1. Be firm that when you leave work, you actually leave work!

Don’t be tempted to check your work emails at night. Unless it’s an emergency, whatever it is can wait a few hours until the morning.

2. Identify where you are wasting your free time.

Are you spending hours on television, or on social media every day to unwind? Minimize some of those routines–create a schedule and stick to it.

3. Make a list of the things that interest you instead.

Perhaps there are things you could do, like go to the gym, pick up a hobby, or learn a new language.

There are alternative techniques to unwind at home, like yoga or meditation, if leaving the house is not an option. Maybe you’ve always wanted to write or learn how to play the guitar. Or you may simply eat dinner with your loved ones while having a chat at the table rather than in front of the television.

4. Read more.

Reading is one of the best ways to de-stress. Find a book in a genre that appeals to you, you will be more motivated to get to the end.

5. Reward yourself.

Treat yourself occasionally to something small. You can occasionally treat yourself to a massage, theatre tickets, or whatever else you want to indulge on. And when possible, take more trips! The phrase “work hard, play hard” denotes earning something.