How often do you decompress after a stressful day? Maybe you don’t have time to because there’s so much going on. As time goes on, stress becomes a huge factor in all our lives. However, the struggles of having any type of lifestyle tend to take lead in what’s good for you or not.
I found myself working a 9 to 5 while taking care of an ailing grandmother. Each day I was met with a migraine and pent-up frustration. And on top of that, anger towards anyone who spoke two words to me. I started to really feel the effects of it all after some time.
You may not think about it but allowing yourself to decompress more often could save you from a world of physical and mental issues.
What does it mean to decompress after a stressful day
I’m sure you’ve heard this statement thrown around before, “I need to decompress.”
According to Merriam-Webster, decompressing is the release from pressure. It’s dedicated time towards unwinding from stressful situations. When you decompress after a stressful day, you’re releasing some of the negative energy that’s surrounding you at the moment.
And within that moment, you may perform a creative activity, taking in lessons of learning and more. But most importantly, you let go of any thoughts of anger and frustration from your day that you may have.
Even saying the word “decompress” can put you in a different state of mind, a relaxed state.
Why is it important to have a moment to decompress after a stressful day
Finding time to relax can be difficult these days. With everything that goes on in your daily life, it’s no wonder that your focus may be on everything else. Although you may go out with friends here and there, it’s usually put off until the weekend.
Let’s take a look at some stressful day scenarios:
Scenario #1:
Marco is a college student with a part-time job. His school life is swamped with six classes a week and he has two term papers and a presentation due at the end of the semester. When he’s not doing schoolwork, he’s a server at a busy restaurant and he works until 1 am. On the weekend, he also helps take care of his ailing mom. There’s no time for a moment to decompress.
Scenario #2:
Tanesha is a lawyer at a small firm. Her days are filled with documents, research, court cases, and more. She usually doesn’t get home until 10 pm, just enough time to tuck in her kids for the night. The next two hours, she spends cleaning up the messes in the house and then going over some work before turning in for the night. She wakes up another day only to do it all over again. There’s no time for a moment to decompress
Scenario #3:
Anna wakes up every morning to get her kids ready for school and her husband off to work. She spends her day cleaning up the house, running errands, and getting lunch ready for her youngest. She grabs a quick sandwich before prepping dinner. At 3 pm, she has to pick up the kids, get back home to have dinner ready by 6 pm, help her kids with their homework, get them ready for bed, and clean up before bed. There’s no time for a moment to decompress.
Does any of the above sound familiar to you? In each of the above scenarios, they find that their plate is full and there’s just no time to unwind. Being overworked in any situation can cause a list of health issues, physical and mental. And one of the biggest is stress.
High-stress levels can lead to:
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Heart disease
- Migraines
- Depression
- Panic attacks
- Muscle aches and pains
- Anxiety
- Stomach issues (digestive problems, ulcers)
This is why it’s important to decompress daily. Giving yourself time to release built-up tension helps to eliminate these issues and more. By holding on to the actions and feelings of your stressful day, all of that energy begins to build up over time.
After a while, it makes it harder to let go of things that linger. This could mean that you’re lashing out at others more, distancing yourself, and growing frustrated with daily life.
Allowing yourself time to relax and take part in things that you enjoy, you begin the healing process of your feelings from your heavy workload. Decompressing is a form of relaxation that gives you the opportunity to let go of heavy thinking, intense problem-solving, and more.
Ways you can decompress after a stressful day
There are so many things that you can try to help you relax after a stressful day. Sometimes just coming through the front door, dropping everything, and sitting on your shoe bench for twenty minutes could be relaxing. Here are a few other suggestions.
Make time to watch your favorite show for an hour
Watching your favorite show is always a good way to decompress. Whether it’s drama tv, a sporting event, or a movie, find yourself a comfy spot and watch. It could also be a good way to clear your mind.
Sit in a quiet area for some quiet time
Quiet time can make for a great decompressing practice. Finding your perfect spot to sit or lay and take in the surrounding sounds of silence can be so relaxing. You can set your timer for fifteen minutes or an hour just to think about absolutely nothing. But be sure to tell those around you that it’s your quiet time.
Put on some music to decompress after a stressful day
Grab your favorite song or album, some headphones, and just listen. Music can serve as a method of calmness. If you could let go of the thoughts in your head and connect with the lyrics and beats of the song, it eventually starts to ease the built stress of the day.
Have a cup of your favorite tea or coffee
Who doesn’t love a warm cup of tea or coffee? A soothing cup of your favorite at the end of the day just might hit the spot. The aroma of both could put you in the mood for relaxation. It brings you to a place of Zen, and calmness and takes you away from the stressful task you’ve gone through.
Take a warm bath or long shower after a stressful day
A warm bath or shower after all the madness is over works wonders. Many people soak in their baths as a way to decompress from the day they had. It can be a nice time to empty your mind. You may even set the mood with bubbles, candles, and light music. Or simply turn on the water to fill the tub and jump in. It’s all about time to release the stress.
Work on a relaxing hobby or arts
You may find that working on some arts and crafts is a good way to decompress. Hobbies like painting, puzzles, and even reading will take your mind off of the things that have stressed you. Working on something that stimulates the mind in a calming way becomes a nice contrast to that overwhelming feeling of stress.
Conclusion
While decompressing may not fix your daily stresses, it can help you from becoming frustrated and angry at life. By making time to release this negative energy, you’re contributing to a healthier mind and body. And dedicating time towards relaxation tells you that you mean business.
Just remember that there’s always time to decompress and enjoy.
What are some ways you decompress? Share your responses in the comments below.
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Until next time, this is Tammy saying keep strong, keep positive. And NOTHING’s Impossible!!!
I find it very hard to switch off at the end of my working day. I come home and just carry on etc. I’m going to sit for an hour, pop the TV on, have tea, and relax. I must do this, and your ideas are very good.
Thank you so much, Pip. It’s so hard when you’re on autopilot and can’t turn it off because we’re so used to going until it’s time for bed. And even then it’s still hard. I believe that you’ll find the time you need to decompress. And before you know it, it’ll be second nature. You got this 🙂