The Coronavirus pandemic has caused an unhealthy shift in work-life balance. Working remotely or partially from home has made it difficult to separate our personal and work lives. Since we’re working at home, making a distinction is necessary. For this reason, it is vital to know methods to reduce stress and anxiety after you finish for the day.
Here are some healthy ways to relax after a long workday:
Disconnect and Do Nothing
As work-life becomes more remote, it’s becoming increasingly harder to disconnect from it after the day is over. To prevent this, make sure to avoid thinking about work or using your work phone when you’re done for the day, even if it means turning it off and dealing with the aftermath the next day.
By taking some time to give your body rest, you positively impact your mental and physical health.
For this reason, when you finish working, make sure to take some time out to do nothing. Close your eyes and lie down, even if it’s for 5 minutes. Doing so will give your body and mind some rest since it has been active most of the day.
Create a Post-Work Ritual
Your routine may consist of something simple like taking a deep, cleansing breath as you walk out and intentionally reminding yourself that you have now left work both physically and mentally. Experiment and see what suits you best. Whatever works for you, make it a habit and keep doing it.
Mindfully Meditate
Slow, deep, regular breathing is a sign of relaxation. Mindful meditation involves sitting comfortably while focusing on your breathing and bringing your mind’s attention to the present moment rather than focusing on concerns about the past or the future. Research suggests it may be useful for people with anxiety, depression, and pain.
It is important to meditate to relax after a long day at work. Experts say that mindful meditation can lead to better mental stability, focus, less emotional distress and anxiety, and better sleep patterns. Therefore, it is necessary to learn to meditate mindfully regularly to achieve the benefits it can have.
Exercise
According to experts, exercise positively impacts stress levels as it reduces the body’s stress hormone levels and stimulates the production of endorphins, which significantly elevate mood and reduces pain.
Exercise has also proven to be effective in improving alertness and awareness, reducing fatigue, and improving cognitive function, which can be especially useful when stress has exhausted your ability to concentrate.
Take a Warm Shower or Bath
Taking a warm bath or shower after a full day of work can be incredibly beneficial and relaxing. Submerging ourselves in hot water can be both therapeutic and reinvigorating as it leads to an increase in blood flow and improves breathing. Therefore, you should make sure to routinely shower after a long day at work to reduce stress levels and improve your mental and physical health.
Have Chronic Pain and Are In Need of a Physical Therapist?
If you have acute or chronic pain and are in need of a licensed massage and bodywork therapist in Augusta, we’re the right ones for the job. Healing Hands is a physical therapy center that offers various services which include; treatment for musculoskeletal pain, sports injury treatment and rehab, post-operative rehab, and active living for seniors.
Contact us now to schedule a free Discovery Session, or visit our website to learn more about our services.