Every so often we have a long day at work. Whether it’s the amount of work we need to do, conflicting priorities, or just many things going wrong, a long day at work can be challenging and hard to recover from. Here are a few tips for recovering after a long day at work.
1. Lie down and do nothing
One of the best ways to recover after work is just to lie down. This helps you feel relaxed and gives both your mind and your body a much needed rest from your day.
Lie down on your bed or couch. Close your eyes and do nothing. Don’t lie down to read a book or play with your phone, as this doesn’t really give your brain a rest. Don’t look around the room and notice what needs to be cleaned or put away, as this will just distract you. It’s kind of like meditation, but you don’t need to commit as much as meditation.
You don’t need to do this for very long. A few minutes can help you feel more relaxed. Ten or 15 minutes can be enough. If you need to have a nap, make it a short one, as it could disrupt your natural sleep cycle.
2. Get some exercise
Another way to feel good after a long day of work is to get some exercise. I like running, so a couple of times a week I go out for a run. It’s only a couple of kilometres, but the act of running and breaking a sweat makes me feel better. It’s also a great way to reduce stress at work, if you make it part of your schedule.
You don’t have to go running if you don’t like to run. Try riding a bike, going to the gym, playing a sport, doing some yoga or pilates. Any kind of exercise will help you feel better after your long day at work.
3. Take a bath or shower
A great way to feel refreshed is to have a bath or a shower. Lying down in the tub for a while is very relaxing. Run some hot water into the bath, get in, and lie down for 20 minutes. This is similar to lying down on the bed for a while, as it can relax you and make you feel warm at the same time.
If you don’t have a tub, or don’t like to bathe, take a shower instead. Sometimes I like to have a shower after work if I’m feeling run down or sore, and it makes me feel better. Showers are quicker and the feeling of warm water on your head is great.
4. Change into comfortable clothes
It’s normal to change out of work clothes when you get home. Getting out of the suit, or uniform, at night time can make you more comfortable. However, it’s best to get into something that makes you feel comfortable and relaxed.
Don’t stay in your work attire when you get home. If you’re feeling tired or drained, change into comfortable clothes, like track pants and a jumper. It might not be fashionable, but comfort should be the aim here and every little thing you can do to feel better will help.
5. Do something you enjoy
After your long day at the office, working hard, and getting things done for your team and your employer, you should take some time to do something that you want to do. Doing something you enjoy will make you feel better and might make you more relaxed.
Listen to some music, watch a movie or some TV, paint, cook dinner, or play guitar. Work on something you enjoy and that isn’t too draining, and you’ll probably find your mood increases.
I like to watch an episode of a TV show to relax. There’s a few that I watch and, if I need to recover, I can just switch off my brain for an hour and watch one of these shows.
I hope these tips can help you after your next big day at the office. If you’ve got any other tips, share them in the comments section below.
Featured photo credit: My Shame/bruckerrlb via flickr.com
