Unwind And Unplug: 13 Effective Ways To Relax After Work
Beat the work stress with these 13 effective ways to relax after work helping you unplug and unwind and establish a healthy work-life balance long-term.
Table of Contents
Key takeouts
- The corporate world can be highly demanding and stressful. However, when stress becomes excessive or even chronic it can negatively impact your mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
- Chronic stress for example can lead to high blood pressure, an increased heart rate, a weakened immune system, headaches, depression, a lack of sleep, decreased performance, burnout, etc.
- Knowing how to relax is key to decompressing from work stress and having the right relaxation techniques and tips available to you will benefit you in many ways.
- Learn how to beat the work stress with these 13 effective ways to relax after work helping you unplug and unwind and establish a healthy work-life balance long-term.
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Life in the corporate world can be super stressful at times. On some days more than others, but when stress becomes excessive or even chronic it can impact your mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
Chronic stress can lead to high blood pressure, an increased heart rate, a weakened immune system, headaches, depression, a lack of sleep, decreased performance, burnout, etc.
Living in a society where there is constant pressure to deliver and perform, we are mostly in a go-go-go mode. Hence, for most of us relaxing doesn’t come easy at first.
But the good thing is that you can learn how to relax and decompress from work stress.
Today I am sharing 13 relaxation techniques with you; all to help you relax after work so that you over time can build a relaxation toolkit for yourself to support you whenever life gets a bit wild.
Benefits of relaxing
Next to sleep, movement, nutrition and keeping a positive mindset, balance is one of the 5 key pillars that build a healthy lifestyle.
Relaxing can bring a wide range of physical, mental and emotional benefits, such as:
- reduced stress levels
- better sleep
- increased productivity
- better emotional balance
- can help to ease anxiety
- can help to prevent burnout
- helps to boost mood and confidence
- helps to build better relationships
- improved mental health
- …
We are all different and these benefits are likely to be different for all of us. Hence it is important to find the relaxation technique that works best for you.
Once you find the relaxation technique that works best for you, you can incorporate this new healthy lifestyle habit into your daily routines, helping you establish a greater sense of balance in your life.
13 Effective ways to relax after work
Below are 13 stress relief techniques and ways to relax after work helping you to unplug and wind down after a long and stressful day at work.
1. Switch off your work phone
Hands up if you reply to work emails or work-related text messages post-working hours. Yes, I also was guilty of that one for many years.
Make it a habit to switch off your work phone when leaving work. This way you create a clear separation between your workday and personal time.
Understand that switching off your work phone does not mean you don’t care about your job or career. It shows self-respect and demonstrates that you know how to manage your resources.
Having this time to unwind and relax after work is vital for your well-being and allows you to be even more productive the next day.
Tip: If your work phone is also your private phone, consider having separate phones. It might seem inconvenient, but it really made things easier for me.
2. Spend time in nature
Studies show that spending time in nature can help reduce stress and anxiety.
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 nature. Reconnect with your roots, allow nature to ground you and recharge your batteries.
Tip: Head out for a lunchtime walk either by yourself or with a colleague. Already 15 minutes will improve your mood and productivity for the rest of the day.
3. Practice yoga
Yoga is a powerful way to help you relax your body and mind after a long day at the office.
The yoga poses (asanas) are designed to help you open up your body and release tension out of your body which will feel amazing after sitting at your desk staring at a screen all day long.
In addition, yoga encourages deep breathing and conscious breathing helps to soothe the nervous system which can help to reduce stress and ease anxiety levels at the same time.
The positive side effect: practising yoga is a self-care practice and helps you to create more self-awareness. By consciously looking after yourself, you establish a stronger and healthy relationship with yourself.
Join me for a beginner-friendly yoga flow in magical Costa Rica:
If you enjoyed this yoga flow, you can find more free and on-demand yoga flows with me here. I would love to see you on the mat.
4. Aromatherapy
There are different ways how you can work with essential oils e.g. diffusers, you can apply essential oils to your skin, put them into your bath, etc.
Certain scents have different effects on the body and mind. Lavender and chamomile for example can help you create a sense of relaxation and help reduce stress and anxiety.
Peppermint, eucalyptus, and rosemary can help to relax your muscles which is amazing if your neck feels a bit tight or stiff from looking at a screen all day long.
Citrus, orange, and bergamot can be uplifting and energizing should you need a little energy boost.
Watch out: be aware of your allergies when working with essential oils.
If aromatherapy speaks to you and you are interested in learning more about this topic, check out this article about aromatherapy.
5. Listen to a podcast
Podcasts are a great way to relax after work as they help to distract your mind and give your mind something else to think about other than work.
There are so many podcasts out there, no doubt you will find something to your liking. Wellness and well-being, starting a side hustle, personal development, gardening, knitting, murder mystery, etc.
Good resources are Google podcasts, Spotify, or Apple podcasts.
6. Read a book
Reading a book allows you to escape from your daily life and any work-related issues that might be on your mind as it invites you to dive into a completely different world.
Make yourself a cup of tea, dive into your book and allow your imagination to flow.
