Last Updated on January 19, 2022 by Shane Corbitt
It’s been a long day, and you’re finally walking in through the front door to your home. You’ve finally made it! Now all you want to do is unwind and spend the rest of the day relaxing until bed. But what’s the best way to do this without having to run out and find supplies?
The answer is simple. You use what’s already on hand.
Roll It
Have you got sore feet? Unwind by giving yourself a foot massage by running the bottoms of your feet over a tennis ball or golf ball.
Stretch Out
Lay on the floor as comfortably as possible and unwind by progressively tightening and relaxing each muscle group in turn. When you feel like you’re going to melt into the floor, you’ve found it.
Pet Your Furry Friends
Holding and petting a dog or cat is a truly satisfying way to unwind, having been proven to be a quick way to lower blood pressure.
Drink Water
When you’re dehydrated, you feel stress more acutely. By drinking more water in the day, you keep a lot of health issues at bay and give yourself an excuse to get up and move every few hours when you need the bathroom.
Create a Routine
We all thrive more when we know what’s coming next. If you’ve been stressing a lot lately, being able to fall into a routine when you first get home will do wonders for getting you to relax.
Create a List
If you’re stressed about things you have to do, make a list when you first get home of the tasks preying on your mind. Now unwind by setting your list somewhere you’ll be sure to see in the morning. Tell yourself this is no longer yours to carry tonight and be sure to pick it up on your way out the door tomorrow.
Turn off the News
If you’re already stressed, the last thing you need is to start worrying about the state of the world. Save the headlines for when you’re starting your day and instead look for quieter pastimes to unwind. Binge-watch a favorite sitcom or grab a book instead.
Clean
Light physical activity does a lot for reducing stress. You’ll also find you’re able to relax better in tidy surroundings. With this in mind, why not clean up the house as a means of helping yourself to unwind?
Address Your Soul
Watch a church service online. Practice meditation. Pray. Be Zen. Whatever your spiritual practice is, now is a great time to unwind stress and find yourself spiritually.
No matter what you choose, the key here is to be intentional in what you do when you first get home. Pay attention to how you’re feeling and how your mood changes when you try different items on this list. Keep what works best for you to help you unwind. In the end, only you know what will give you the greatest ability to relax after a difficult day.
