It doesn’t happen often but when it does it really puts a damper on your day, whether it’s difficult customers, the work load, conflicting priorities, or a series of unfortunate events. A long day at work can be challenging to recover from, so here are five ways to recover from a long day at work.
1. Lie down and do nothing
No seriously, just lie down and literally do nothing. It’s probably the best way to relax after a long day. Not only will it rest your mind, but also your body. Just lay on your bed or a big comfy couch (90’s kid’s reference), and close your eyes and do absolutely nothing. No reading, no texting, or scrolling mindlessly through social media since it’s not really giving your mind a rest. Think of it as meditation which you don’t have to commit to. Also, this doesn’t even have to be an hour long. And you can nap, it’s recommended to nap for 30 minutes so it doesn’t disrupt your natural sleep cycle.
2. Exercise
Get that blood pumping! One of the best ways to blow off some steam in a positive manner is to exercise. One of the many ways I unwind after a long day of work is blasting my favorite tunes and going on a long run. Now if you’re not a fan of running then you can always try yoga, Pilates or riding a bike. Any kind of exercise will be efficient. Because like Elle Woods said, “Endorphins make people happy and happy people just don’t kill their husbands.”
3. Take a bath or shower
When I was a kid I used to love playing in the bath tub with my rubber ducky. Sometimes all you need after a long day of work is a nice bath or a long power shower belting out your favorite songs like Emma Stone in Easy A.
4. Wear comfortable clothes
I don’t know about you guys but I can’t wear my work clothes when I’m at home. I have to change as soon as I get to my room. I feel so much more relaxed as soon as I change into some nice comfortable sweatpants. Aim for something that you feel relaxed and comfortable in rather than stiff and uncomfortable.
5. Do something you enjoy
This one can’t be stressed enough. Do something you genuinely want to do. After a full day of doing things you have to do that’s completely necessary for work, but when you go home you should do things that you really want to do that can definitely help you feel more relaxed. Some activities I enjoy after a long day is listening to music, watching a movie (my specialty), running etc. Work on something you enjoy that won’t be too draining and you’ll definitely notice a boost in your mood.