How to wind down after a difficult day

After a long day, stress can make it hard to relax and put the day behind you. Not every day is going to go swimmingly, life is full of challenges and trials to overcome, no matter if you are young or old, working or retired. Finding relaxation techniques in the evening that work for you is key and the good thing is that there are many different tactics you can try. For those with limited mobility, having stair lifts installed can greatly reduce stress and anxiety but, in this article, we offer some tips and suggestions for winding down at the end of the day so you can get to bed with the day’s troubles well and truly in the past

Enjoy some peace and quiet

The world is full of noise. When we are constantly bombarded with information, questions, and requests, it can easily get a bit too much. If you are tired after a long day and fed up with everything the world has been throwing at you, taking some time to disengage from the world with some peace and quiet can be very helpful. Carve out some space in your evening for stillness, reflection, deep breathing, and silence. You could sit down with a lovely cup of tea, run a nice bath, or simply do nothing at all.

Renata, from the green beauty and lifestyle blog Green Life in Dublin, spoke to us about how she relaxes after a difficult day and fully recommends the virtues of a good cup of tea: “For me, there's nothing better than a good cuppa or turmeric latte and a good book. Half an hour later I am a recharged person.”

The important thing is to not sit there dwelling on your negative thoughts but take the time to slow things down and leave the fast-paced nature of the world behind before you embrace the rest of your evening.

Put away technology

Technology can be a wonderful thing but sometimes it can all get a bit too much, especially when the internet is involved. After a long day, consider stepping away from technology, put away your mobile phone, forget social media, turn off the TV, and have a break from the internet. We don’t need to be constantly connected to the outside world or have every breaking news alert sent to us instantly. At the very least, giving your eyes a break from screens will do them a world of good. So, play a board game, have a chat with a family member, read a book, do whatever you like to do to take your mind off things that doesn’t involve technology – even for just a few hours.

Make time for a hobby

Hobbies bring us joy and provide a wonderful distraction from everyday concerns. So, they should certainly be a part of your winding down routine. If the day has got the best of you, if you are feeling upset or anxious, pick up the hobby that makes you feel happy. What ‘it’ is doesn’t matter. It could be a puzzle, knitting, painting, reading, drawing, journaling, or playing an instrument. Even if it means you head to bed a little bit later that night, you will feel much better having enjoyed a passion before you go to sleep than if you went to bed with the day’s trials still fresh in your memory.

Enjoy some escapism

Sometimes we just need to take our mind off things and that can be hard when going about ordinary tasks. After a long day, immersing yourself in some good, old-fashion escapism could be just what the doctor ordered. This could be something like diving into a good novel, spending time in a world much different from your own and with colourful characters on their adventures. You could sit down to watch a favourite movie or a film you have never seen before. Sometimes laughter is the best medicine – put something funny on the TV. As long as it transports you away from the world you are in, just for a little while, your mind and body will start to relax, and the day’s trials will feel a little bit further away.

Cook a nice meal

For some of us, there is nothing more relaxing or enjoyable than cooking a nice meal. Not only is there a delicious end product but the act of cooking itself can be a welcome distraction from the day. So, try focusing your mind on a particular task like cooking, have some music on in the background, and look forward to the meal that will come as a result. If cooking isn’t your thing, why not spend your evening baking a delicious treat, whether you want to enjoy it yourself or give it to friends and family the following day.

Catherine, from the relaxation blog The Blissful Mind, recommends baking as a way to de-stress: “What better way to enjoy your evenings than with some delicious homemade brownies? Exactly, there is no better way. Making something with your own two hands is a great way to relieve stress and take your mind off your to-do list, and you get to enjoy your creation afterwards.”

Get a takeaway

If cooking is a task that causes you stress, or something that is more of a chore than a pleasurable evening activity, there is no harm in going in the other direction. Take the stress away from your evening meal and opt for a takeaway instead.

Mary, from the blog, Simply Be Wild & Free, shares the following advice: “If you’ve already had an incredibly long day, the last thing you want to think about is cooking dinner and cleaning up after. If your budget allows, let someone else make dinner for you tonight! Pick it up, have it delivered, whatever works!”

Treating yourself to a tasty meal now and then is perfectly fine and if the day has got you down, having a Chinese, Indian, or pizza delivered could be what makes all the difference. If it means you can put your feet up, relax, and have to perform one less chore that day, there is every reason to make that call.

Exercise and fresh air

Exercise is known to reduce stress by producing endorphins in your body and reducing stress hormones. Together these two factors help cultivate a feeling of relaxation. As a result, getting some exercise after a difficult day could help you feel much better, even if it doesn’t sound appealing right away. It doesn’t have to be anything too strenuous either, it could be something as gentle as going for a walk. Further still, the fresh air will do you the world of good, as oxygen impacts serotonin levels, fostering feelings of happiness and rest.

Yoga is a great activity to try for those seeking to relax in the evening, stay fit, and it can also improve mobility and balance. Lifestyle blogger Sophia Patel recommends this approach to relaxation: “Yoga or stretching is an excellent way to relax your muscles and let out tension. Releasing stress physically will also help you to clear your mind as well! I find that full-body stretching helps me to sleep a lot better as well.”

Speak to a loved one

Sometimes there is nothing more comforting than having a nice long chat with someone you care about. Hopping on the telephone or popping around for a chat with a loved one can be a great chance to vent, ask for advice, or just enjoy talking about anything else apart from what’s bothering you. The simple fact of listening to someone else and not having to think about your own problems can also be very welcome. So, reach out to some you love, someone who brings you joy, then have a laugh, share memories, and enjoy a good old chinwag at the end of a long day.

Tips for relaxing at the end of the day

Enjoy some peace and quiet
Put away technology
Make time for a hobby
Enjoy some escapism
Cook a nice meal
Get a takeaway
Exercise and fresh air
Speak to a loved one

Hopefully, the above tips and suggestions have given you a few ideas for how you can unwind at the end of a tough day, put your concerns behind you, and relax before heading to bed. Finding a way to stop stress from piling up is important and can make all the difference for our long term mental and physical health.

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This news article is from Companion Stairlifts. Articles that appear on this website are for information purposes only.