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Knowing how to unwind after work makes disconnecting from work stress and engaging in your personal development that much simpler.
With the right tools, relaxing after work doesn’t have to be so daunting. And you’ll know how to unwind after work without alcohol too!
Below, you’ll find various tips to de-stress after work, including prioritizing your mental health, letting go of the pressures of the day, and living in harmony.
This post is all about teaching you how to unwind after work.
How to Unwind After Work
Why is it important to unwind after work?
Unwinding after work has benefits for both your personal and professional life. And it all starts with understanding what you have to disconnect from in the first place.
If you’re constantly asking yourself why is my brain tired after work, there are several reasons why:
- Overwhelming (and unrealistic) workload
- Toxic workplace environment
- Little control over your decision-making at work
- Working from home in the same room you live (or sleep) in every day
- Intentionally taking work home for late-night sessions
- Inability to manage time effectively: feeling there is never enough time in the day
- Pressure to reach unrealistic commission payout goals
- Lacking true deeper work and lighter task balance
Given that these stressors are relatable to all of us, establishing a consistent post-work de-stress routine is crucial to our well-being.
- Enables better decision-making at home: especially when interacting with your partner and children
- Promotes a well-rested body to tackle the next workday with a clear mindset
- Reduces the risk of health complications from stress
- Protects your mental health and energy from becoming overly consumed with work tasks
- Makes you feel like you have a life outside of work: friends, hobbies, relationships, etc.
So, now that we know why relaxing after work matters so much, let’s jump into the best tips to recharge after work and regain work-life balance.
What are symptoms of work related stress?
Still asking yourself how long does it take to decompress after work? And wondering what the exact symptoms of work-related stress look like?
When you are pushing yourself too hard, and not taking time to unwind, you will likely experience:
- Frequent headaches or migraines
- Exhaustion
- Irritability
- Lack of social connections (or motivation to establish them)
- Fear of waking up the next morning and returning to the office
- Trouble falling and staying asleep
So, one thing is clear: none of us want to feel this way! And by coping with stress at work by leveraging these healthy, empowering practices, you can curb the impact of your work stressors.
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How do I relax from stress at work?
While there are many tools listed below, make sure you choose whichever ones work best for you and your schedule!
Here are 21 different tips to de-stress after work:
1. Schedule downtime/ me time
One of the best tips to unwind after work is to proactively schedule time into your planner to do so! We are all busy ladies with several competing priorities on our hands.
You can use this me time to try online therapy as well, where you’ll develop even more coping strategies for managing stress.
So, consider investing in a daily planner to make this process even simpler–and as you’re time-blocking your week, set at least an hour aside each day for yourself.
2. Disconnect from social media
Next, scrolling on your phone all evening is not how to unwind after working from home! And likely doesn’t fall in line with your wellness goals, either.
Be intentional about disconnecting from your social media feeds: set a timer on your scrolling if you have to.
You’ll find that as you slowly stop engaging with TikTok and Instagram influencers, you’ll be way less judgy and critical of your own life.
Finally, since you’re likely looking at screens at work, staying off your phone before bed especially will give your eyes and mind a break, and help you sleep better.
3. Take a hot shower
Whenever people ask me how to relax after a hard day, taking a hot shower always comes to mind.
There is nothing quite like cleansing your body, moisturizing, and changing into comfortable clothes to set the tone for the night.
Also, consider adding Epsom salt to your bath for enhanced relaxation.
4. Go to the gym
For how to relax after work without TV, it is quite simple: do your workouts after work!
With all the pent-up frustration and energy from your day of work, why not let it all out with a great pilates class or weightlifting session?
Your body will be so thankful you exerted yourself–and you’ll get an instant boost of feel-good hormones afterward.
5. Make dinner plans
One of my favorite ways to unwind after a long day at work is by making dinner plans with a close friend or family member.
This doesn’t need to be anything fancy: engaging in meaningful conversation and enjoying each other’s company is what truly counts.
By getting out of the house and interacting with another person, you’re slowly distancing your brain from the endless stream of work thoughts, and entering into the present!
Lastly, the quality time you share increases your happiness and ultimately triggers the release of hormones like oxytocin and serotonin.
6. Listen to your favorite podcast
Taking time to hear a podcast episode is another great strategy for relaxing and turning attention away from your job tasks.
Platforms like Spotify and Apple Music have a large offering of podcasts, from wellness to sports, comedy, true crime, and more!
7. Read a book
Another way to unwind after a big workday is to cozy up in bed with your favorite cup of tea and read a book!
Whether fiction or nonfiction, purposefully diving into content that is not work-related will take your mind away from whatever else happened earlier in the day.
P.S. If you’re looking for a new read, be sure to check out my book, Self-Assembly, and our curated book list of top recommendations for young women focused on wellness habits!
