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Ask HN: How do you unwind at the end of a day?

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31–40 of 131 posts

Re: Ask HN: How do you unwind at the end of a day?

#31
post #7

Queue up a handful (maybe an hour or two) of YouTube videos from my subscription box. Not that it's all that different from the typical "flop on couch and veg in from of the boobtube until you pass out" but if you have a diverse subbox you almost never run out of stimulating, fresh content that does more for you than typical Netflix-style content would. Here are some of my favourites: - AvE: https://www.youtube.com/c…

I think we might be the same person...but, you need to add "this old Tony"

Re: Ask HN: How do you unwind at the end of a day?

#32
First, spend some time getting home. Sweet spot is 30 mins. Preferably biking through nature (looking) areas. Unfortunately for me it's an hour of driving but still, nothing else to do than listen some music and think. Usually first 15 minutes I think about what I ended my Workday with but after it goes into more relaxed thoughts. By the time I reach home work is out, home is in. If you live within biking range of your work I would advice grabbing your bike instead of your car for once (maybe much easier depending on country you live in).

Next, eat. No TV, no devices, just family. Try to get my kid to eat her plate. After that go up and play around with her and put her to bed after reading her a book or two.

Finally, drop on the couch (if no sports) and watch some netflix or read a book. Have to say lately the first wins more often but for now I don't have real problems with that. I do notice that reading a book gives me a much better start the next day though. Probably because I can stay up later when watching TV. Books your eyes just fall shut at some point..

I try to keep working at home to a minimal (it happens, sometimes). I also try not to open a laptop for personal projects when my wife is next to me. Mainly because she likes to talk when I'm home :).

Re: Ask HN: How do you unwind at the end of a day?

#36
post #4

I know it sounds nuts, but I always found changing clothes made a huge difference for me. Get home and put on a pair of shorts, t-shirt and flip flops, or at least something you would never, ever wear to work. It always made some kind of mental shift in my head.

For those of us who live alone, the process definitely stops at taking off work clothes

Re: Ask HN: How do you unwind at the end of a day?

#38
I think breaking a good sweat is a huge reset button if you really need to unwind.

If you are really feeling stressed at the end of the day, maybe there are some small tweaks about the shape of your day that can help. One that I can enthusiastically suggest: naps.

Re: Ask HN: How do you unwind at the end of a day?

#40
My wife calls it "rummaging". I wander around the house putting things a way, fixing little things, folding clothes, finding things to donate/recycle, etc. Sometimes I make bread or chocolate truffles. The physicality of it all clears my head.
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