How to Relax After Work: 13 Effective Ways to Unwind and Recharge
Beat the work stress and reclaim your evenings with these 13 effective ways to relax after work. After spending 15 years in the corporate world myself, I truly understand how overwhelming and draining a workday can be. These 13 ways to unwind after a stressful day are designed to help you unplug, unwind after work, and build a lasting work-life balance moving forward.
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Life in the corporate world can be incredibly stressful, some days more than others.
Tight deadlines, understaffed teams, and the constant pressure to perform and deliver can leave you stuck in a relentless ‘go-go-go’ mode even when your workday is finished.
But when stress becomes excessive or even chronic, it can seriously impact your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. High blood pressure, a racing heart, weakened immunity, headaches, anxiety, poor sleep, burnout, etc., yes, my friends, the effects of long-term stress are serious.
That is why today we are looking at 13 effective ways to help you relax after work. These are simple yet powerful relaxation techniques I have personally tried and used to help me unwind after a stressful day at work.
Relaxation can be difficult, especially when you are stuck in go-go-go mode all day long. That is exactly why it is important to have a few relaxation techniques available to you so that you can mix and match and over time build your go-to relaxation toolkit to help you feel more calm, balanced and recharged, even when life gets a little bit wild.
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Why relaxing after work is vital for your mental and physical health
Alongside sleep, movement, nutrition, and a positive mindset, relaxation is one of the five key pillars of a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
Taking time to unwind and relax after work isn’t just about feeling good in the moment; it actively supports your mental, emotional, and physical well-being long-term.
Relaxing and unwinding after work can bring a wide range of benefits, including:
- reduced stress levels
- improved sleep quality
- increased productivity
- better emotional balance
- can help to ease anxiety
- can help to prevent burnout
- helps to boost mood and self-confidence
- helps to build better relationships
- improved mental health
- …
The benefits truly speak for themselves. Just imagine, when you feel calm, recharged, and emotionally balanced, you can show up more fully in both your career and your personal life.
Honestly, taking time to relax after work is a total win-win. By prioritising moments to unwind after work, you are not only supporting your mental and physical health, but you are also building a healthier work-life balance that sets you up for long-term success.
When you make relaxation a non-negotiable part of your routine, you fuel your energy, boost your creativity, and increase your productivity. A thriving career and a balanced, healthy lifestyle can absolutely go hand in hand.
13 Effective ways to relax after work and unwind your mind and body
Below are 13 powerful stress relief techniques and simple ways to relax after work. Get ready to unplug, unwind, and reset after a long, demanding day.
1. Switch off your work phone to create mental space
Hands up if you still reply to work emails or messages after work hours…yep, I used to be guilty of that too!
One of the simplest (yet most powerful) ways to relax after work is to make it a habit to switch off your work phone the moment your work day ends.
By doing so, you create a clear boundary between work and your personal life, something that is essential for your mental clarity and emotional well-being.
And no, let me reassure you that switching off your work phone doesn’t mean you are uncommitted to your career. Quite the opposite is true, as it shows self-respect and that you know how to manage your time, energy and focus.
My tip to help you relax after work: If your work phone is also your private phone, consider having two separate phones. It might sound inconvenient at first, but it made things much easier for me and helped me to make a clear cut.
2. Unwinding after work with a walk in nature
Studies show that spending time in nature can help reduce stress and anxiety.
After a day at work, take a long walk in the park or a nearby forest, breathe in the fresh air, and enjoy nature’s beauty.
Your body will welcome the movement, the fresh oxygen and the natural sunlight after sitting at a desk and in conference rooms all day long.
Living in cities, we tend to forget that we are part of nature. Reconnect with your roots, allow nature to ground you and recharge your batteries.
My tip: Head out for a lunchtime walk by yourself or with a colleague every day. Block the time in your diary. Make it your time to grab a coffee, catch a few sun rays and connect further with your colleagues.
3. Yoga for stress relief and deep relaxation
Yes, as a certified Yoga Teacher, I am certainly a bit biased, but yoga is one of the most effective ways to help you relax after work.
The yoga poses are specifically designed to help you open your body and melt away tension and stress, which will feel AMAZING after hours of sitting at a desk and staring at a screen.
Yoga also encourages deep, mindful breathing. And conscious breathwork is one of the best relaxation techniques to activate your parasympathetic nervous system, helping you to ease anxiety, lower stress levels, and feel more grounded as you go through life.
As a bonus, a regular yoga practice fosters self-awareness and becomes a powerful act of self-care. The more you care for yourself, the stronger your relationship with yourself becomes, all helping you create a more balanced and healthy work-life dynamic.
