We are now well into January, the year is in motion, and I’m sure most, if not all of us are back to some form of work routine. Whether that means school or college or a job of some nature, I’m sure we are all back to that reality and working hard at it (if not, lucky you and I hope you enjoy the remains of the holiday). That being said, being back at work, especially after the oh-so-luxurious and leisurely Christmas holidays, can be quite a bummer. Days are long, there is undoubtedly pressure in some shape or form, and I’m sure that even if you’ve only been back for a few days, the little stresses are already starting to appear.
Unfortunately, I am not a magician. I can’t magically make the stresses and exhaustion from a long hard day disappear with the wave of my wand or a snap of my fingers. And honestly, I don’t think there will ever be a way to do that unless you don’t get involved in things that stress you out (even then, if you avoid stress by not working, you won’t make money which will then be the source of a new type of stress so all in all, it is pretty much impossible to avoid stress entirely). However, despite my muggle ways and inability to dissolve stress, I do know of a few ways that can help you relax after a long, stressful day. No, they may not get rid of the stress entirely or prevent the stress from reoccurring, but they can help you feel peaceful and relaxed when you’re day has just taken too much out of you. That way, you can at least end your day on a good note instead of taking all your troubles and exhaustion to bed with you. So, without further ado, here are 10 ways to relax after a long, stressful day.
Have a warm drink
I love nothing more than indulging in a hot cup of tea at the end of a tiring day, sipping away on the steaming deliciousness with my feet on the couch. It literally melts all the negatives of my day away, at least for a few minutes. The best teas to drink in late afternoon and evening are ones that are caffeine-free because the last thing you want after an exhausting day is to get pumped full of caffeine and then are unable to sleep. Chamomile (with some vanilla and honey) is a great tea to drink if you want to feel soothed and relaxed, but, as I mentioned in my last blog post (click the link to read https://tallblondetales.com/2020/01/15/it-should-always-be-tea-time/), there are plenty of other teas you can enjoy that can relieve stress and make you feel relaxed. If tea isn’t your thing, you could treat yourself to a mug of hot chocolate, or even just some warm water with lemon and honey. The only drink I’d say to avoid if you are looking to relieve stress would be coffee. Otherwise, any hot beverage is an excellent start to flushing out the trials and tribulations of a long day.
Get cosy and comfortable
Whether you have to wear particular clothes to work or school or not, staying in them once you’re home and trying to relax is a bad idea. Why? Because you’ve spent your whole day in those clothes, so they are most likely a little sweaty or icky, or just aren’t ideal to be super comfortable. So how do you solve that problem? Get all those clothes off, put on something comfortable and get cosy. Nothing tells your body that it is time to relax, or at least slowdown, more than pulling on some sweats or pyjamas and finding a comfortable place to enjoy the rest of your evening. Changing and getting cosy and comfortable tells your brain and body that it is time to relax now and, as such, means you can start recovering from your day. Trust me – the first thing I do after a long day is pull on my sweats. That and put my feet into either slippers or fluffy socks because our feet take such a hammering during the day that they deserve to be comfortable and free too.
Stretch or do some light yoga
I never knew how tense my body got throughout the day until I started doing a short yoga/stretching session in the evenings before bed. My word did I notice the difference once I started stretching out every evening! Doing something like this after a tiresome day can help relieve so much tension, and also leave you feeling loose and relaxed for the rest of your evening. Not only that, but light yoga, or even meditation, is a great way to organise your thoughts and just give you that little bit of alone time you need to sift through and refocus your thoughts, and unwind. That way, you can at least go to sleep that night with a more clear, peaceful state of mind.
Spend time with your pet
Okay, who has a pet? Now I’m not sure, but if you answered yes to that question, I’m guessing your pet is a lot more to you than just an animal. They are a loving companion and, more often than not, can always put a smile on your face. Thus, a great way to relax at the end of a stressful day is to spend some quality time with your loving pet. If you have a dog, play with or walk your dog. It will unleash some stress and negative energy, as well as give you an outlet to feel free and peaceful. If you have a cat or another pet that isn’t quite as playful as a dog, why not just curl up with them, cuddle and chat about your day. My cat has been my unpaid therapist for many years, and even though he doesn’t give me definitive answers, I always feel so much lighter once I’ve spoken to him about my day. Pets are truly the most exceptional listeners and will undoubtedly make you feel even a smidge better, so if anything should help you get over your day, some quality time with your pet should do just the trick.
