Ask the Readers: How Do You Unwind After Work?
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For many people, the regular work day is filled with stress, deadlines, and constant movement — whether physical or mental. Even those of us who love our jobs, or those who work in a more relaxed environment, need to find ways to relax and recharge after a long day.
How do you unwind after work? Do you prefer to socialize after work or spend a quiet night at home? Are there certain activities that always do after an especially stressful day?
Tell us how you unwind after work and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!
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Watching TV helps me unwind.
I like to unwind by either playing a video game for a bit or by reading a book that I enjoy.
I like to take a short walk around the block and get some fresh air. It really helps me to unwind!
I like to watch TV or take a bath and read a book.
Usually enjoy a nice glass of wine while cooking dinner, reading, or going for a walk
I like to unwind by watching TV
I like to unwind by playing online games, watching sitcoms (laughing is important!), reading. I need time away
I unwind by throwing myself into my recliner and reading or playing with my 4 month grandson .
With a bubble bath, music and a glass of wine.
Wine and cuddling with my cat. I live a wild life.
I ride my bike home!
Back when I was working, I took a half-hour walk at lunch time. That helped break things up. Nowadays I sew or knit after dinner to unwind.
A mug of coffee followed by a nap.
Go out and drink a couple of cocktails then head home for some TV or book reading.
This is tough for me because I work at home, and sometimes find myself working late or going back to work after dinner.
However, I'm getting better at disengaging when my significant other comes home. I put the computer to sleep and meet him at the door. We unwind by talking about our days while sitting in side-by-side comfy chairs (like Carl and Ellie in "Up"), and continue to chat and enjoy each other's company while making supper together.
I try to have a small amount of quiet when I get home from work. I might chat with my husband for a few minutes about our days, but I need some quiet time, too.
I do one of a number of things to unwind. Drink wine, happy hour with friends, nap, go for a long walk or bike ride, watch Anthony Bourdain shows with my sweetie, read, or take a bath.
I like to take bubble baths.
To unwind after work my husband and I share our day while we prep and make dinner. We have a galley kitchen so it is a great way to share and laugh and let go of annoyances from the day. It's amazing how much a stress reliever it can be to dice veggies or whisk sauces!
It depends where I am working. I mainly work from home now, and if I have been working away all by myself all day I like to see friends and get out of the house. If I have been working on-site somewhere and have been traveling, I like to come home, make some dinner, crack open a beer and relax on the couch for awhile.
I also try to get out and walk my dog for an hour or so when I am working from home. It helps to clear my mind as well as get me some exercise!
I unwind after work by sitting out on my patio and having a hot cup of tea.
A book or a half hour on the laptop with a snack, usually! :)
Read a book or Kindle
I love to read, so reading a book always relaxes with me and add some sweet iced tea and I am in heaven
The whole family goes for a walk after dinner.
Knitting or crocheting help me unwind and relax. They keep my sane!
I am an introvert - relaxing after work usually involves being alone (or I am okay with talking with my husband about our day, but if I Had a really hectic day, I'd rather we just be quiet with each other until later in the evening). I like to either cook something for dinner that I am familiar with or read a book.
I've been working from home for almost 18 years now. So when my husband comes home from work, I stop working and we sit at the kitchen table and talk about our days and reconnect. In the summertime if the weather is nice we sit outside on the deck and do the same thing.
I walk or ride my bike to work so coming home either walking or riding helps me unwind.
I like to unwind by watching TV
Sometimes I go to happy hour, and sometimes I like to take a nice walk if the weather is nice!
Reading or playing with my "furbabies" is how I unwind when I get home from work.
A bubble bath with jazz and no interruptions from the kids
I like to take a nice, warm, and relaxing bath after an especially stressful day. Typically, i like to unwind by taking a walk outside or reading a book.
I like to either watch tv, play a game, read a book, or go for a walk around the neighborhood.
I read a little bit of celebrity gossip and go for a walk
I always workout, but if I'm particularly stressed, then my workout is either longer or harder depending on what I had originally been planning. I also enjoy reading in the evenings to escape for a bit.
When I get in the car I listen to my favorite music. Then when I get home I walk my dogs right away. This is our longest walk of the day, and it's a good way to decompress from work. We all get our exercise, plus I can clear my head.
I like decaf coffee and Netflix.
I love jumping rope!
I usually sit down on the couch with my dogs and cats, poke around on the internet, and watch some tv.
I like to veg out on the couch with a favorite TV show or a good book.
I unwind after work with a coffee and my iPad. Iced coffee in warm weather, hot coffee for cold. Coffee relaxes me.
Checking my email and facebook, making dinner with my family, or maybe watching TV with my hubby.
Watering the plants on my patio or doing some gardening.
I go to the gym. It helps me forget about anything that stressed me out for awhile and the endorphins after the workout help make things not seem so bad afterwards.
I am a connector (Malcolm Gladwell style), and deep connections with friends and loved ones both relaxes and energizes me. I enjoy the intellectual stimulation and spiritual nourishment of spending time connecting with people.
I, all too sadly some days, enjoy a beer or two after work.
turn on the tv...then go through my emails, then facebook. By then I'm ready to start dinner.
Right now, I unwind after work by watering my flowers and picking fresh produce from my little garden patch. It brings me such joy and pride when I pluck those juicy tomatoes!
I love to take a short nap to unwind. Makes me feel refreshed and ready to enjoy the rest of the night!
I like to unwind by saying hello with hugs and excitement with our two dogs and then changing into comfortable clothes.
Oh my favorite thing to do to unwind from work, is to go out and check our mini garden! I love to water it, check whats ready to pick! Look for new growth..whats getting bigger! Last week we had 4 caterpillars we watched grow and get ready to go and spin cocoons! Hope to see the butterflies soon! Peaceful!
I go to the gym!
I like to read, make jewelry or write plays.
i zone out to tv or radio for a bit
Go to the gym.
I like to cook dinner.
Board games with Handsome. Free, fun, and mentally stimulating!
I meditate for 8 minutes every day. That's all it takes to relax. Listening to my favorite music also is relaxing. And I read for relaxation, too.
I have a landline phone, but seldom feel the need to answer it. I've never had a cellphone or other electronic gadget, so that in itself is relaxing.
I spent some time on the internet but the most relaxing I do is knitting or crocheting.
I watch tv
A glass of wine, a good sitcom, and a tasty dinner--there's no better way to unwind after work!
I watch TV to unwind
I work at night so I get home late 11 or later. I take a shower and have a vodka lemonade if my night was stressful, otherwise I take a shower have a cup of tea and watch Craig Ferguson, Tavis Smiley and Charlie Rose on tv, then go to sleep after I am fully unwound!
I like to unwind with a cocktail.