Bonus fact: Reading as part of your evening routine can promote better sleep quality as it signals the body that it is time to wind down and prepares your mind for sleep.
Tip: If you need some inspiration on books, check out the New York Times Bestsellers.
7. Take a relaxing bath
A classic, I know, but the classics are classics for a reason.
Water has something very cleansing, purifying and calming. Pour yourself a relaxing bath and symbolically wash away the day.
The warm water will help your muscles to relax and the fragrances of your bath ingredients will help quiet and calm your mind.
Enjoy some personal space where you can be alone with your thoughts and engage in activities of your liking such as having a cup of tea, reading a book, listening to music, etc.
8. Journal
Journaling creates an outlet for emotions and can help to get more clarity about things and certain situations.
Journaling can be a great way to organise your thoughts after a long day at work, it might give you a new perspective and open up new solutions you did not see before.
You can also use journaling as a tool to check in with your life goals, helping you create a plan and a to-do list, etc.
If you are unsure what to write about, journal prompts can be a great way to spark your thoughts.
Journal prompts examples:
- What’s one thing that went well today?
- What’s a challenge I faced today, and how did I handle it? What could I have done better?
- Describe a place where you feel completely relaxed.
- What/who made me smile today?
- …
By using journaling to process thoughts and emotions, you create a safe space for self-expression and reflection, helping to reduce stress and improve your mental health.
Recommended resources: How to Start Journaling – The Ultimate Guide for Beginners and 44 Daily Gratitude Journal Prompts – Unlock your Inner Joy.
9. Get creative
Being creative requires concentration which can shift your focus away from work stress and negative thoughts.
By being creative, you can achieve a state of ‘flow’ where your mind is fully engaged filling you up with joy and happiness from within. A joy that is cultivated by what you enjoy doing.
Try different creative outlets such as painting, writing, playing an instrument, dancing, knitting, cooking, etc. to find what resonates most and brings you the most relaxation and joy.
10. Practice gratitude
When you practice gratitude you shift your focus on the positive things in life rather than focusing on what you don’t have.
Get a piece of paper and write down three things you are grateful for. Be precise and to the point when writing down the things you are grateful for.
What/who are you grateful for? Why are you grateful? How did that person/situation make you feel? Etc.
Be aware of the words that you are using. Connect with grateful words such as ‘gifts’, ‘blessing’, ‘feeling of abundance’ etc.
Recommended resources: 5 Ways to Practice Gratitude Daily and How to Start a Gratitude Journal.
11. Spend time doing your hobby
Spending time with a hobby can boost feelings of joy, pleasure, and happiness.
When you focus on something that brings you joy, it shifts your attention away from stress helping you to relax your mind and recharge at the same time.
Whether this is playing the guitar, knitting, gardening, painting, dancing, etc. find what feeds your soul and do it regularly.
12. Spend time with loved ones
Enjoy some quality time with your friends. Check out a new restaurant, meet up for a game night, come together to cook dinner, etc.
Switch off your work brain, and enjoy some laughter and good conversation.
Being with a friend or loved one who knows you well provides a sense of comfort and understanding. No need to wear a mask, you can be yourself and speak your truth freely.
13. Boxing
Why boxing? Boxing requires all your focus and concentration, it requires you to be fully present which will help you to switch off your work brain instantly.
And as boxing is such a high-intensity workout, it will tire out your body helping you to sleep better and relax more deeply in the evening.
In addition to this, boxing helps to build physical strength within your body, which contributes to better physical and mental well-being and boosts your confidence.
My top 5 self-care items to help me relax after work
Below is a list of my go-to 5 self-care items that always help me relax after a long, busy day at work.
As always, with 🖤 from me to you my friend.
Energizing & Relaxing Shower Steamers
Immerse yourself in deep relaxation and wash away all day's stress with these rejuvenating and refreshing shower steamers.
Embrace Aromatherapy 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.
Get creative and let go of the worries of the day with this Magical Colouring Book
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.
Release all your thoughts and bring them onto paper with this 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.
If you are a regular on this blog you have heard these words before, but they are important, so a reminder won’t hurt:
Keep in mind that you are the most important asset that you have. Keep showing up for yourself 🖤 – you got this.
Which one of the 13 ways to relax after work resonated most with you? Which relaxation technique are you inspired to try?
Keep me posted my friend, I would love to hear from you. Feel free to leave me a comment below.
Before you leave, here are a few more resources I think you will enjoy:
- 11 Toxic Habits to Quit For a Happier and Healthier YOU
- Empower Your Voice: How To Set Healthy Boundaries in Relationships
- 11 Accelerating Self-Care at Work Tips – From Burnout To Balance
Stay wild,
Nicolle
Featured image: Photo by A. L. on Unsplash
Hi, I am Nicolle, a Senior Marketing professional, certified Yoga Teacher and Wellness Blogger. I am the founder of Let Your Shadow Shine Yoga and this blog. I am here to support you along your self-discovery journey, offering empowering tools like yoga, holistic well-being tips and transformative personal growth strategies.
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!