Many people discover it can be very difficult to calm down after a particularly stressful day at work or home. The same nervous energy or adrenaline rush which may help a person get through his or her daily routine unscathed often works against them when it is time to relax. The rest of the day could still feel like a frenetic jumble of dinner preparation, restless children, loud television programs and finally bedtime. Even getting a good night's rest can feel impossible without the ability to become calm.
Different people may find different ways to reduce their nervous energy level and unwind. One tactic would be to create a space between one's workday and home life. It can be difficult to decompress from the stresses of work and calm down before facing the new challenges at home. Spending a little downtime at a library or coffee shop or other quiet venue can help people become calm and regroup before facing the rest of their day. Just spending a few quiet moments listening to the car radio or a favorite CD before driving home could help some people calm down after a stressful day.
Some people believe that exercise can help them release pent-up nervous energy and frustration, so running a few laps around a track or walking around the neighborhood may help you calm down. Liberal use of a punching bag or other tension-absorbing activity can also have a calming effect on certain people, especially when accompanied by visualization exercises. It is perfectly normal to become mentally or physically agitated after a long "fight or flight" adrenaline-raising experience, so constructive exercise or physical labor may help people relax.
The use of relaxation techniques such as focused meditation, yoga poses or religious prayer have also helped people calm down and rediscover their spiritual or emotional centers. Taking a few minutes to block out outside stresses and concentrate on one's inner self can help reduce stress and nervous energy levels. Under certain conditions, a person who experiences extended periods of stress or anxiety may find relief through personal counseling and/or prescription medications which reduce feelings of anxiety and nervousness.
Discussing your frustrations and concerns with trusted friends or family members may also help you calm down from a stressful experience. Holding in your emotions, especially anger and frustration, can make it even more difficult to relax. Once the problem or problems are put out on the table for discussion, they may not seem quite as insurmountable or hopeless. Blowing off steam after a stressful event is a common coping mechanism, as long as all parties are aware of the exercise and simply allow the speaker to vent. Letting go of the event which triggered the agitation in the first place may be the best first step towards resolving the tension and beginning to calm down at your own pace.