Read a book
I can’t even think about how many times I have said reading a book is an excellent remedy for stress, but I’m going to repeat it. Nothing relaxes me more, and I know I’m not the only one out there, than curling up with a book and allowing myself to forget about everything in my world as I become part of the one I am reading. Reading a book when you are tired and stressed can be incredibly therapeutic because it forces you to stop thinking about the negatives in your day and makes you instead imagine and become involved in the story you become part of. So, if reading is something you enjoy and you don’t always make the time for it, now is the ideal opportunity to crack open that book and become part of a world that makes you forget your stresses.
Pamper yourself a little
If you aren’t the type of person to turn to food or a book when you’re stressed, setting up a home spa and taking the opportunity to pamper yourself a little isn’t a bad idea. In fact, having a spa date for one in the comfort of your own home is a great alternative way to give yourself a little love and relieve yourself from the stresses of your day. You could try a soothing facial right after a nice hot shower, or you could exfoliate your body using your favourite body scrub. That will definitely put you in a good mood. My favourite body scrubs are the cookie one from lush and the Sorbet Spa ones. They both have such amazing smells, and my skin always feels so soft and smooth by the end. Last but not least, if you have the necessary skills, you could do a home manicure or pedicure with your favourite colour polish. It’s hard to feel tired and stressed when you’ve got great nails and soft skin, right?
Binge-watch your favourite show or movie
In addition to reading a book (or instead of if books aren’t your thing), a fantastic way to unwind and take your mind off your troublesome day is to binge-watch your favourite series, catch up with your favourite YouTube channels or even watch that movie that you just haven’t found the time to see. Sometimes we have so many responsibilities and have so much to get done from day to day that we never let ourselves unwind and let our minds take a break. So, much like with a book, watching a tv show or movie helps get your mind off your day and the stresses of life by forcing you to focus and become invested in something else. Plus, it is an excuse to put your feet up and snuggle with a blanket for a decent amount of time.
Have a spa bath at home
One step shy of doing a full home-spa would be to run yourself a soothing, bubbly spa bath where you can soak away your troubles from the comfort of your own bathroom. Fill the tub with your favourite bath products like bath bombs (all of the Lush ones are amazing!), bath salts or bubbles, light a few candles, pour yourself a beverage and even grab a book. A bath is a perfect opportunity to relax after a hard day’s work while your skin hydrates and rejuvenates itself with the bath products fantastic properties.
For more tips about how to have the perfect spa bath at home, check out this link: https://tallblondetales.com/2020/01/08/how-to-have-the-perfect-spa-bath-at-home/
Order takeouts or have a treat meal
Nothing cures stress like comfort food. Especially when it is something you don’t regularly indulge in. For me, nothing makes stress melt away more than homemade chocolate chip cookies with a glass of milk, or ice cream. I know it is fattening and so not needed if you are trying to be healthy, but it puts a smile on your face like almost nothing else can. However, if you’re not really into sweets or that sort of junk food, you could always order takeouts. Sometimes, if it has been a horrible day, there is just no time or energy to cook so getting takeouts from your favourite place is the perfect solution – comfort food without even having to leave your house. Of course, this shouldn’t be the solution every day because not only will that make your wallet sad and empty, but it is certainly far from healthy. But doing it as a treat once in a while is perfectly acceptable, and in fact, an excellent idea, because everyone deserves a treat meal now and then.
Journal or fill in your gratitude journal
This is the perfect outlet for stress, problems and frustrations. As I’ve mentioned, writing can be incredibly therapeutic because it always you to let all your thoughts out and help you get some clarity or perspective on any issues you might be having. A gratitude journal can also work because it forces you to focus on the positives in your day rather than the negatives, and creating that more positive mindset can be a life-changing experience. It is also then lots of fun to go back to your old entries and who knows, your past self may even have advice for a problem you are facing now? You never know …
And so there you have it! Taking some time at the end of a long, busy, stressful day to relax and revitalise yourself will help both your body and mind feel refreshed, peaceful and ready to take on the next day. I know these suggestions won’t make the stress disappear, but I hope that these tips at least make you feel a little more relaxed and peaceful at the end of your day.
If there is something, in particular, you do to relax after a long hard day, please share it with me in the comments section (I’d love to hear about it!) and, if you enjoyed the post, please don’t forget to like and subscribe. As always, thank you all so much for reading, and I hope that you all, at the very least, get a little bit of relaxing time this evening after your busy week.
Lots of Love
Blondey on a Mission xxx
Tall Blonde Tales 