After a long day in the office, even the calmest of individuals can be ready to blow a gasket at any minute. As Forbes points out, stress can severely hinder our productivity. So after leaving the office after a particularly stressful day, it’s imperative that you focus on de-stressing so that you can be productive at work the following day.
Need some inspiration as to how exactly you can de-stress? Here are seven ideas:
1. Go for a walk
In addition to simply being important for your overall health, exercise has also proven to help relieve stress while simultaneously boosting workplace productivity.
To de-stress after work, go for a walk. Go for a run. Do yoga. Go for a swim. Play a pickup game of basketball. Any activity that boosts your heart rate and causes you to get a bit sweaty will help relieve some of your stress so you’re better prepared to tackle tomorrow.
2. Paint
Art has proven to help reduce stress. When you’re focusing on creating your masterpiece, your mind wanders from the issues that might have stressed you out during the workday.
After a particularly stressful day at the office, you might want to trade in your laptop for a set of paints and paintbrushes. Or you could grab your colored pencils and draw a picture. If you don’t have any of those on hand, maybe you can convince a group of friends to visit a nearby paint bar.
3. Turn your screens off
Are you the type of person who wakes up and checks email on your phone before heading to the office to stare at a screen all day? Too much technology stresses you out, according to a recent Huffington Post article.
To de-stress after a long day of work, turn your screens off and pick up a book or a magazine instead.
4. Cook a great meal
If you’re not much of a chef, you probably don’t want to attempt to cook duck à l’orange after a grueling day in the office.
But according to a New York Daily News article, cooking can help reduce stress since it allows you to tap into your creative side. If you have culinary skills, take out your apron when you get home and cook your favorite meal. It’ll relax you.
5. Go out for dinner
Sometimes it’s absolutely fantastic not to cook — if for no other reason than you don’t have to clean up after yourself.
Treat yourself to a nice meal at your favorite restaurant after an extremely difficult day at the office. Not only will you feel comforted after eating a delicious meal, but there won’t be any dishes to do either (which can also be a source of stress).
6. Watch comedies or funny videos
Who couldn’t use a good laugh? When your job stresses you out tremendously, spend some time at home watching a funny movie or browsing the Internet for the latest viral videos that’ll make you chuckle. Who knows? Maybe thinking back to those videos the next day will help alleviate stress as well.
7. Listen to music
Listening to music with slower tempos helps you take a load off after a tough day of work, according to research from the University of Nevada, Reno.
Remember, slower tempos are key. Listening to heavier music with faster beats can have the opposite effect, making you more alert and energized instead of relaxed.
Just remember that after a tough day’s work, you need to give yourself a chance to recharge to avoid burnout. How do you de-stress after a long day at the office?
Source: 7 Great Ways To De-stress After Work
Author: Justin Reynolds
