Feeling down at the end of the week?
That's okay! We have all had those weeks that feel like they lasted a whole month, but that doesn't mean that we should let them get us down. We should tackle that stress and anxiety head on. Here are 10 ways to help you unwind a little at the end of a long, hard week.
1. Take a hot shower or bath
Taking a hot shower or bath can help relieve tension and ease sore muscles. It will overall help you relax and feel fresh. So what are you waiting for? Put on some music, hope in the shower, and get to relaxing!
2. Listen to music
Listening to music is very beneficial to our mental health. Research from the University of Missouri published in The Journal Of Positive Psychology found for the first time, that upbeat music can have a very positive effect on our well being, so pop on some happy tunes and watch that stress melt away.
3. Sleep, sleep, sleep
Making sure that you get enough sleep can do wonders for your mental health. You can be very drained after a long week, so make sure to keep up on those z's. Take a nap or go to bed early without any distractions. This will help you sleep better and more.
4. Self Care is crucial
Make sure that you take care of yourself after a long week. Put on that face mask, eat that salad, drink that water. Get fancy and make yourself a smoothie or go get a cold pressed juice. Staying healthy physically helps you stay healthy mentally. Clear your mind and your system after a long week to help yourself rejuvenate to face the next week with a new attitude.
5. Treat yo' self
As much as you should be an "adult" and be "healthy" and "responsible" (where is the fun in that?!?!), don't forget to treat yo' self. You worked hard all week. You earned that cookie! You earned that slice (or three) of pizza! So have it, and don't make yourself feel guilty.
6. Hang out with some friends
Hanging out with people increases the production of Oxytocin; that's the love and bonding chemical in our brains. Many Oxytocin receptors are also serotonin receptors meaning that when one is released in the brain, so is the other. Hanging out with friends helps release that feeling and rejuvenate us after a long week. Read more about it here
7. Write some positive affirmations for yourself
It is important to remind yourself every once in a while of just how gosh darn great you are! Take a moment to really look at yourself in the mirror. Tell yourself all of the things you love about yourself. Talk to yourself about all of the things you accomplished that week, both big and small. Remind yourself that every day is a brand new day for you to make something of. It is really powerful to see the beauty in yourself no matter who you are. Make an effort, work through the awkwardness of it all, and just apologetically love yourself.
8. Try Exercising
I know, I know: why would you want to exercise after a long week? Well, dopamine, that's why. When you exercise, you not only help yourself stay healthy, your brain rewards you with an increase in serotonin, endorphins, and dopamine to make you feel even better. All of those chemicals help you relax and feel good after a long week, It will take discipline and effort to muscle through it, but you will feel do much better afterwards!
9. Meditate
Meditating can help you to center yourself. It can help you to realign your energy to be positive. It can also help your to just recharge in a quite, reflective way. You can read up on some scientifically proven benefits of meditating here
10. Entertain yourself
Watch your favorite movie or show. Maybe read a book. Make snacks and snuggle up with your favorite way to entertain yourself. Distracting yourself with something funny or sappy or maybe even scary if you're brave enough, can be a great way to unwind. Just don't let it get in the way of your precious beauty sleep.
Now that you have the tools, you can tackle any bad week that life throws your way with style and ease!
Best of luck to you,
Georgia