Life can get pretty hectic. In fact, if you let them, the sheer number of things to do can completely commandeer your time, hijack your life, and sabotage your emotional health. It takes determined, sustained, intentional effort to keep the proper life balance and to truly be well. One way of combating this is to take some time to unwind each day. Here are three tools that can help you to clear your mind after a busy day.
Unplug
Many people’s first tendency is to come home after an exhausting day, plop down on the couch, turn on the tv, and veg. Contrary to common belief, screen time doesn’t just fail to replenish you, but it actually depletes you further. It can make you feel guilty for wasting time and even make you feel like a failure. This doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy some screen time each day. It simply means that you shouldn’t use it to refuel your mind. As part of your daily wellness practice, take some time at the end of each day to be quiet with yourself.
Try Relaxing Activities
The best activities for unwinding include what is commonly referred to as active relaxation. Active leisure means that your mind and body are relaxed but also engaged. Active leisure is the harmonious marriage between leisure and productivity. Popular examples include taking a walk, listening to music, reading a book, practicing yoga, meditating, and engaging in favorite hobbies. Creative hobbies can be great for your mental health.
Get Some Exercise
After a long day at work, hitting the gym or pounding the pavement may not sound very appealing. However, it is well-known that exercise can boost your mood, improve your sleep quality, fill your body with endorphins, fight depression, reduce anxiety, ease aches and pains, clarify your skin, and amp up your sex life. You don’t have to go to extremes to claim these benefits, either. All you need is to walk or bike for 30 minutes, run for 15 minutes, garden for 45 minutes, lift weights or swim for 20 minutes, or play your favorite sport for a little under an hour. If you are skeptical about using exercise to unwind, just try it for a few days. You will be amazed at how much it clears your mind and improves your mood.
You may not be getting the replenishment you crave if your go-to for unwinding is to pass out in front of a screen. You will find better clarity of mind and refreshment for your body if you find more active forms of relaxation. By engaging your body and mind, you can truly relax without the guilt that comes with wasting time.
Check out this article on how to release tension that’s building up inside you.
