Six hacks to help you relax after work
How much would you like to switch off after work? When was the last time you didn’t check your work phone at home or took some extra things home to finish up?
We’re all so busy, but it’s so important to give yourself some time to relax and unwind after a day of meetings and calls and emails.
If you could do with some inspired ideas to help you forget about the busy day you’ve had, here are some quick hacks to achieving a blissful evening.
Turn it off
We live in a connected world. Smartphones and free WiFi are wonderful until you realise you’ve spent an hour mindlessly scrolling through the Insta stories of total strangers with impossibly good hair. Switch everything off for an hour an spend some time doing the things you love.
Read a book, cook a meal. Just don’t turn on your personal phone for a while. And definitely keep your work mobile switched off until tomorrow.
Enjoy a soak
Whether you enjoy a bath or prefer a shower, set aside half an hour and treat yourself to some pampering. Pop a face mask on, apply an intensive conditioner to your hair, and allow the water to soothe away the day.
To really give yourself a boost, add some aromatherapy oils to the mix, like these from Neal’s Yard. Whether you need a soothing scent to send you off to sleep or a refreshing eucalyptus, each essential oil offers something different to lift your spirits and calm your mind.
Do some exercise
Are you a Pilates person or do you enjoy nothing more than a spin class? Whatever form of exercise makes you happy, do it! Even after a long day, you’ll find that doing a quick burst of exercise that you enjoy releases endorphins that allow you to feel happier and shrug off the tensions.
Play some music
Pop your favourite music on and allow the sound to help you unwind. You might want to leave the latest Little Mix for now though. Try something gentle to help you to feel calm. Think soothing sounds of the spa and breathe along with the best to help you settle down.
Sleep well
Sleep is restorative and helps our bodies to relax and recover from the day. If getting a good sleep is something you find challenging, start the process early on by making your bedroom a peaceful space.
Clear the room of any distractions and turn your devices off at least an hour before you get into bed so that your mind is free of anything you might see on your news app or on social media.
Practice mindfulness
If you haven’t already tried it, it’s worth practicing mindfulness to help you switch off and slow down. Mindfulness can help to reduce stress by regulating your emotions, improve concentration and even increase happiness.
And the great thing about mindfulness is that you don’t need any special equipment nor qualification to use it. You can simply start implementing it into your daily life by following simple steps like these.
Photo by Tim Goedhart
