A stressful day in the office can be mentally and physically taxing. Chaitrali Sardesai finds out how you can recharge your batteries to face the next day with a smile...

Life is not as simple as it used to be. With long working hours and rising pressure at the workplace, you can feel drained of all energy at the end of the day. Listening to your body will help you regain all that lost strength, making you feel like a completely new person. And there are many ways in which you can rejuvenate yourself...

Exercising is an excellent way to boost your energy levels and keep yourself active. For those who have a sedentary job, a good session of yoga or aerobics can rid you of all the fatigue and stiffness in the body. "I have been practising yoga for the last 15 years. It keeps me fit and I feel refreshed even after a hard day at work. I also do not feel as stressed out at work because of regular yoga and pranayam. I make it a point to exercise every day, no matter what time I return home from office," says Sushma Soman, director of an IT company.

Carrying pending work home is a major obstacle for relaxation. Keep work within the four walls of the office to lower stress levels. "I keep myself energised and happy by spending time with friends, watching a movie, going running or hill climbing, meditating, watching my fave TV shows or even cooking something fancy. There's really so much you can do to de-stress; you only have to take that step and do it," says Reshma Kane, a Deutsche Bank employee. But overdoing the socialising bit could leave you with very little 'me time'. Instead discover your hobbies and indulge in recreational activities like music lessons, art classes, baking, or anything that you would want to learn for fun. You could even curl up in a comfortable chair or sofa and immerse yourself in a good book. Doing things that you love will keep you in good spirits throughout the day.

Catching up on your sleep is another surefire way to forget work-related problems. Concurs Sakshi Ahuja, a working professional, "Nothing beats taking a power nap after coming back from office. It helps me relax after a tiring day at work. It recharges my batteries and helps me get on with other activities. This way, I get quality time to myself after work hours." Create the right environment in your bedroom so that you can fall asleep easily. It could even mean putting on soothing music or reading a light book, whichever works for you. Also, it's good to go to bed early sometimes.

Massages work wonders for those tight muscles and reduce the aches and pains in stiff areas. "I get a massage very regularly after office, especially on days when work is too demanding and stressful. It helps me feel light and energetic. I forget about all that happens in office when I step into a spa," shares Shruti Soni, a media professional. Scalp massaging is also an extremely soothing treatment. It calms the mind and lightens up one's mood. If you have a job wherein you are on your toes all day, try getting a foot massage. It will give your feet the much-required respite from soreness.

"We always call for pizzas, pastas, vada pavs and all sorts of feel-good food in office whenever we are in for a long day. This helps us beat stress and makes work more enjoyable. My team also goes out for regular lunches to maintain a stress-free atmosphere in office," says Anishaa Sahijwala, a media professional.

If going out with your colleagues is not possible, take a friend to your favourite restaurant and give yourself a treat by binging on your favourite food, on days when stress levels are high. Cooking a healthy meal would make your evening even better!

Mounting target pressures and difficult bosses can lead to stress at the workplace. But you can unwind in simple ways after tiring days in office. By doing so, you will also be able to give your best shot at work every day!