How to unwind after a week of 8:30am to 5pm?

Since starting my 8:30am to 5pm job, I've attempted to try and schedule in some 'me time' and get into a routine of having easy, stress-free mornings which means I can battle through my day in the office or out at meeting with ease. Sometimes this isn't always possible, you just have one of those weeks where everything is hectic and your plan of an easy, stress-free week gets thrown out the window the minute you walk into the office on a Monday morning. Annoying, right? 

Scheduling in 'me time' can be difficult especially when you know you've got so much to do during the week and all you want to do after a day of work is come home, eat, read a book and then sleep. #StoryOfMyLife. And before you know it, you've worked your way through your weekly office to-do list whilst attempting to juggle 101 other things, suddenly the weekend flys by so quickly and your back to your typical Monday morning routine; pulling yourself out of bed, successfully driving to work whilst trying to stop yourself sneezing uncontrollable over and over again and getting through the 8:30am to 5pm day sounding like a zombie on the end of the phone because you have a horrid cold and a sore throat. Not good. 

Anyway, when your feeling low (because of a cold which doesn't seem to want to pack its bags and leave) or you've just had a hectic week at work it is important to schedule in some 'me time'. Here are a few 'me time' ideas which help me to unwind from the madness... 

Painting my nails
I actually find painting my nails rather therapeutic - most girls are probably saying "are you crazy?" right now but that's okay. To be honest, changing up my nails with different colours, designs and patterns is rather enjoyable for me and just think the more often I paint my nails, the quicker I use up the nail polish and the more reason I have to buy more. It's a win win situation when you think about it. 

Getting lost in a good book 
Whilst I was at university I never really got the chance to read many books; apart from if you count all those 500 page Research Method textbooks that I had to read for my dissertation - I know what you're thinking how can anyone write 500 pages about Research Methods, believe me when I say I asked that same question to myself everyday in third year. Anyway, there is nothing better than getting lost in a good book and not being able to put it down - I think it is a perfect way to unwind especially in an evening after work. 

Looking after number one! 
I suppose 'me time' is looking after number one but I mean looking after number one can mean treating yourself every once in a while or spending some time in the evening having a pamper session with a glass of wine, chocolate and a favourite movie or simply rewarding yourself with some much needed catch up on sleep. Bliss. 

Exercise
Okay, I get when your ill this probably isn't your number one priority (well, it certainly isn't mine) because there is nothing worse than doing exercise when you can't breathe. But when your feeling yourself again there is nothing a little walk or stroll down the road or into town can't cure; the fresh air does you a world of good.  

Organising my life 
You might be wondering how this helps me to unwind, well in my eyes there is nothing better than a good to-do list to get your life organised and for me it helps to reduce stress because you know what you've got to do and I feel more productive for it. Don't get me wrong, I love having lazy weekends as much as the next person but I also love being on the go and get things done too. 

Until the next time my cold fights back and 'me time' needs scheduling, Au Revoir! 
Love, 
Lauren xo