Had a Stressful Day? 6 Workouts You Should Try Tonight

Everyone has different ways of coping with stressful days: overeating sweets, not eating enough, meditation, reading, warm baths, fostering negative thoughts in their head, hitting the gym, taking it out on the people they love, plopping themselves down on the couch with a bag of chips and Netflix or experiencing many sleepless nights. Do any of these sound like you? Of course, some are more positive than others, and it also depends on how stressful the day was, right?

6 workouts to try after a stressful day

If you want to relax…

1. Yoga

Ashtanga, Bikram, Hatha, Yin…do whatever floats your boat. Yoga is an amazing form of exercise that reduces stress and increases flexibility, balance and strength. Can’t fully let go during yoga? That’s okay — keep practicing, and you will get there.

2. Foam rolling and stretching

Maybe it’s some recovery and rejuvenation that your body is craving. In fact, this is where the magic happens. You can’t just beat your body up with intense workouts all the time and then forget the recovery component. Listen to some relaxing music, dim the lights and do some foam rolling or a total-body stretching routine for 10-20 minutes (or whatever time allows).

If you just want to let loose…

3. Dance it out like nobody’s watching

I can’t speak for the guys, but remember those days as a young girl when you would blast your favorite music and dance and sing into your hairbrush microphone? Go for it! Put on your favorite playlist, move your entire body and bust out your best moves. As an added bonus, Harvard Medical School has found that dancing improves brain health and lowers the risk of dementia.

If you want to kick some butt & get your sweat on…

Note: Kicking up the cardio and strength training before bed can be a bad thing for some because it can increase energy and perhaps prevent you from falling asleep. Keep that in mind and figure out what works for you.

4. Kickboxing

Whether you’re punching the air in a cardio kickboxing class or putting on the gloves and punching a bag, this total-body workout burns a ton of calories and prevents you from really fighting someone…kidding! But for those of you who have ever participated in a kickboxing class, it’s amazing how much steam you can let off, right?  

5. Bodyweight training

Grab your Results bodyweight training app, pick a workout and GO! I know, it’s not always the case that you can have a ton of time to yourself when arriving home after a long day — but try. 

Take that time out for you so you can be your best self to whoever you’re returning home to…even if it’s just the cat! 🙂 Bodyweight training can be done anywhere and everywhere and is the most excuse-free workout style on the planet!

6. Pump some iron

Get your Arnold on! Put on your favorite motivating playlist and hit the gym for a weights session. If weights are your thing, squat or press (or both) your stressful day away! Nothing gets me in a better mood than an awesome lower body workout. That’s why I never skip leg day!

However, if you’re one of those people who generally copes well with stress, but after some days, you just can’t even — we challenge you to try moving and getting your sweat on instead!

Do you have a special workout that helps you relax at the end of a stressful day or week? We want to hear about it in the comments below.

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