5 Ways to Decompress after Work (That Don’t Involve Your Phone)

Coming home from work is often the best part of our day. We get to kick off our shoes, turn on the tv, and rest until we have to do it all again the following day. But for many of us, the act of coming home from work isn’t enough to wind down – especially if you’ve been staring at a screen all day.

Luckily, there are a few things we can do to make our time at home as relaxing as possible, so we can decompress and switch off as we ease into the evening hours. Below, we discuss five different ways to help you lift the weight off your shoulders so you can fully enjoy the night ahead of you.

1. Step away from the screens

The first thing many of us want to do after logging off from work is jump onto our various feeds to catch up on all the content we may have missed during the day. Try putting your phone away for a few hours to make time for some healthier alternatives.

2. Go outside

This is something that’s much harder to do in the colder months as the sun sets earlier, but going outside for a walk, even just around the block, will significantly lower your stress levels and prepare you for a relaxing evening ahead.

3. Do mild exercise

If a walk outside doesn’t feel like enough, try heading to the gym for a low intensity workout, or perhaps a yoga class. Mild physical activity releases endorphins and lowers stress levels, which is exactly what you need after a long day of staring at a screen.

4. Cook a meal

While it can be hard to muster up the energy to cook a meal after a long day, the action of preparing and creating a meal can take your mind off the stresses of the day – and the best part about cooking is you have a meal to enjoy at the end!

5. Read

It could be anything: a romance novel, a biography, a cookbook, the instructions to your airfryer. The act of reading calms the mind and puts you into a relaxed state. Reading can be seen as a form of active meditation, taking your mind off the day the that was and putting your energy into something else.

This article is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualised health advice. If you are concerned about your well being, please speak to your GP, who will advise on the correct treatment plan. You can also call or text Mental Health America 24/7 for mental health support on 988.