5 Ways To Unwind After Work

Has there ever been a more stressful time for health care professionals or everyone in general? Your guess is as good as mine. The Covid-19 pandemic and other health challenges have created chaotic hospital waiting rooms, waiting list for surgical operations, overall chaos in the workforce and  companies are getting short-staffed. Added to declining reimbursements, increase taxes, you can safely expect the potential for burnout to multiply.

As a doctor, health care professional or any other professional, work can get very stressful when considering the long hours you have to put in. After that long and exhausting day, nothing beats going home to unwind. Although people deal with stress differently, there are more ways to relax than a glass of wine and a TV remote.

Taking time to take care of yourself mentally, emotionally, and physically will make you happier, more productive and more efficient at work. You have to be in good shape to get the best results at work.

5 Ways To Unwind After Work

Here are five ways to relax and unwind better after a long day. This is not an exhaustive list, but they are a few tips you can integrate into your daily routine. They are sure to improve your mood and wellbeing, which can make you more productive. 

This might seem like a no-brainer, but some of us do not exercise as much as we should. It is no secret that regular exercise will improve your health and wellbeing. When you come home after a long day, try putting on some workout clothes and going for a walk or run. This can help fight off anxiety and boost your mood. A few minutes of a brisk walk on your street can be beneficial to your heart and body.

Many people do not realise that journaling can be therapeutic, and it is beyond scribbling about your crush at work. There are tons of benefits to keeping a journal, including clarifying your thoughts and knowing yourself better. Also, writing down your emotions and your goals can help you deal with stress. What you can try is to spend a few minutes after work jotting down how your day was. You may also set mini-targets for the next day and come back to them to score small victories for yourself. Apart from the clarity of thought and dealing with stress, journaling can also help you solve problems more effectively.

Reading a book is an excellent way to de-stress after a long shift. With books, you can escape reality for a few minutes or a couple of hours and enter a new world. Apart from good entertainment, books can also help to improve your memory and increase your attention span and concentration. You can choose to read fantasy fiction, romance, motivational, or history books, which are great alternatives to Gray’s Anatomy.

Making your favourite meal after work can help to ease your stress, as the activity can be therapeutic. Cooking can improve your mood and boost your creativity while making you forget about the stress from your shift. Measuring ingredients and following a recipe can make you feel in control, a good thing after a chaotic day. Also, you may have had little time to have a proper meal while at work. Thus, cooking dinner can both help you unwind and relax, while satisfying your hunger pangs.

The late poet and writer Kahlil Gibran once said “Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life bringing peace, abolishing strife.” Music is definitely a way to unwind after a hard shift. Music can help you relax and sleep better so that you feel fresh and better prepared for your next shift. Create a playlist of your favourite songs, curl up on a couch or put your feet up and plug in your headphones.

Finally

Unwinding after a long day at work should be an integral part of your daily routine. As the demands of your job increase your workloads, the right frame of mind to deal with it, is important. This importance is not only for your health but also for productivity at work. Unwinding after a long day at work is as important as work itself and should be treated as such.

Cheers 

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