Whether you love your job or loathe it, work can be an incredibly stressful experience. If you find yourself shouldering a lot of responsibility as part of your daily duties, then it can often feel like the weight of the world is on you. Even if your job is fairly low-level or has minimal impact, you can still feel like your workload is getting on top of you very easily.
With that in mind, it’s crucial to make sure you’re doing as much as you can to relax in your downtime. Many people underestimate the importance of just kicking back and chilling out after a stressful day or week. However you happen to unwind, you should make sure you’re not overthinking your day job or giving too much of yourself to it. Here’s how to maximise your downtime if you’re having a difficult time at work.
Give yourself a project at home
If you’ve got something to work towards at home that doesn’t feel as stressful or difficult as your day job, it can serve as something to look forward to when you get home each day. A good example of a project would be a room renovation or refurnishing; replacing old, worn-out furniture with new and shiny alternatives can really make your house feel new and give you a reason to anticipate coming home each day. Why not start with the kitchen or bedroom? There are plenty of great custom furniture websites out there that can help you with this, so get started today and you won’t regret it.
Do what you love
It sounds obvious, but you should set aside time to do what you love as often as you possibly can. If you love to play video games, then make sure you’ve got an hour or two each night to wind down with your favourite game. If you’re a movie buff, then either check out a new film or watch an old classic every night. Creative types should make sure they’re keeping up their creative output, even if it’s not something they feel particularly proud of. Engaging in hobbies is a great way to de-stress after a difficult time at work.
Set aside time for your family
With such a demanding job, your family might feel like they’re being neglected, or at the very least they’re worried about you and the impact your work is having on your health. Make sure that, at weekends or in the evenings (or whenever is convenient for your schedule), you make time to go out with your family or just watch some TV with them. Spending time with loved ones is proven to reduce stress, and hey – they might just have some tips or tricks to help you with that work project you’ve been fretting about.
Discuss your workload with your manager
If you truly feel that you’re being given too much work, then it’s a very good idea to discuss that with your manager. Many people feel apprehensive about doing so; after all, traditionally speaking, it’s not a good idea to admit you’re over-faced with the amount you need to do. In this era of honesty about mental health, though, your manager should be understanding and hear you out. In the end, you might be able to discuss being given a smaller workload, or perhaps allocating your time on something that’s less stressful at your current job.
Contemplate a career change
If your job is really, really stressing you out and everything feels hopeless, then it might be a good idea to start thinking about a career change. Obviously, we’re not advocating making any sudden life changes without thinking first, but just considering a change of job can really help. Shop around on job websites, see if there’s anything that interests you, and chats to colleagues and friends about potential external work opportunities. You don’t have to make any commitments or take the plunge – just remember that you’re not stuck in this job if you don’t want to be.
Get regular exercise
Not everyone’s schedule has room for regular exercise, but there are very few of us who can’t manage to implement a decent exercise regimen if we try. Instead of catching public transport to work, is it possible to walk? Can you fit in gym visits or a run before or after you begin your job? Exercise releases endorphins, which make us happy and null the muscle pain that might result from a particularly intense workout. If you want to maximise your downtime, there are few better ways than to work on getting your body in shape (or keeping it there if you’re already fit).
These are just a few ways you can maximise your downtime from work and keep your stress levels down. Did we miss any? Do you have any tips of your own? Let us know!
