Ever come home and need to unwind after a long day. Often, we don’t do that because we have other errands to do–dinner to cook, children to mind, laundry and dogs to feed or walk. Any of this sound familiar? So, how do you relax after a long day? How does one find time to squeeze in self care when the day is nearly over and you’re exhausted? Doesn’t collapsing into bed seem like the best option at this point?
Well, yes and no. At this point, your body is super stressed and you might actually find it hard to fall asleep. Also, you’re going to fall into the trap of feeling crappy the next day because you were stressed when you went to bed. While it might be late, and you might not have a lot of time, a little self care on a day like this is exactly what you need to help you relax and unwind. Here are some ways to do exactly that after a long day.
Lounge in a Hot Bath
Honestly, this might be the best thing you can do after a really long day. Hot baths really help you relax and it’s the perfect thing to do just before bed. Hot baths also have a lot of self care benefits and physical benefits, so the twenty or more minutes you might devote to a bath are highly beneficial. I used to turn up my nose at baths, feeling like I was somehow wasting time having a bath, but in the past few years, I have really discovered how amazingly relaxing a hot bath can be and how it helps me calm down after a stressful day.
Take Time to Breathe
Now, breathing is amazing. Breath gives us life after all. And deep breathing has been shown to have amazing benefits for our mental health. It lowers the stress hormone in the body, lowers blood pressure and can help you sleep. Just take a few deep breaths and see how you feel. Deep breathing should be a daily practice to really reap the benefits, however taking even five minutes to just close your eyes and breathe after a long day will definitely help you feel more calm and centred. Deep breathing certainly will help you unwind after a long day.
Journal and De-stress
This is another proven self care practice that I really support and recommend you do. Take some time to record the stressors in your day and then express some gratitude and you’ll likely feel a lot better when you hit the sack. Any kind of journalling practice after a long day will help you feel more relaxed and de-stressed, as that’s how journalling works on our minds and body. You might want to check out this post about journalling for self care for more information.
Grab a Cuppa and a Book/Magazine
Another way to relax and unwind after a long day is to have a cup of herbal tea and take some time to read. You could read a chapter of a book, or just flip through a magazine. Make sure to this with physical copies and not digital as avoiding screen time will support relaxation, especially before bed. If you aren’t really a reader, just enjoy some quiet time with your cup of tea. Avoid alcohol before bed as it can interfere with your sleep.
Give Yourself a Facial
At home facials don’t take longer than twenty minutes and are great self care. They help you relax and even the simple act of doing something for yourself can feel rewarding and help you unwind. Taking care of your skin is important–it’s the largest organ in the body after all–and I personally enjoy washing and toning and masking. The products smell good, they make your skin look and feel better and the time I take to do is focused and helps me feel calm and centred.
Final Thoughts
Self care is important, and it’s really important to include it even on your busiest days. Long days can be hard and draining and stressful. So be sure to take care of yourself even on your longest, hardest days. So unwind, relax and put that long day behind you before heading to bed.
Be sure to subscribe to the blog to never miss a post!
My go-to form of self-care after a long day has been yoga and tea before reading in bed. It has helped a lot, but I think I do need to add a few more options into my line-up because I don’t want it to get stale or end up feeling like a routine rather than actually being relaxing. Thanks for the suggestions!
Stephanie recently posted…The Cutest Contemporary Romance Books to Read
Good idea, we need to switch it up sometimes!
These past couple of weeks I have been destressing by playing the sims 4 on my laptop, which I had not done in so long! The hot bath also sounds lush, especially with this cold!
Simona recently posted…Miso Aubergine Chicken With Soy Sauce
Oh please, take that hot bath and take care of yourself.
I used to work work and never think of taking a breath. My thought was just a waste of time. But actually, we need it. It helps me to relax and gain energy and focus.
Fransic verso recently posted…How to edit photos on the phone using this awesome way
You’re the more productive for taking a break! Glad you noticed that 🙂
I use my drive home to unwind with my favorite music. And the hot bath is good one too, with wine and book 🙂
Some people find that drive really helpful, so that is also great! I can never begin to relax until I’m hone however—whatever works though!
