3 easy things you can do to relax and unwind from stress

3 easy things you can do to relax and unwind from stress3 easy things you can do to relax and unwind from stressIts fairly common for stress to enter your life at some point, whether it be home or career induced.Beware the jobs that are so stressfulthey take over the rest of your life. If you are reaching that point, its a good idea to stop and figure out how to unwind.While your job might encourage you to keep going all the time, its always healthier to stop and figure out a way torestore your own sanity.Here are three simple ways you can relax and unwind after work gets you down.1. ExerciseYes, exercise can be unpleasant and its not exactly the first thing that fruchtwein people think about when they want to unwind. It is, however, something that can help you togreatly reduceyour overall stress. When you put your body to work, youre allowing yourself to focus on something other than whats bothering you at the office. Youre also releasing a number of chemicals in your body that help to reduce your overall anxiety levels.Find a workout routine that works for you and commit to it. You dont have to run a mile every day, for example, but you might want to hit the gym and play a pickup game of basketball a few times a week. It doesnt matter what the exercise is, only that you are able to get out there and get your body moving.2. Take a real vacationOne of the more toxic aspects of the American workforce is the stigma againsttaking time off.If youre always at work, though, youre contributing to your stress. Youve earned the right to take time off from work and you deserve the chance to really enjoy that time. Instead of just taking a sick day and trying to catch up on your sleep, you deserve to get out and allow yourself a little bit of adventure.Taking a real vacation will allow you to decompress and visit somewhere new. Try taking avacation overseas, for example, and allow yourself to live like a local. Go somewhere without cell phone reception and unplug your bra in for a bit. Above all else, you need to make sure that you are physically and mentally as far away from work as possible. The more youdisconnect now, the better you will feel when you get back.3. Find a hobbyWhat do you do when you arent at work? If your answer revolves around watching television or taking naps, you might be contributing to your own problem. One of the better ways to get rid of work stress is to start finding ways to enrich your life outside of work. A good hobby can allow you to put your body and mind to work in a way that isnt related to your job. Simply being able to do something that brings you joy will allow you a brief bit of respite from the hectic nature of your job.The important thing about a hobby is that it makes you happy. It doesnt matter if youre racing motorcycles or knitting- its the act of embracing something that you actually love. This not only helps you relax, but it can remind you of the reasons that you actually work at your job.Remember, you r job is just one of the many facets of your life. If you are becoming overwhelmed and unable to function elsewhere, its time to step back and figure out what can make you feel happy. Some stress might be normal, but it should not rule your life.This column originally appeared on BossedUp.org.