How to Relax at Home After a Long Day

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After a long day, most people look forward to heading home to put their feet up and relax. Thankfully, there are several holistic ways to do so. Learn about the activities you can look forward to that can help you unwind and recuperate. 

1. Pour Yourself a Drink

There are fewer things more relaxing than curling up on the couch with your favorite beverage, especially if you’ve been on your feet all day. Try out these wonderful healthy options:

• Tea: Whether you enjoy your tea hot or iced, it just feels so soothing to drink. You can try calming varieties like oolong and lavender. Chamomile can also improve relaxation and sleep quality in the long run. 

• Juice: Juice some of your favorite fruits for a powerhouse drink. They help you absorb nutrients quickly and easily without making you feel full. If you want to keep your sugar intake down, incorporate vegetables into the mix. 

• Wine: Drinking red wine is healthy as it can improve your heart health and minimize inflammation. However, remember to drink this in moderation to avoid risks like sleep disruption, alcohol dependency and other potential wellness problems. 

2. Tend to the Garden

Spend some time in your home garden. Being around nature grounds you when you’re feeling stressed. It also gives you a little freedom from the day’s arbitrary screen time. 

It’s therapeutic to take your time admiring and watering plants. You can trim dead leaves or branches to help them grow. Harvest any fruits and vegetables that are ready to pick.  

3. Consider Meditation

Meditation can help you process your thoughts and bring forth clarity. Some people also find relaxation and calmness as a by-product. Try these techniques for your retrospection session:

• Mantra meditation: Mantra meditation relaxes you by repeating phrases and communicating your intention. Even echoing simple sentences such as “I am safe in my home” or “I am deserving of rest” can bring spiritual calmness.

• Visualization meditation: Some use their imagination when undergoing visualization meditation, picturing what they like to manifest. Others create and look at a vision board to activate the brain’s value-tagging and disregard unnecessary information. 

• Zen meditation: Zen meditation originated from Zen Buddhism, which involves sitting on the floor with the right foot over the left thigh and vice versa. Focus on your breath and observe the thoughts running through your mind. Be present and let them go. 

4. Try Yoga

Yoga exercises are a great way to practice gentle movements to get your body moving without overly exerting yourself. Try simple moves like the mountain or bridge pose when you start. They may initially feel challenging, especially when you’re just a beginner. However, with some practice and classes, it will begin to feel more natural and calming. 

5. Play With Your Pet

Having a pet is a great way to de-stress, as they keep you plenty of company. Go the extra mile by having a little play date together. Whether you’re teaching new tricks or playing fetch, it’s almost always an entertaining time. Your furry friends will surely appreciate the chance to cheer you up after a long day. 

6. Cook a Nice Meal

Some people find it relaxing to create a warm and relaxing meal in the kitchen. You can make one-pot meals to make cleanup even easier. If you want to have leftovers for the next couple of days, increase the portions and get your containers ready for packing after dinner. 

7. Write in a Journal

Journaling is a great way to decompress about what happened throughout the day. It can be as simple as writing about your day. Other people find that being more creative and adding a few prompts into the mix can help spark deep thinking and lengthen your entry.

Here’s a list of journal prompts you can use:

• Do you enjoy how you handled today?
• What would you like to accomplish tomorrow?
• What do you think are your best strengths currently?
• What are your past weaknesses that you’ve worked on?
• What’s something you’ve wanted to tell someone?
• How would you wish that someone would describe you?
• How are your energy levels at this moment? What could help?
• Draw your current state of mind.
• Doodle what you wish could be happening right now. 

8. Read in a Comfy Nook

Reading is also a great way to escape the stresses of the outside world and dive into a different one. You can reread one of your favorite books or pick up a newer title. Nestle in your reading nook and start flipping the pages.

If you don’t have a nook, you can make one yourself, starting with the comfiest chair you can find. Add lightweight blankets or sheer curtains around the space to make it cozy without feeling claustrophobic. Light a candle, play some calming music and dive into your novel.  

9. Blast Your Music

Tune out the outside world by playing your favorite music on the speaker. You can also pop on your headphones and close your eyes for a more immersive experience. Pop or rock can give you the energy to dance out your stress, while classical music or softer indie melodies may be the way to go if you want to wind down. 

10. Take a Shower

A nice shower after a long day removes all the sweat and grime accumulated on your body. You can also wash your hair to feel much more refreshed and do your skin care routine afterward. While cleanser, toner and moisturizer are enough to give you a glow, add a face mask for good measure. 

11. Catch up on Sleep

Sleep is the ultimate way to relax at home. If you’re getting home during the afternoon, aim for shorter naps. Those spanning around 30 minutes are less likely to cause drowsiness and ruin your bedtime later. If you arrive in the evening, tuck yourself in early for a good night’s sleep. 

Rest and Recharge

Bring your energy levels back with healthy and fun ways to relax at home. Run a trial and error to assess what works best after a long day. You’ll discover the routine that helps you de-stress from everything.