Curious to learn more about the benefits of yoga? Check out my blog post 20 Benefits Of Yoga You Wish You Knew Sooner.
Flow with me anytime and anywhere 🖤.
I have been collaborating with YOGATX for quite a few years now, and there is a wealth of free online yoga classes available on YouTube YOGATX. Happy flowing, my friends!
4. Create a calm and relaxing atmosphere at home with aromatherapy
Using essential oils is a simple yet powerful way to relax after work and support your overall well-being, both mentally and physically.
There are many ways to incorporate essential oils into your evening wind-down routine: add a few drops to a diffuser to fill your space with calming scents, apply diluted oils directly to your skin (wrists, temples, or the soles of your feet) or simply mix a few drops of essential oils into a warm bath for the ultimate at-home spa experience.
Different essential oils offer different benefits:
- Lavender and chamomile are well-known for promoting relaxation, easing anxiety, and improving sleep quality.
- Peppermint, eucalyptus, and rosemary can help soothe tired muscles, especially helpful if your neck or shoulders are stiff from sitting at a desk all day.
- Citrus oils like orange, lemon, and bergamot can be uplifting and energising, perfect for those evenings when you need a gentle mood booster.
My tip: When working with essential oils, always check for allergies or sensitivities before applying essential oils to your skin, and be sure to use a carrier oil when needed.
5. Tune into a podcast you love
Listening to a podcast is an easy and enjoyable way to relax after work, especially when your mind is still racing from meetings, deadlines, and to-do lists.
Tuning into a good podcast is the perfect distraction and gently shifts your focus away from work stress. Whether you are commuting home, cooking dinner, or unwinding after work on the couch, it’s the perfect way to mentally unplug.
The best part? There is a podcast out there for everyone. Whether you are into wellness and mental health, personal growth, side hustles, gardening, knitting, etc., you are bound to find something that speaks to you.
Top platforms to explore: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and of course, YouTube.
6. Escape the workday and relax with a good book
Reading a book is one of the most calming ways to unwind after a stressful day, especially if your mind is still buzzing with emails, meetings, or lingering to-dos.
Cracking open a good book allows you to mentally step away from your day and immerse yourself in a completely different world. Whether it’s fiction, personal development, or even a lighthearted romance, reading is a powerful form of stress relief.
So go ahead, make yourself a cosy cup of tea, curl up with your book, and let your imagination take over.
In addition to this, incorporating reading into your evening routine can actually help improve your sleep. It signals to your body and mind that it’s time to slow down and unwind, the perfect pre-bed ritual.
Looking for some reading inspiration? Check out the New York Times Bestsellers.
7. Unwind after work with a warm, relaxing bath
A classic, I know, but the classics are classics for a reason.
There is something deeply cleansing and calming about water. Pour yourself a relaxing bath and let it become a symbolic ritual to wash away the stress of the day.
The warm water soothes tired muscles, while calming scents from bath salts, oils, or bubbles help quiet a busy mind. It is the perfect way to ease tension, especially after sitting at a desk or dealing with high-stress situations.
8. Relax after work by journaling your thoughts
After a long and demanding day, putting pen to paper can help you process your thoughts, reflect on your experiences, and shift your perspective.
Journaling is a simple yet effective way to unwind, especially when your mind feels cluttered or overwhelmed.
Journaling can also help you stay connected to your life goals. Whether you are brainstorming your next steps, organising a to-do list, or reflecting on what truly matters to you, writing things down often reveals insights you might have missed during the daily grind.
Not sure where to start? I LOVE journaling and have a wealth of resources on this blog to support your journaling journey. If you are new to journaling, I recommend starting here: How to Start Journaling in 5 Simple Steps. Alternatively, check out these 101 Game-Changing Self-Reflection Journal Prompts.
9. Use creativity to help you de-stress and refocus your mind
Creative expression is a powerful way to relax after work and shift your focus from stress to joy.
Engaging in a creative activity requires your full attention, which helps you disconnect from work-related thoughts and unwind mentally.
It can also lead you into a state of flow, where time disappears and you are completely immersed in something that lights you up from within.
Whether it’s painting, dancing, cooking, knitting, or playing music, creative outlets invite relaxation by connecting you to the present moment.
10. Use gratitude to unwind and shift your focus after work
Practicing gratitude is a simple yet powerful way to relax after work and shift your mindset.
Instead of focusing on what is missing or what went wrong during the day, gratitude helps you zoom in on what is good, working, and beautiful in your life.
This positive shift can be incredibly grounding after a stressful day. Even more, it allows you to ease into your evening routine with a calm and centred mind, helping you unwind, recharge, and prepare for the day ahead with renewed energy and clarity.
