5 Ways to Mentally Refresh After a Stressful Day

We should accept that it is impossible to avoid stress. But it is possible to turn around a stressful day easily. Stress can be brought on by anything, from work and friends to family and the house. But we ought to have the wisdom to manage the stress we experience throughout the day.

Stress is the body’s response to anything that requires concentration or action. It usually causes physical, mental, or psychological strain on a person. Everyone experiences stress from time to time. Your overall well-being is significantly impacted by how you deal with stress.

Self-care can not only be helpful immediately but also improve mental health in the long run. Routinely exercising self-care can help you feel less stress and anxiety, be more resilient, and meet obstacles head-on. Don’t you know where to start? Let’s discover five strategies you can use to relax, recharge, and reset after a stressful day.

1. Take a Hot Bath

You’re usually worn out when you get home from a hard day at work. After a long and stressful day, a warm bath can relieve stress immediately, as hot water is considered to soothe muscles and relax the mind. According to studies, the ideal time for having a warm bath is before going to bed at night. This will help the body relax and reduce stress after a long and tiring day.

While taking a hot bath, you should massage your body slowly from the ankles to the waist, arms, and neck to reduce stress. Massage and hot water will improve blood circulation, relax nerves, and remove toxins from your body.

To maintain your body’s safety, you must also pay attention to the water’s temperature and the duration of your bath. According to researchers, the normal average is between 15 and 30 minutes, and 44 degrees Celsius is the optimal water temperature for a healthy body.

2. Listen to Music

According to researchers, music can help people unwind and control their stress. It can also lower blood pressure and slow down heart rate. While cheerful tunes can give you a more enthusiastic and positive outlook on life, a slower tempo helps calm your thoughts and relax your body so you can let go of the tension of the day. With the help of your favorite songs, you will find your daily chores less demanding.

In a more recent 2020 survey, 57% of Americans listen to music to cope with stressful situations, compared to 33% of people who use video games and 40% of people who find exercise useful.

Interestingly, the researchers found the world’s most relaxing music: “Weightless” by Marconi Union. The power of this song is exceptional compared to any other song they have ever tested. “Weightless” induces a 65% reduction in anxiety and a 35% reduction in usual physiological resting rates.

3. Close Social Media Accounts for a While

Let’s be honest: our social media pages are noisy, and a lot of stress comes especially from the information we see and read while scrolling through Facebook and Instagram. In reality, your level of happiness or stress is closely correlated with how much time you spend on these platforms. Thus, social media is not the best place to go after a long day if you want some tranquility and peace.

As a result, it is sometimes recommended to take a break from your social media accounts and go offline for a while. This will give you peace of mind and allow you to lessen the stress and concern you feel during the day. If you are able to unplug for at least half an hour each day, you will be surprised at how much better you feel.

4. Take a Nap

Sometimes, all we need to recharge is a quick 30-minute sleep! A nap is like pressing life’s reset button. Naps boost energy, speed up the process of decision-making, and lessen daytime tiredness. They ease tension and aid in lowering symptoms of depression and anxiety while providing relaxation. Taking a nap helps lower stress levels and control stress hormones like cortisol. They also strengthen problem-solving skills, productivity, creativity, and other cognitive capacities.

Generally, there are three nap styles:

1. Naps for recovery, also known as replacement naps for your missed sleep.
2. Prophylactic naps are scheduled when you know you’ll have a late night out.
3. Appetitive naps that are chosen purely for enjoyment.

5. Read a Book

The stress of daily life can be effectively and healthily alleviated by reading. Every day, set aside 30 minutes to read in a spot with a peaceful atmosphere where you won’t be disturbed. A very important thing to remember is that reading will only make you feel less stressed if you select a book that you truly enjoy rather than one that is on the best-seller list. Another benefit of reading is that you can prepare your mind for heavier tasks the following day by finishing a smaller activity each day, such as reading a book chapter.

According to a 2009 study by the consultancy Mindlab International at the University of Sussex, reading is a more effective form of relaxation than going on a walk, sipping tea, or playing video games. Reading a book decreased stress levels by 68 percent.

Closing Thoughts

Stress shouldn’t be a regular part of your day. If you have decided not to allow your stress to control you, you should take action. Obviously, stress cannot be avoided entirely because there always will be inevitable stressors, but taking care of your own mental health can make it much easier to deal with difficulties as they arise.

Next time you feel like you’ve had a long, hard, and stressful day, try one or more of the abovementioned relaxation methods. They’re simple, fast, and, best of all, cost nothing.