Simply cutting up a fruit or vegetable allows you to engage with the ingredients you’re working with. For some, chopping can even be meditative, and if that’s the case don’t be afraid to chop, slice, and dice extra ingredients so you can snack along while you cook. There’s a reason why thousands of people have become obsessed with watching these oddly satisfying ASMR videos like soap and kinetic sand cutting. These types of videos are linked to mood management theory, and basically implicitly make us feel more calm. Just don’t get roped into hours of mindlessly watching someone play with slime.
Staying out of the office gossip mill
You can take actionable steps to keep job stress at a manageable level. Working on your time management skills, taking time to recharge, becoming aware of how events affect you, and relying on a support network may help you manage job-related stress. Once you havemastered the art of cooking, there how to destress after work is no reason not to show those skills tothose you love.
How to unwind after work: 13 tips to relax and de-stress
Unwinding by stepping away from work-related thoughts and activities and allowing our minds and bodies to relax can improve your wellbeing, boost your mood, and enhance your productivity at work the next day. This can help reduce overall stress and create balance between your professional and personal life. It can be easy to avoid others when you’re feeling stressed and not in a great mood. But spending time with or talking to your family and friends can help reduce your stress and get you out of your funk. Because we spend so much of our non-work hours at home, it’s important to have a home environment that soothes your stress rather than one that leaves you feeling more stressed and tired than it should. Because clutter has a subtle but very real effect on our stress levels, it pays to declutter as regularly as possible.
You’re juggling the preparation of multiple foods
Not only is it great for entertainment, reading can help improve your memory, increase your attention span, and reduce stress levels. To make matters more difficult, the dishes probably need to finish cooking around the same time. “When you’re pressed for time, it can be stressful to ensure that all the components of a meal are cooked and ready to be served simultaneously,” Winston adds. Preventing work-related stress can involve strategies to manage potential stressors and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
- 💙 Use mindfulness to leave the worries of the workplace behind in this Letting Go of the Day meditation.
- An article on the Wall Street Journal talks about how clinics are using cookingtherapy to treat mental health issues.
- And remember that supplements aren’t regulated by the U.S.
- This means prioritizing sleep, setting aside time for fun, and ensuring you eat throughout the day.
So next time you need to unwind after work, let out your pent-up stress by vacuuming furiously fast around the house. Personally, cooking something delectable is my favorite way to unwind—I find it completely therapeutic. So, next time you’re feeling crummy (ha, ha) after work, pull out your mixing bowl and whip up something delicious. We’ve done some research and found 12 activities that are scientifically proven to boost your mood, help you de-stress, or simply distract you from what’s going on at the office. Take a deep breath, leave the stresses of the workday behind, and discover how to decompress, release tension, and reset your mind in a way that works best for you.
There are many reasons we do this, but there are more important reasons why we can and should learn to stop. Read on to gain a greater understanding of how smart people unwittingly magnify job stress, and how you can leave work at work as much as you possibly can. This can decrease your stress levels, prevent burnout, and increase your overall happiness.
Unwinding after work isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity for maintaining mental and emotional balance in our lives. The demands of work can often leave us feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and mentally fatigued, impacting our ability to relax and recharge effectively. Research has shown that chronic stress and overwork can increase the risk of burnout, anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders. It can boost the production of the brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters to improve your mood and decrease feelings of stress. Physical activity can help you mentally disconnect from work, providing a change of scenery and a new focus for your mind.
- Think of it as having some “me-time” to prepare for what you are going to walk into when you get home.
- There are other benefits to drinking tea, too, making it a great choice for multiple reasons.
- While you cook, avoid multitasking and instead focus only on the meal, dessert, or snack you are preparing.
- If, unfortunately, a parent or caregiver tells a child “you are stupid” enough times, pretty soon, that child is likely to believe it.
- If you need to get that presentation just right or find yourself working extra hours perfecting a report you finished days ago, it may be time to take a step back and reflect.
- Sometimes, it’s easy to underestimate how much stress affects you.
Scientifically Proven Ways to Unwind After Work
Work stress that goes unresolved may lead to emotional and mental challenges and decreased productivity. Keep in touch with trusted friends and family to help cope with stressful work situations. Identifying and recording stressful situations can help you understand what’s bothering you. Some of these can be subtle sources of tension, such as an uncomfortable workspace, chatter in the back, or a long commute. When barbecuing,you will be occupied and this can be a great way to stay stress free. Thelaughter of those you love, and the compliments you get for the meal will makeyou happier than you were.