We get it! Work can be stressful; even if you love your job, work can become a bit too much from time to time. A busy life outside of work can only make things worse. In a recent blog post we explained how stressful work can affect you and now we want to share a few tips to help you destress from work!
Exercise
Exercise is one of the most common tools people use to de-stress. The nice thing about exercise is that there are so many options, you just need to find the one that works for you: move some weights, go for a job, stretch out with yoga, take the dog for a walk, bike or swim. Exercise reduces stress by producing endorphins which help eliminate the stressful hormones.
Our advice: create a workout plan. Doing so will help you stay committed and help alleviate stress on a regular basis. Using exercise only when stressed can certainly help, but it might not always be easy to motivate yourself to get to the gym.
Meditation & Breathing
A few minutes of mindfulness or several deep breaths can also help reduce your stress. In both cases decluttering your mind and increasing oxygen levels within your body helps return to state of normalcy and relaxation. Practicing these are great because you can do them just about anywhere. They are short and require nothing more than your inward attention.
Listen to Music
Put the headphones in, turn on your favorite playlist and relax! This one is obvious – everyone knows the perfect song to help them ease those nerves.
Spend Time With Loved Ones
You spend a lot of your time each week away at work. Do not forget to make time for those loved ones in your life. This is important for a variety of reasons; one of them being the stress reducing benefits. Seeing, holding and talking with your loved ones is one of the greatest ways to get your mind off work and relax a bit. Equally important is being there for your loved ones – something might be stressing them out as well and they want to confide in you. Make time each week for your loved to help with stress and build the important relationships in your life.
Write or Draw
Writing is not for everyone, but for some, sitting down with a blank sheet of paper is the perfect recipe for relaxation. Being a good writer or drawer is not necessary. The act of thinking and turning your thoughts into real words or drawings is beneficial nonetheless. Practice, and over time, writing or drawing might become a new favorite hobby of yours.
Unplug
You hear it all the time: put your phone away! The internet is great, but it can easily become a distraction in your life and prevent you from focusing on your well-being. What you do during that time is up to you – read a book, exercise, spend some time with the family, go for a drive. But take the electronics out of your life for a few hours every week or once a month. This is a good habit to get into even if you are not usually stressed out. Phones, TV, video games and computers might be essential to your life, but so is your happiness and allowing those devices to become distractions can have irreversible effects after a while.
Watch a Movie
While we acknowledge the importance of unplugging your devices every so often we recognize the importance of movies and TV shows as well. Sit down and enjoy a favorite movie or find a new one; watch some episodes of your newest series. Moderation is key – once you start binging on a regular basis the effects will be worse.
Find Your Hobby
Everyone has that favorite hobby which might also be the perfect de-stressor in your life. Go play a round of golf, spend some time in the garage or build something new for the house. Your hobby is yours. If you are feeling overwhelmed it might be a good time to return to that hobby for some relaxation.
At the end of the day you have to find what works for you. Complaining about the stress is only going to make things worse. Some of these might not work for you, but it is important to find something that does. Knowing how to reduce your stress will make work and your home life much more enjoyable.