has left you reeling and wanting to escape, it is the perfect escape route. After you’ve had your relaxing bath, ditch the TV remote and grab your book instead. Enjoy what is happening in another world and forget about yours for a while. Trust us; it will help!
If you’re struggling to relax after a long day, there are so many ways to do it – and these are just the start. If these don’t work, try listening to music, chilling with friends, meditating, getting a massage or taking a walk!
