How to Unwind from a Stressful Day

I've had quite a number of occasions where stress tried to consume my thoughts and impact my decisions. It's in those times where I find I really need to step back and figure out why I'm letting the stress in my life in the first place. I really believe stress is optional. Many people have gone through rougher situations than anything I've ever dealt with and can still keep their head on their shoulders, so what makes them so stress-free? I think there five things that can help a person be stress-free.

1. A relaxing hobby

I know for my wife that thing that relieves stress and helps her relax is reading. She is an avid reader and enjoys it thoroughly. For me, it's television and watching movies. That has always been my pastime and for me it's very relaxing. Sometimes it's informational, sometimes it's funny, sometimes it's enjoyable... but it's never thought-intensive. I need things that don't require me to think much; that's one way I'm able to unwind and not think about anything stressful.

2. A creative outlet

When I'm in creative mode I'm not in problem solving mode. It's sometimes in problem solving mode where stress tries to get a hold of me. When I can't figure something out, it bothers me, so I need something to do that'll be constructive. It can be something artistic, it might be as simple as cooking something simple. Creative outlets for me are great stress-relievers.

3. A quiet moment

Sometimes stress comes because there's too much going on around you. Occasionally I like the peace and quiet of being in a room by myself and not having any background noise around me; a time of just me and my thoughts. Maybe I use this time to think about something I've read that's relaxing, maybe I use this time to just sit down and close my eyes. Everyone needs time to just not be something or someone in particular, but to just be yourself and step away from the responsibilities, even if it's just for about five minutes.

4. A new place

I know for me this is highly effective. Sometimes the excitement of taking a different route home, or going to a different place to eat or see something new is a way to unwind. A change of venue is sometimes all I need to get me back into thinking straight. For me, traveling is very relaxing, so whenever I see something new I get excited. I think about all the possibilities, what I'm going to get the next time I come back, curious about what else is in that neighborhood... all of these things come to mind whenever I go somewhere new.

5. A prayer

There are times when all I need to do to unwind is talk to God. Tell Him all about my day and what's going on in my head. It doesn't have to be formal at all, just communicate with Him like I would with my wife or friends or other people for that matter. He's a very easy talk so I don't mind talking to Him. Prayer helps you to get the focus off of you at times as well. Maybe you take this time to pray for someone else other than what caused you to stress.

Whatever your method for unwinding after a stressful day, the key is that you do something. Don't let that stress carry over into the next day. Stress builds on itself and can cause sickness, mental anguish, lack of appetite, and a number of other bad things to you. If you see someone stressed out and you're willing to help, see if that person needs something. You may just be the thing they need to help through what has been a very stressful day.