Sometimes stress can manifest into physical symptoms, like temporary hives, one-day headaches, or long-term weight gain. When you have too much to do — and too much to think about — your sleep can suffer. But sleep is the time when your brain and body recharge. Most adults need about 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Saying yes may seem like an easy way to keep the peace, prevent conflicts and get the job done right.
Read a good book
The Colts invested the fourth overall pick on Richardson in the 2023 NFL draft. They don’t need to give up on him yet, but using this moment as an opportunity to reset is in everyone’s best interest. The book on Richardson when he was a draft prospect is he would need a lot of development time because of his limited experience in college and concerns about his accuracy. Good ones can make all the difference and, well … so can bad ones, but in all the wrong ways. You can’t necessarily change the way other people act, but you can take steps to deal with troublesome colleagues and toxic workplaces.
Try 4-7-8 breathing
- If it’s unrelated to anything, maybe it’s a sign your mind and body need a break.
- Sometimes, we need an outlet for all the thoughts running through our heads.
- Keeping a journal can be a healthy way to express your emotions.
When we don’t unwind, stress can accumulate, leading to burnout, which is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion. This certainly does the trick for me—before I can get into a TV show or book after my workday, I need to lie down and decompress (i.e. not talk to anyone) for 20 minutes or so. I have a much easier time shifting gears when I’m able to shut myself off from the world for a bit.
Exercise, but make it daily
According to research, indulging our creativity not only bolsters our mental health, but our physical health, too. Reading is the perfect way to allow yourself to escape reality after work and dive into an entirely different world. Not only is it great for entertainment, reading can help improve your memory, increase your attention span, and reduce stress levels. It’s not a secret that exercising regularly will improve your health. It releases endorphins, reducing tension so you can unwind.
Spend time in nature
- Researchers say the brain is rewiring and trying to learn from the experience so you can handle it differently next time.
- In the coming week, try to really notice your thoughts and habits as you drive home if you’re not already aware of them.
- For example, you could say you want to revisit what’s expected of you outside of working hours because things feel overwhelming.
- So, next time you’re feeling crummy (ha, ha) after work, pull out your mixing bowl and whip up something delicious.
But spending time with or talking to your family and friends can help reduce your stress and get you out of your funk. To combat stress and burnout, employers are increasingly offering benefits like virtual mental health support, spontaneous days or even weeks off, meeting-free days, and flexible work scheduling. Despite these efforts and the increasing number of employees buying into the importance of wellness, the how to destress after work effort is lost if you don’t actually recover. So, if you feel like you’re burning out, what works when it comes to recovering from stress? Contrary to popular belief, cleaning isn’t always a dreaded chore.
- If you’re like most people, your life may be filled with too many demands and too little time.
- Deep breathing is an effective way to reduce anxiety, stress, and depression.
- Whether a vigorous workout or a gentle walk, find an exercise you enjoy to gain an effective tool for unwinding after work.
