After a long day of work at a home office, finding activities to unwind and recharge is essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance. While personal preferences may vary, science based research has shed light on some of the most common and effective after-work activities to unwind, recharge, and balance the stress and focus that work requires, especially when it is done from a computer in your home. Read on to, and dive into the world of post-work activities that scientists say will benefit all of us, especially those of us who find it difficult to separate professional life and personal life when working from home.
Engaging in Physical Exercise
The American Heart Association promotes physical exercise for over all well-being, and says that physical activity after work can help you decompress and relieve stress. It also promotes better sleep and enhances overall health. Any physical exercise such as jogging, yoga, swimming, dance, team sports or strength training not only benefits your physical health, but also plays a significant role in reducing stress and boosting mood. It releases endorphins, knows as 'feel good hormones', which can improve overall well-being and help with relaxation.
Pursuing Creative Hobbies
Incorporating creative hobbies into after-work routine stimulates your brain, enhances cognitive function, and promotes relaxation. Of course, if your work-day is mostly spent on a computer, creative activities away from devices is preferable. Activities like painting, playing a musical instrument, or writing provide a creative outlet that allows your mind to focus on something different from your work. Engaging in these hobbies can help reduce stress levels, improve mood, and enhance overall well-being.
Spending Quality Times With Loved Ones
Social connections are vital for emotional well-being. Psychology Today explains that spending time with loved ones after work can provide emotional support, and increase happiness. Nurturing relationships and spending quality time with family and friends is a valuable way to recharge. Engaging in meaningful conversations, sharing meals together, or participating in activities can provide emotional support, enhance happiness, and create a sense of belonging.
It is important to balance relationships with co-workers with those from different spheres of life, as work relationships tend to rely on the commonality of work experiences, and so solely participating in work-based relationships doesn't necessarily create the separation required to reap all the benefits.
Practising Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques
Mindfulness practices, such as meditation or deep breathing can help reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance overall well-being. Taking a few minutes to engage in mindfulness exercises or relaxation techniques can have a profound impact on mental and emotional state. These practices help calm the mind, reduce anxiety, and improve overall well-being, allowing the release of work related stress and replacing it with inner-peace. These type of exercises can be practices throughout the work-day as well as at the end. When working from home, regular breaks to breathe and relax will make it easier to maintain momentum throughout the work day.
Enjoying Leisure Reading
Reading for pleasure has been shown to reduce stress levels, increase empathy, and improve sleep quality. Diving into a good book turns the minds from work and life issues, to another world. This provides a much needed escape from stress, even if there is no physical separation for those who work from home. Reading for leisure not only promotes relaxation but also enhances empathy, expands knowledge, and improves sleep quality.
Conclusion
Scientific research supports various afterwork activities for unwinding and recharging after a busy and stressful day. Regularly engaging in the practices explained in this article will be beneficial for restoring balance to your work from home lifestyle. Remember, the most beneficial activities are those that you do regularly and resonate with your specific needs. At the end of every workday, put your Conscious Cover on your home office computer, choose the activity that brings you joy, and go get after it!