I love everything self-care. I sometimes do a pedicure too, or sometimes just sit and listen to soothing music. It is so good for your mental health.
Joleisa recently posted…Grateful is our Word of the Week (Again)
Yes, pedis and manis are great for self care too! I like the idea of the soothing music as well 🙂
These tıps were amazıng, gıulıa! gettıng a facıal ıs so relaxıng, ı defınıtely need one soon! xx penny / whatdıdshetype.com
Got one recently myself and feel sooo good 😄
I am so so guilty of not unwinding after a long day and just cracking on with it when it would take such a small thing to change my day and mood! Really need to try harder to get some self care time everyday x
I hope you’ll try one of my suggestions then!
Great! I like these points. TAKE TIME TO BREATHe
JOURNAL AND DE-STRESS
I do most of these when I’m having an evening where I really need to unwind after a stressful day. I had my first bath in over 3 weeks the other day and it was bliss!
Jenny in Neverland recently posted…5 Things To Remember During Your Self Love Journey ft. IDentity Lingerie
Oh yes, those hot baths are heavenly.
This is a lovely post. Selfcare is SO IMPORTANT espEcIally aftEr a long day. Wonderful sUggestions. Facials and nice warm baths are wonderful. ☺️
Pastor Natalie (ExamineThisMoment)
LetstakeaMoment.com
Pastor Natalie (ExamineThisMoment) recently posted…DO YOU FIND YOURSELF DEALING WITH BITTERNESS?
It is important! Thanks for reading 🙂
Amazing list! I still get 3 paper magazines delivered to my house monthly because I love just taking a moment to not read on screens and enjoy physical media. I often have tea with it too so I love this tip you provided! I also love to live in my bath tub so definitely a great idea for anyone else is needs to relax. Thanks for sharing these awesome ideas.
Simply Alex Jean recently posted…5 Reasons Why Young Adult Literature is Not Just For Teenagers
So glad you liked them! Awesome to see people like you doing these things and noting how much they help 😃
You cannot beat a hot bath after a long and stressful day! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Lucy recently posted…Hyaluronic Acid Serum: How It’s Hugely Benefitted My Skin
Agreed!!
These are great tips. It is so important to make time to unwind esp. after a stressful, long day. My go-to self-care practise is yoga. it’s relaxing, takes my mind off my day, helps me release tension and soothes my mind. reading a book or enjoying a funny show are also great options. I feel like I need to invest in a bathtub because so many people recommend it. thanks for sharing.
AmethystAP recently posted…Fitness Journey- Couch To 5K And 30-Day Yoga Challenge
Oh you’ll love the bath tub!
These are a great list of suggestions. I personally like the hot bath and the facial ideas the most. my favorite self-care activity is watching TV.
Crystal Green recently posted…February Series and Movies to Add to Your Watch List
Yes, I like watching TV sometimes too for self care.
Lovely tips!
As I finish rather late at 8pm, I don’t really feel like a bubble bath is for me ahah a shower at most 😅
My usual go-to is booting up my sWitch to relax & Play whatever i’m obsessing on (rn its pOkemon), aswell as readIng — or even simply putting some youtube videos on!
Kristina recently posted…Winter TBR recap & my Spring TBR!
Try the bath, you might be surprised 😊 Thanks for visiting the blog.
I used to work and never stop to take a breath. My thinking was a complete waste of time. But, in reality, we require it. It allows me to unwind while still providing me with energy and focus.
PICKTHEVOUCHER recently posted…Extra 10% Off Handbags & Business Bags
Very true!
Yoga and tea before reading in bed have been my go-to forms of self-care after a hard day. It has been quite beneficial, but I believe I need to add a few more alternatives to my repertoire since I don’t want it to become old or feel like a habit rather than a soothing experience. Thank you for your ideas!
pickthecoupon recently posted…40 Inch Long Mens Lab Coat on Clearance For $8.98
You’re welcome!
A cup of tea and sitting down to read is a wonderful way to relax and rest for a bit. I love all your other suggestions too!
Molly | Transatlantic Notes recently posted…Vegetarian Foodie: Mushroom, Spinach and Cashew Rice
Thanks Molly!