28 Apr After-work rituals that will improve your health
As we slowly head back into the office from a year of walking from home, it is important to have a good after-work ritual to help you relax, decompress and reenergized after a long day working.
So, instead of switching on Netflix, ordering takeaway and flaking on the coach, these simple, easy and quick rituals will improve your health and help you feel energised the next day.
Yoga or Stretch
Some quiet minutes of yoga or stretching can help create a boundary between work and home. A small amount of physical activity is also good way to de-stress and reconnect to your body, especially if you’ve been in your “head” all day or staring at a computer screen.
Go for a run or walk
It’s not a secret that exercising regularly will improve your health. When you come home from work, try slipping on your workout clothes and hitting the pavement. According to science, running keeps your brain young, fights off anxiety, and boosts your mood. If you’re not a runner, taking a brisk walk will do the job just fine (and it gives you a chance to finish the end of that true crime podcast).
Read A book
Reading is the perfect way to allow yourself to escape reality after work and dive into an entirely different world. Not only is it great for entertainment, reading can help improve your memory, increase your attention span, and reduce stress levels.
Cook yourself dinner
Cooking something delectable is a great way to unwind. Cooking and baking are proven to boost your mood and your creativity —there’s something about measuring out ingredients and following a recipe that makes us feel in control, especially when we may feel helpless in other areas of life outside the kitchen. So, next time you’re feeling crummy after work, pull out your mixing bowl and whip up something delicious.
Turn off your phone
When you leave the office, you should leave work at work and stop checking those emails. Keeping your eyes glued to screens all day can have detrimental effects on your sleep and melatonin levels. So the best way to unwind after work is to shut your phone down and enjoy some tech-free time—unless you want to stay awake all night counting sheep.
Craft and create
Whether it’s knitting, painting, or making jewelry, crafting is a great way to unwind after work. Creativity-focused activities like these allow our brains release dopamine, which is a natural antidepressant. According to research, indulging our creativity not only bolsters our mental health, but our physical health, too.
Clean the house
Contrary to popular belief, cleaning isn’t always a dreaded chore. Cleaning and organizing your personal space can help you unwind while keeping you healthier and happier—and might lead you to view your home as more restful and restorative. Next time you need to unwind after work, let out your pent-up stress by vacuuming furiously fast around the house.