One of the biggest mistakes we make is living for weekends and forgetting that workdays are not just days to work – you can work a 9-to-5 and still have time to do the things you want to in your life if you only know how to beat that “after-work slump”. Personally, I feel depleted of all my energy after I’ve been staring at my laptop for many hours.
Whether you have other things you want to do with your day or are looking for ways to relax, it can be hard to motivate yourself to do anything. But, by turning some of these things into habits, you will be more relaxed and energetic to enjoy the rest of your day. If you’re looking for ways to unwind after a long working day, keep reading for 10 things highly successful women do after a long working day…
1. Do some breathwork. If there’s anything that has the power to instantly regulate your nervous system, it’s breathwork. If you’re anything like me and get stressed very quickly, taking a few deep breaths after finishing work, or throughout the day is exactly what you need. Not only does breathwork help in releasing stress, but it also stimulates the lymphatic system (detoxifies the body), increases energy, improves digestion, and increases calmness, according to Urban Balance.
2. Separate yourself from your workspace. No matter where you’re working from, home or office, physically separating yourself from your workspace when you’re done is an absolute must. That’s why it’s important to have your workspace separate from your leisure space, or even worse, your sleeping space!! Intentionally leave the place you’re working at to create a natural buffer between your work life, and the rest of your life.
3. Go outside. Nothing gives me a boost of energy like taking a brisk walk in the fresh air after finishing work, even if it’s just for 10 minutes. The benefits of getting outside are endless – enhances your mood, reduces feelings of anger and stress, improves your physical health, and makes you feel more relaxed. Outdoor time has been proven to have many positive benefits for us. Force yourself to go outside when you finish work, and you’ll find yourself looking forward to doing so in no time!
4. Make time for movement. Movement is free therapy (unless you’re going to one of those “it girl” pilates classes), then it’s truly free therapy! Any type of movement is beneficial, so do what you enjoy and what you can continue doing long-term, whether it’s walking, stretching, weight-lifting, or a mixture of them.
Personally, I like to schedule 3-4 weight-lifting sessions per week, and for the rest, I do low-intensity movements like walking and stretching but feel free to do what feels best for you. As long as you’re moving, you’re reaping the benefits!
5. Ditch the screens. Staring at a screen for 8+ hours a day has several negative side effects like eye irritation, dryness, and blurring of vision, among many other things. So, you want to give your eyes a break and do things that don’t involve screens. You can do things that will boost your mood like go for a walk, finish some house chores, prepare dinner, or even just stare at the ceiling. Whatever you do, don’t switch from your laptop screen to your phone’s screen.
6. Mind dump into a journal. I like to think of my journal as a safe place to dump all that’s on my mind – it’s a feeling of release. Journaling is a way to decompress and decrease stress levels. You can write down anything that comes to your mind; something you’re grateful for, something bothering you, plan for the next week, or if you’re new to journaling, search for some journal prompts to guide you.
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Photo by Prophsee Journals on Unsplash
7. Enjoy a nutrient-dense snack. If you finish work at 5 pm, you’re probably feeling hungry but it’s not time for dinner yet. Which means it’s snack o’clock! You can make a post-work snack that fuels your body and kickstarts your evening. My go-to fuel snacks are smoothie bowls, fruits and peanut butter, yogurt, and fruits, or cottage cheese with oregano and olive oil, and some crackers. Oh, or raw veggies with a hummus dip!
8. Drink some tea. What I absolutely love about tea is that you can drink it at any time of the day, unlike coffee. I always make sure to buy different types of teas for my different moods throughout the day to have a “tea moment” for myself. Some of my favorites are hibiscus for its beauty benefits, peppermint for its hormone-regulating benefits, and camomile tea before bed to relax. Sometimes I buy fruit mixes, but these are always a staple.
9. Drink a hydrating beverage. I know not everyone is a fan of tea so I had to include one for the tea-hating peeps! And also, when you’re working, it’s easy to sway away from your hydration goals, especially when you’re fixated on ticking off every task on your list for the day. Having a huge glass of water after finishing work helps you reset and refresh. For an extra boost, try infusing some fruits such as berries, lemon, or even herbs like mint.
10. Have a stress-releasing hobby. If there’s one thing that’s going to motivate you to get up after work, it’s having a hobby you look forward to. Hobbies are ways to reduce stress, boost our confidence, and serve as an outlet. You can build a community just by having a hobby and connecting to people with similar interests, or get too good at your hobby that you turn it into your full-time job, imagine that! Intentionally engage in a hobby you enjoy after work, whether it’s cooking, gardening, yoga, drawing, or writing.