Unwinding after a long day at the office can sometimes be difficult.
Some people find it hard to go from 100 to zero without some kind of help, whether in the form of an activity or some kind of substance.
If you find it hard to relax, try some of these tips.
What Are You Drinking?
Some people like to come home after a long day at work and crack open a cold beer. While this blue-collar approach to relaxation is often romanticized in pop culture, it can lead to some serious drawbacks. A small glass of beer or wine won’t hurt occasionally for most people, but a little too much can cause problems for the next day.
Alcohol actually makes it hard to relax and the side effects from going a little overboard can last well into the next day, leaving you groggy, dehydrated and unable to function adequately.
Alcohol can also be addictive. While you might think that a tall glass of beer once a day after work is harmless, you’d be surprised at how quickly your mind can turn this routine into a bad habit, so instead of reaching for booze, try some tea instead.
A warm cup of hot tea is not only loads healthier for you, decaffeinated tea is non habit-forming and doesn’t have the extreme side effects of alcohol. For relaxation, take your tea with lavender or chamomile and skip the sugar (a little milk or cream is fine).
What Are You Doing?
If your goal after working is to come home and relax, pay attention to what you do. If you’re watching television or a movie, avoid programs that can give you a rush, like an action or drama flick. Instead, watch the news or some educational, historical or cooking programs.
Similarly, if you’re a gamer, try to stay away from video games that can get you exited, like shooter and adventure games. Try a puzzle game or a creative sandbox game instead to keep your mind occupied but your heart rate low. Even an exciting book is far less abrasive than a show or movie since you aren’t utilizing your senses as much.
Also, try to avoid starting (or participating) in any arguments with your family or loved ones. If a fight is unavoidable, try to resolve it quickly and then make an effort to get your heart rate down. This can involve making up after a disagreement, meditation or whatever else might help you relax, but whatever you do, don’t attempt to go to sleep with an angry head.
Your Environment
When you want to relax, make sure you do so in an area that is pleasing to you. This might be your bedroom, your living room or even your bath, but it’s a good idea to avoid places where you are normally not relaxed. Stay away from your office or any place that you normally engage in stressful activities, as these places can subconsciously bring these feelings back to light.
If you’re interested in setting up a dedicated area for relaxation time, there are some ways you can enhance the experience. For example, keep it clean, add some pleasant artwork or a small fountain, install some comfortable furniture and stick to soft, cool colors like blue and purple. (Avoid warm colors like red and pink).
Some Additions
Try using your sense of smell to help you relax. Lavender is the go-to scent for relaxation, but you can also just go with your instinct. If there’s a scent that you find particularly pleasing or relaxing, try to find it at your local candle shop and make it a point to associate this scent with relaxation (which means only light it when you’re specifically ready to relax).
