10 Ways To Relax After A Long Day

If you are looking for ways to relax after a long day of work or classes, I’ve got you covered. There’s nothing worse than coming home after a long day & your thoughts are still racing. You need to turn off the thoughts. You need to decompress. You might not be sure what to do when you get home to feel better. Well, here are my top tips for shutting off your racing thoughts & feeling 10x better.

1. Get out of your work clothes or school clothes right away – I work in the city so I tend to want to get out of my work clothes after a 12 hour day of commuting for 2 hours & working for 9 hours (bring on the sweat pants). If you had a long day at work & you are in an uncomfortable outfit, the best way to automatically feel better is throwing on a pair of sweat pants or pajama pants. If you’re feeling extra fancy, throw on a silky robe or silky pajamas.
2. Make yourself a nutritious meal – I know some people might believe the best way to relax is to indulge in a pizza or a burger & fries. Trust me, you may feel good in the moment, but you will feel 10x better about yourself if you eat a bowl of whole wheat pasta with veggies or teriyaki vegetables with whole grain brown rice (some grilled chicken with teriyaki sauce is also a good choice but– don’t forget to have some veggies!). Some people believe our gut is our second brain so feed your body a nutrient packed meal for a happier, more relaxed brain.
3. Gratitude journal – I’ve mentioned this journal a couple of times on my blog, but having a gratitude journal can be life changing. If you shift your focus from the negative things that happened during your day to the positive, you will automatically feel more relaxed/happier.
4. Exercise – This is the best way to relax. Anything that was bothering me before I worked out no longer seems as bad after my work out. It’s also so good for your body & it helps you maintain a healthy physique.
5. Yoga – If you don’t want to do cardio or strength training at the gym, yoga is a great alternative. There are so many YouTube videos & the feeling of focusing on your breath & stretching can be really relaxing.
6. Talk to a loved one or friend – If I had a stressful day, one of my favorite things to do is to talk to one of my best friends or talk to my mom or sister about my day. It feels so good to get my thoughts off my chest & I always feel more relaxed after. If your loved one makes you laugh, that’s even better.
7. Watch a funny video, television show, or reality television – I know some people are not fans of reality television, but I love it. It is the perfect way to escape after a long day. I love watching the Real Housewives of OC or Big Brother. It is so fun for me to look at their outfits & laugh at their drama. If reality television isn’t for you, then a funny video or television show is a great way to also escape from the world. Laughing has also been proven to be a great de-stressor.
8. Plan for the next day – It might seem counterintuitive to start thinking about your next day at work or classes after you had a long day, but if you plan your outfit the night before or pack your lunch, then you will feel better knowing that is one less thing you have to worry about in the morning.
9. Pour yourself a cup of tea – Although wine is sometimes a great choice for those over 21 to decompress after a long day, I find the best beverage to drink is tea. It honestly is like a hug in a mug. It also won’t interfere with your sleep like alcohol does so you will feel better the next day. Make sure you pick the decaffeinated teas though 🙂
10. Go to bed early – There is nothing more stressful than thinking oh no! I only have 5 hours of sleep before I have to get up for work while tossing & turning in bed. Beds are also really comfortable & another great way to de-stress is cuddling with a pet or a significant other.

Let me know in the comments below if you try any of these relaxation techniques. Hope you all have a great week.