When we don’t unwind, stress can accumulate, leading to burnout, which is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion. If your mind is filled with stressful thoughts and feelings, it may be helpful to give in to the thoughts and express them through writing. Journaling allows you to delve deeper into the topics that plague your thoughts. One study found that people who engaged in rumination had higher levels of cortisol in their systems by the end of the day than they did at the beginning of the day. These findings pointed to the likelihood that the cortisol was linked to their way of handling the day’s stresses.
Engage in fun activities
When you feel anxiety creeping in, don’t try to ignore it or push it away. Engage in a quick learning activity, start a small, manageable project, or have a brief chat with a colleague about a non-work topic. By redirecting your focus, you’re not letting stress be the marshmallow that consumes your attention. Whether it’s a giggle or chuckle, getting some laughs in can lower your stress levels — you’ll feel more relaxed and in a better mood. In addition to having physical health benefits, exercise has been shown to provide natural stress relief. Consider noncompetitive aerobic exercise, strengthening with weights or movement activities like yoga or Tai Chi, and set reasonable goals for yourself.
Limit screen time
Okay, seriously, there are tons and tons of benefits to journaling. Skip the surface-level scribbles about your crushes and get to the juicy stuff. Setting aside time for self-care is necessary if you regularly feel overwhelmed by work. This means prioritizing sleep, setting aside time for fun, and ensuring you eat throughout the day.
That Employee Sleeping on the Job Might Need Help
Update your to-do list, clean up your desk, or reach out to a colleague about a project you’ve been putting off. These small actions can help you feel more in control and less at the mercy of external pressures. Remember, chronic stress not only affects your mental health, but it can also contribute to a host of health issues. Learn to set healthy boundaries and focus on your work-life balance. If you’re like most people, your life may be filled with too many demands and too little time.
This means creating enough balance in your life to include leisure time and hobbies. It means cultivating healthy relationships to help you feel fulfilled and take your mind off of stress. It means creating healthy habits to relieve stress, as well as setting goals that excite you and going for them. Or sometimes it can simply mean enjoying the present moment, whatever you happen to be doing at that moment. Because clutter has a subtle but very real effect on our stress levels, it pays to declutter as regularly as possible.
Cooking can be a creative and fulfilling way to unwind after work. Listen to calming tunes or nature sounds to create a tranquil atmosphere, which can help in preventing work-related stress and anxiety. List your top priorities for the next day to help avoid work-related stress by providing a sense of control and readiness. Whether it’s painting, reading, gardening, or playing an instrument, or even listening to how to destress after work your favorite tunes, hobbies can provide a satisfying and productive escape. Work is a significant part of most of our lives, providing us with the means to support ourselves and our families, and sometimes also with a sense of purpose.
- Recognizing and giving thanks for all the positive things in your life can help reset your perspective and improve your stress levels.
- Certain scents like lavender, pine, sweet orange and lemon can have a calming effect — so consider aromatherapy and how essential oils can help you chill out.
- Spend time with family or friends, sharing experiences and enjoying laughter together to enhance your mood and create a supportive environment to unwind after work.
- However, prolonged stress can be harmful, affecting our physical health, leading to issues like headaches, insomnia, and high blood pressure.
Journaling as a regular practice can be an effective way to unwind after a stressful day at work. So investing some time in mindfulness strategies is well worth it. Listening to music offers many benefits and can effectively relieve stress before, during, and after work.