8. Spend time in nature
Additionally, another one of the best tips for how to de-stress after work is simple (and free): spend time in nature!
Get outside for a walk, hang out with friends at the park, or take your book to the beach.
Whatever works best for you, make it a priority to breathe in some fresh air, feel the sunlight on your face, and remember that the world is so much bigger than whatever is going on at work right now.
9. Meditate
Also, if you’re asking yourself how can I recharge my brain after work, this spiritual wellness activity is the remedy you need!
Slowing down your mind with a guided meditation video promotes mindfulness and helps you ground your thoughts in the present moment.
Some additional benefits of meditation include:
- Garnering a new perspective on work-life stress
- Building a toolbelt to better manage stress
- Boosted self-awareness
- Bolstering your creativity and imagination
- Generally reducing negative emotions
Lastly, just in case all those amazing effects weren’t enough to convince you, maybe knowing that it is my most used strategy on this list will.
10. Journal
We are big journaling girls over here on Self Assembly Guide… and there are many reasons why!
When you’re trying to process your thoughts and slow down your brain activity after a stressful day, setting a timer for ten minutes and dumping your thoughts on paper is SO relieving.
And lucky for you, we have an entire set of over 110 (!) self growth journal prompts to inspire you to get to the root of what’s bothering you in your life right now.
11. Get a good night’s sleep
Looking for a more straightforward how-to relax after a stressful day at work tip? Get to sleep early!
Ensuring you have a good night’s sleep (at least seven hours) means you’ll be way more alert and alive in the morning–ready to tackle the tasks presented to you.
You can even set a bedtime for yourself so you know you’ll be resting and staying on track with your sleep goals.
Here some of my favorite sleep essentials to help with this:
12. Turn off your email and work devices
In addition, this one may sound obvious, but to disconnect from work stress, turn off your email and work devices at the end of the day!
You may even want to delete your apps (Outlook, Teams, etc) off your phone so you’re not tempted to check.
I did this for myself at my first job and it helped me tremendously. Setting boundaries and eliminating distracting emails will make it less likely to work off hours.
Bottom line: don’t peek when you’re offline.
13. Bake
Another great after-work activity that’s super calming and fun is baking! Pinterest has so many great recipes to choose from–brownies, cookies, cakes, and more.
Also, if you’re up for it, you can make it a social event and invite friends over to bake with you for a more memorable experience.
14. Watch your favorite show
Another one of the best how to relax after work strategies is simply flipping on your television and watching your favorite show.
Sometimes, getting absorbed in a fantasy world gets your mind focusing and thinking about things unrelated to your actual work (and life!).
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15. Nourish your body with a yummy meal
Nothing will have you feeling more energized and present than a delicious meal. Especially when you’re putting in long hours, it’s essential to stay hydrated and fueled.
So be proactive about selecting a recipe and cooking for yourself after your workday ends. The act of cooking alone shows how much you care about your body and feeling good!
16. Take up a hobby
Also, one of my favorite ways to unwind after work is engaging in a hobby or passion project.
Investing in yourself as a young woman will pay off big time later in life (and in your career!). Here are some ideas to get started:
- Start a YouTube channel
- Paint
- Practice yoga
- Garden
- Make jewelry
- Write a short story
17. Volunteer
Especially as you are building your identity in your early 20s, volunteering is a great way to connect with like-minded individuals and escape the stressors of work.
As you’re putting your attention into caring for those in need, all your present-day struggles seem to slowly slip away.
18. Use calming incense
To cultivate a high-vibe, relaxing after-work aesthetic, consider using aromatherapy or calming incense to lighten your space.
Enveloping yourself with calming aromas can boost your mood. A soft and relaxing scent like vanilla can make all the difference!
You can also diffuse essential oils like jasmine, lemon, sandalwood, or cedarwood.
19. Stretch
Additionally, one of the best ways to relax after working from home is to stretch your body.
After moving (or sitting) around all day, your muscles can use a deep stretch for your body to feel strong and restored.
20. Research a future trip
Especially if you’re wondering how to unwind after work without alcohol, obsessing over your next vacation plans after work is a great route to go!
Cozy up on your couch with a pen, paper, and laptop, and plan each leg of your adventure.
As you envision yourself in this magical destination, I promise all your work worries will fade into the distance… your excitement will overtake you!
21. Play with your pet
Last but certainly not least, play with your furry friend after you get home from work. Take them for a walk, or throw some toys around for them.
Let’s not neglect all the affection and care our pets show us when we need them most–and keep giving it back to them, too.
How to Unwind After Work: Wrapping it Up
Did I miss one of your top ways to de-stress after work? Let us know in the comments!
And remember to explore our FREE resources page for more ideas to take care of your mental health and stay healthy.
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