11 Ways to Relax After A Stressful Day


Life is getting pretty crazy now. Things are getting busier and I'm having to use spare moments to catch up on things but that doesn't mean I forget that essential time I need to have to myself each evening. It's so important to have even just a few moments to yourself to look after yourself and your mental health. Recently when I've been getting home after one of my longer and more stressful days, I've started to find new ways to relax as well as going to my usual favourites. Here are my top eleven favourite ways to relax after a stressful day.


1. Browse Pinterest. We're starting off random but simple here. There's something about Pinterest that I absolutely love. I don't use it like most bloggers do to promote their blog and to create beautifully themed Pinterest boards but more as a place I can go to find pictures that will cheer me up. Whether it is a picture of a cute fox in the woodlands or a sassy quote, I love browsing the depths of Pinterest to chill out for a bit.

2. Play a Favourite Game. This is my current favourite right now. I've got my selection of favourite games whether it's on my laptop or on my iPhone, I love getting immersed into a fantasy world or aiming to beat that high score. This one is more for the gamer girls, but it works like a charm.



3. Colour in. A classic one but a good one. I've got a lovely collection of colouring books and I love grabbing one along with some colours and getting lost in a picture. There's something satisfying about keeping in the lines. and the need for this sort of effortless concentration. There are quite a few people who think colouring in is still only for children, but I disagree. Colouring is for everyone.

4. Draw and Doodle. Doodling is a new one I'm trying out. I'm attempting to take the doodling I do out of my daily distractions and into my relaxation time. Doodling takes me back to my days at university creating art and I remember how happy drawing, doodling and getting lost in a piece of work made me. So much so that I want to try hard to rekindle that love and use it to relax again.

5. Have a Pamper Evening. Another favourite of mine is to lock myself in the bathroom and treat myself. I love a pamper evening where I get to look after my skin, give my hair some extra TLC and put a facemask on. It's lovely to take some time away from all sources of technology and just focus on myself and my wellbeing. Sometimes I have some of my favourite music in the background too to add some ambiance.


6. Guided Meditation. I discovered guided meditation about a year ago when I was having trouble sleeping and I swear by them now. I love listening to them when I need to get to sleep and I'm feeling awake, stressed or restless. They're a great way of relaxing and getting yourself into a more positive mindset. There's a lot of controlled breathing involved too which is great for getting your heart rate down and slipping yourself into that relax state of mind. I've found lots of guided meditation videos on YouTube that tackle a variety of troubles to suit every need like: anxiety, worries, depression and more. If you've thought about trying one, I'd definitely recommend it. I don't have a favourite one yet, but if I do I'll be sure to edit this post or share it on Twitter.

7. Read. It's probably the simple technique for relaxation. Reading has been proven to help us sleep better if we read before bed rather than scrolling through our phones which keep our brains active in a not so good way and reading is something I need to do more often. Right now my reading involved my study related but reading of any sort relaxes me anyway. I have a couple of books I'm still to dig in to so I'm sure I can use my relaxation time wisely to get through some of these books eventually.


8. Drink Tea & Browse Social Media. Contradictory to my last way to relax, I like doing this one when I get home rather than before bed. It's my ultimate way to get into an evening of relaxation. I really miss being on social media recently though. I'm finding it difficult to set myself back into it and I feel like I'm a really boring person now too. I don't feel like I have much to offer or say on social media anymore. It's weird for me and I don't like it. It's a struggle I'm facing a lot due to the lack of relaxing and the amount on my mind so I decided to dedicate spending some time sitting with a cup of tea and scrolling through my Instagram and Twitter having chats with all the bloggers and friends on there. I need to do this a little more to keep active on my social media. You guys are great to talk to on there and I forget to do that sometimes.

9. Netflix & Chill. Not the traditional Netflix and chill but the one where I'm on my own where I get to watch whatever I want and binge through it. Right now I'm really loving The Santa Clarita Diet even though some scenes make me retch. It's a great show and I love Drew Barrymore too so that makes it better! I also love that the Fresh Prince of Bel Air is on Netflix now too and that it won't be long until Orange is The New Black and Pretty Little Liars is back. I'm also really missing Once Upon A Time after it's surprise hiatus!


10. Work Out. Surprise, surprise. This is a new one on me but it's actually relaxing. At the moment I'm taking guidance from Fitness Blender on YouTube to get my workouts done. I like following a guide because I'm still a total noob with my fitness and learning. I really like getting my workout done earlier on in my evenings because I lets me release all that pent up energy and after it's done I know I've got the rest of the evening to call my own to go on full on lazy mode. As energetic as this one sounds, it's a surprisingly good way to relax.

11. Sleep or Naps. My top favourite. I love my sleep and if there is anything that relaxes anyone is just a couple of extra hours sleep. Whether it's a nap or going to bed early any shut eye helps. Usually, if I can get to bed a little earlier when I need it, I will because getting some more sleep has done me the world of good lately. I would highly suggest making sure you get enough sleep in any time you feel a little more tired because not only does it relax you but you wake up feeling a lot more positive and happier.

What do you like to do to relax after a stressful day?

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10 comments

  1. All these sounds like great tips! I must admit I'm guilty of coming home late, taking my dinner to bed and spending the rest of the night wrapped in my duvet if I've had a bad day <3

    Gisforgingers xx

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    1. It's okay to have a bad day though but it's sometimes how to get through those bad days in different ways isn't it? Sometimes it can be a great pick me up and motivator! x

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  2. I'm all about netflix to relax too! Although i haven't binge watched a series in ages. Currently obsessing over ex on the beach! xx

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    1. I love Netflix at the moment. All my favourite shows are back and I am currently half-binge watching 13 Reasons Why. I watch like 2 episodes and get stressed so I have to stop! Haha.
      I've never watched Ex On The Beach... I just don't like that type of programme but I think if I had to watch it I'd eventually get into it! x

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  3. These are all amazing ideas, Cat! I find playing a game relaxing too. I need to take 15 minutes to do that more often :)

    Blessings,
    Edye | Gracefulcoffee.com

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    1. Thanks! I'm glad you like them. Yeah, I've lost my gaming motivation, I need to do this one more often! x

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  4. Yes to all of this! We all need some self-care and I feel like all of these are perfect. I color constantly - it's definitely my go-to when I need some me time. I'll put on a movie and just color! I also recently discovered meditation and it's great! I wish I did it more often. I use the app 'calm' and it's really awesome to do before bed. Also last year I read SO much and I really wish I would get back into it! I've been pretty busy lately, but this Summer I'm going to set a goal for how many books I want to read.

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    1. I've not heard of the calm app before, I think I need to look into it. I don't read enough fiction. At the moment its a lot of study reading so it's really just cramming in what I can! But oddly relaxing when you know you've done some learning too. x

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  5. I'm guilty for using netflix and pinterest scrolling as my stress reliever. But I must admit my favourite way is going to the gym etc. means you come home and feel super sleepy! Definitely need to do more reading and pamper evenings though xx

    Tamz | http://www.throughneweyesx.com x

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    1. I don't go to the gym but I do workout. It is a great stress reliever when you've put all your energy into it! I did read though that you should never workout before bed because it gets you hyped up. I always try and do it first thing when I get home! x

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