11. Spend time on your hobby to unwind after a stressful day
Spending time with a hobby can boost feelings of joy, pleasure, and happiness.
When you engage in something that genuinely brings you joy, it shifts your focus away from daily stress and helps you unwind after a long day. Hobbies are more than just pastimes; they are powerful stress relief activities that support your emotional well-being and help you recharge.
Whether it is playing the guitar, knitting, gardening, painting, dancing, or any creative outlet that feeds your soul, make time for it regularly. Always make time for joy, even on the busiest days.
12. Get social and enjoy quality time with friends
Enjoy some quality time with your friends to help you unwind and relax after work.
Whether it is trying out a new restaurant, hosting a game night, or cooking dinner together, spending time with loved ones helps you switch off your work brain and reconnect with what truly matters.
Laughter, good conversation, and genuine connection provide comfort and emotional support, reminding you that you don’t need to wear a mask or hide your true self. Being around people who know and accept you is one of the best ways to relieve stress and recharge after a busy day.
13. Boxing for stress relief and better sleep after work
Boxing demands your full focus and concentration, pulling you completely into the present moment. This intense mindfulness helps you switch off your work brain instantly and leave the day’s stress behind.
As a high-intensity workout, boxing also healthily exhausts your body, promoting deeper, more restful sleep and helping you relax fully in the evening.
Beyond stress relief, boxing builds physical strength and resilience, boosting both your mental well-being and self-confidence, making it a powerful tool to relax after work and feel your best.
5 Must-have self-care essentials to relax after work
Below is a list of my top 5 self-care essentials that consistently help me relax after work and recharge after a long, busy day.
All of these products are available on Amazon, so you are only one click away from unwinding after work!
Energising & relaxing shower steamers
Immerse yourself in deep relaxation and wash away all day's stress with these rejuvenating and refreshing shower steamers.
Aromatherapy made easy with this Essential Oil Diffuser
Breathe in and relax. This essential oil diffuser brings a magical Spa feeling into your home helping you to relax and unwind after a long and stressful day.
Improve your sleep quality with this relaxing lavender pillow mist
Muse Apothecary pillow ritual is a luxurious aromatherapy ritual that immerses you into total relaxation, the relaxing mist refreshes your pillows and sheets with an aromatherapeutic blend of natural fragrances and essential oils, creating a soothing nighttime ritual for your senses.
De-Stress with this magical colouring book for adults
Discover an enchanting underwater world hidden in the depths of the sea. This colouring book for adults is simply magical. Breathe in, relax and dive in.
Put your thoughts on paper and find clarity with a journal
This timeless classic leather journal comes in a compact 6"× 8" size, which makes it easy to carry around. The leather has a super soft touch and the journal holds 200 pages / 100 sheets of smooth kraft paper waiting for you to be filled.
Keep in mind that you are the most important asset that you have. Keep showing up for yourself 🖤 – you got this!
I would love to hear from you! Which one of the 13 ways to relax after work resonated most with you? Make sure to leave me a comment below, and of course, if there are any questions about these relaxation techniques, let me know, and I will get back to you!
Looking for more ways to protect your peace during the workday? Check out my blog post: 11 Best Self-Care at Work Tips – From Burnout To Balance.
And if you are not signed up to my newsletter yet, now is the time, my friends! Join the community to get inspiring wellness tips, seasonal self-care ideas, and fresh blog updates straight to your inbox. I am a certified Personal Trainer and Yoga Teacher who recently swapped boardrooms for the world of fitness and wellness, and I love sharing everything I am learning along the way. See you on the inside!
Stay wild,
Nicolle
Featured image: Photo by A. L. on Unsplash
Hi, I’m Nicolle, a certified Personal Trainer, Yoga Teacher, and Blogger. I’m the founder of Let Your Shadow Shine and the voice behind this blog — your space for fitness, well-being, and self-discovery. On this blog, you will find empowering movement practices, holistic well-being tips and personal growth inspiration, all helping you to live with intention and create a life aligned with your inner truth.
Love this,packed with lots of tips will definitely use it.
YAYY…super happy to hear this!! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment, much appreciated and happy relaxing 😉
A glass of wine, girl dinner and a sheet mask are what I like to do to relax.
Nice, that definitely sounds like a fun evening!! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment, much appreciated 😉
This is just what I need. Checking out those facial masks. Thanks for the tips.
I agree that relaxing after work can be challenging but reconnecting with nature has definitely helped me in many ways. Yoga is also another wonderful way to relax after work. Lovely tips!