Productive Activities When You’re Feeling Exhausted

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Do you ever have those days or weeks when you work late, are exhausted, and can’t muster the energy to do much of anything? If so, I am there with you. This has been me over the past few days. So, in all honesty, I’m writing this post because it’s exactly what I need too!

In this post I’ll be sharing 5 things that I am currently doing to feel productive, even on the busiest and most stressful of days.

Pamper Yourself

Until about a year ago, I always wanted to start using face masks. However, I’d just never get around to doing it. Can you relate? Is there something that you’ve been wanting to do for yourself but just never do?

I’ve found that for me, face masks and baths are great for nights when I’m feeling exhausted. Why? Because they’re good for both my body and mind. They relax me and it’s an easy win to check off the to do list.

Read or Listen to an Audiobook

One of the things that I hear most from you as blog readers is that you wish that you had more time to read. So, even if you can’t find the time to read daily, make it a go to activity for those nights when you’re feeling stressed.

Instead of reaching for your phone and scrolling through Instagram, try picking up a book instead.

Tip: We tend to do what’s easiest in life. So, if your tendency is to reach for your phone, put it in airplane mode or in a room that would take some effort to retrieve.

Here’s What I Do: After dinner, I intentionally leave my phone in the kitchen downstairs. Then, I head upstairs to work on the blog, read, watch a show, etc. Inevitably there will be a commercial or moment when I’m tempted to reach for my phone. However, if it’s all the way downstairs, it’s unlikely that I’ll make the effort to go retrieve it.

To sum up, if you find that your phone is preventing you from doing more important activities (spending time with family/friends, reading, exercise, etc) then do yourself a favor and put it in a place where you won’t be able to just reach for it.

If you haven’t tried it, Audible is a great way to get started with audiobooks! Click here to check it out! You can even get 2 free books when you sign up!

Try Some Bedtime Yoga

If I had to narrow it down to 3 things to do before bed, this would be one of them! You’ve probably already read about the million and ten reasons why you should try yoga so I won’t bore you with that. However, I WILL mention that I love doing yoga before bed because of two great benefits:

I always finish feeling more relaxed
It’s a small win or accomplishment

Even if it’s only 5 or 10 minutes, give it a try. Personally, I love Yoga with Adrienne on YouTube. The videos are free and are a variety of lengths. Two of my favorites for bedtime are:

7 Minute Bedtime Yoga

Yoga for Bedtime: 20 Minute Practice

Hand Wash Your Hand Wash Only Clothes

Have you ever bought something that was ‘hand wash only’ only to find that you never wear it because who has the time to hand wash clothes…believe me, I know. But, for those nights when you’re feeling worn out, this is actually perfect. It requires zero thinking and I’ve actually found that it’s a great way to relax and allow your mind to roam.

If you’ve ever heard about successful people who love doing the dishes, it’s a similar idea. You see, if you’re someone who is always going and doing, then taking time to simply relax and let your mind wander might seem strange, but it actually does wonders for your mental health.

Plus, it means that you can stop feeling guilty about overpaying for that shirt that you’ve only worn once.

Go on a Short (or long) Walk

This would be another one that would make my top 3 list. I try to make this my default as much as I can. This is especially important if you spend a lot of your day in front of a computer or other screen.

It’s hard to explain but there is something so refreshing about coming home after a walk, even if it’s just around the block. And, what’s interesting is that I often find myself able to solve problems that I’ve been pondering for hours or even just more motivated after going on a walk.

Also, if you can put your phone on airplane mode while walking, even better.