Have you ever had one of those days that was just super busy? Like even busier than your normal level of busy? You know, the days where you feel like you have a million things to do and no time to do it, and even when you are making headway on your to-do list more things seem to pile up, and you finally reach that productive sweet spot and all of a sudden eight hours have passed in a blink and your day is done.
I’m sure we’ve all been there, and if you haven’t experienced this, please teach me your ways!
When these particularly busy days hit, you may feel like you’re going a hundred miles an hour all day, so it’s important to know when it’s time to slow down. The human body and brain can’t sustainably work at that pace all the time. We can all benefit from taking the time to slow down, especially at the end of a busy day.
Slowing down can be tough, especially when you have so many things to do and places to be and time seems to be getting the best of you. But it’s important to remember that your mind, body, and soul need time to reset, recharge, and relax so that you can function at your full potential. Slowing down is essential for your overall wellness and well-being.
Unfortunately, we can’t avoid the busyness of life, but we can learn how to deal with it. Read on for 10 ways to slow down after your busiest of days!
1. Step away from your to-do list.
I don’t know about you, but I have a love/hate relationship with my to-do list. I get a real kick out of checking things off when they’re done, but I also have a tendency to dwell on all the things I still have left to do.
When your to-do list is particularly long, you may be tempted to keep tackling it even when all of the more urgent tasks are already complete. It’s great to be productive, but you also need to know when it’s time to step away from your to-do list and take a break. Physically moving it out of your sight is an important first step in getting your mind and body to slow down so you can relax and recharge after your busy day.
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2. Practice mindfulness in your mundane tasks.
When you’re having a busy day, you might complete certain tasks without really thinking much about it. Mundane tasks like laundry and cleaning can become so routine that you don’t put much thought into it anymore. You do it simply because it needs to be done.
The next time you’re doing these mundane and routine tasks, take a more mindful approach. Mindfulness is always a great tool to use to help you slow down. Pay attention to the task at hand, notice your actions, acknowledge your surroundings. Bringing mindfulness into these tasks will connect you to the present moment and help you slow things down.
Related Post: A Basic Guide to Mindfulness
3. Stretch it out.
Busy days can cause your body to feel tense, worn out, and drained. Stretching is a great way to remedy those feelings. Taking even just a few moments to stretch at the end of your busy day will give you a chance to pause and catch your breath.
It can be even more beneficial to stretch throughout your day, but when you’re caught up in the whirlwind of a busy day, chances are the idea of stretching won’t be the top thing on your mind. When you’re ready to step away from all the busyness, stretching can be a useful and healthy way to connect back to your body and slow down your mind.
4. Reflect on what you’ve accomplished.
When you’ve got a to-do list as long as your arm, your first instinct might be to just power through it without looking back. And then when the day comes to a close and you haven’t tended to everything on that list, you might start to feel bad about yourself. This can be a huge downer to your determination and motivation.
Instead of getting caught up in everything you didn’t accomplish during your day, recognize and reflect on what you did accomplish. Acknowledging even the smallest tasks you completed can make you feel good about yourself. Reflecting on what you accomplished during your busy day will also help you slow down and appreciate your efforts. That way, you can avoid the urge to beat yourself up for all the things you didn’t get to finish.
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5. Kick back and watch some TV.
I’m just going to admit it: I love watching TV shows. I’m not even going to call it a guilty pleasure because to me it’s just a pleasure, even if it’s not the most productive or healthy way to relax. Watching some TV is one of my favourite ways to slow down after a busy day, and it actually really helps me to shift my mindset into wind-down mode for the night.
Of course, watching an excessive amount of TV isn’t good for you, but you shouldn’t feel guilty if you really just want to kick back and watch one of your favourite shows (or binge watch a whole bunch of them). Watching TV is a great strategy to slow down for me, and maybe it’ll work for you too!
6. Eat a meal mindfully.
When you’re having a busy day, you might just rush through your meals, or even forget to eat at all. You may think you simply don’t have time to slow down and really enjoy your food. And sometimes, that’s true. I’ll admit that I’m definitely guilty of this myself.
Eating mindfully is a great way to slow down at the end of your busy day. Pay attention to what you’re eating, how you’re eating, and the effects that food has on your body and mind. Take your time and savour your meal. Your body needs nourishment, especially on busy days, so take the time to really soak it all in.
Related Post: A Beginner’s Guide to Mindful Eating
7. Meditate and practice mindful breathing.
Meditating and breathing mindfully are always great tools to use when you’re trying to slow down. During a busy day, you may not give yourself the time to take a break and catch your breath.
The next time that happens, at the end of the day, meditate and practice mindful breathing. This will allow you to connect back to the present moment and to yourself. This practice will also help you feel refreshed and take away the feeling of being on edge that busy days can often bring.
Related Post: 5 Simple Mindfulness Activities for Your Daily Life
8. Spend time with loved ones.
A great way to slow down is to spend time with the people you love. Being with your family, friends, and significant other can have significant positive impacts on your mood and mindset.
Spending time with loved ones can also provide an outlet for you to talk about your feelings or thoughts, which can be so helpful at the end of a busy and stressful day. Talking it out with someone can give you a new perspective and shift your mindset in powerful ways.
9. Spend time with yourself.
If you’re like me, at the end of a busy day, often all you want to do is be by yourself. This is especially true if you’re an introvert, highly sensitive, or deal with social anxiety. Too much stimulation is very draining for me, and I notice that I feel especially drained at the end of a busy day.
Spending time alone is a great way to destress, conserve your energy, and connect back with yourself. Plus, when you’re alone, you can do things completely on your terms, which can be a big relief at the end of a day that feels out of your control. Spending time alone is one of my favourite ways to slow down, and I think we can all benefit from it.
Related Post: 20 Fun and Fulfilling Ways to Spend Time Alone
10. Bring intention into everything you do.
Whatever you decide to do at the end of your busy day, do it with intention. When you have a hundred things on your mind and you’re racing to get it all done, intention can often be thrown out the window. You might find yourself suddenly doing things because you have to, and not putting much thought, purpose, or intention into anything at all.
We all get stuck in those days every now and then, and that’s okay. But bringing more intention into your actions, even if it’s just at the end of the day, can help you slow down and pay purposeful attention. I know from my own experience that living intentionally allows you to live a life more closely aligned with your values, beliefs, and goals. Doing things with intention is a powerful way to connect to yourself and slow everything down. We could all use a little more intention in our daily life, especially on our busy days.
Related Post: How to Live Intentionally
Unfortunately, it’s unrealistic to think we can avoid having busy days. But we can find ways to deal with them and slow down at the end of them. The next time you have a busy day, try one (or a few!) of these methods and do whatever works for you so that you can relax, reset, and slow down at the end of the day.
What are your favourite ways to slow down after a busy day? I’d love to know!
what do you think?