What I’ve heard from hundreds of female executives is that it can feel impossible to unwind after a typical day. Does this sound like a day in your life after the conference calls, team meetings, and critical decision making has ended? To begin the wind down process you sink into the couch, scroll through social media, turn on your favorite show, or even pour yourself a glass of wine. You tell yourself that you are relaxing, yet, you still feel stress, drained, tense, or like your mind is spinning.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. The truth is, not everything that seems relaxing actually reduces stress. Some of your daily habits are likely keeping your nervous system on high alert without you even realizing it. Let’s debunk 4 common relaxation myths and get clear on what really works to calm your body and mind.
Myth #1: Scrolling Social Media Helps You Unwind
The Truth: Mindless scrolling feels like a break, but it bombards your brain with information, comparisons, and blue light that can interfere with sleep. Instead of relaxing you, it can leave you feeling more anxious or overstimulated.
💡 A Better Approach: Set a “tech-free” wind-down period before bed. Instead of scrolling, try reading, journaling, or listening to calming music. If you must be on your phone, use blue-light filters and avoid stressful content.
Myth #2: Binge-Watching TV is the Ultimate Relaxation
The Truth: While it’s fun to get lost in a show, binge-watching keeps your brain engaged, especially if you’re watching intense or dramatic content. Plus, late-night screen exposure can disrupt melatonin production, making quality sleep harder to get.
💡 A Better Approach: Be intentional about screen time. Try limiting TV to one or two episodes and incorporating movement—like stretching or neck and shoulder rolling—while watching. Also, dim the lights in the evening to signal to your body that it’s time to unwind.
Myth #3: A Glass of Wine Helps You Relax
The Truth: Alcohol may temporarily relax you, but it is shown to disrupt the sleep cycle and can increase anxiety the next day. Over time, alcohol can make stress harder to manage.
💡 A Better Approach: If you enjoy an evening beverage, swap alcohol for herbal tea like chamomile or lemon balm. Pair it with deep breathing or a gratitude practice for a true stress reset.
Myth #4: Venting Always Relieves Stress
The Truth: Talking through challenges can be helpful. However, constantly replaying the same stressful or emotionally charged scenario can keep your mind stuck in a negative loop. This loop reinforces stress rather than relieves it.
💡 A Better Approach: Shift from venting to action. After expressing your feelings, ask yourself: What’s one thing I can do to improve this situation? Journaling, reframing your perspective, or practicing mindfulness can help you process emotions in a healthier way.
Myth #5: Vacation is the Best Way to Relieve Stress
The Truth: A getaway might provide a temporary escape, but if daily stress habits aren’t addressed, the relief is short-lived. Many people return from vacation feeling just as overwhelmed as before they left.
💡 A Better Approach: Instead of waiting for a vacation to relax, build stress-relief moments into your daily routine. Deep breathing, a short walk, laughter, and connecting with loved ones can create lasting stress resilience.
If you’ve been wondering why you still feel stressed even while you’re trying to relax, it may be time to rethink your approach. Relaxation isn’t just about taking your mind off your daily responsibilities. It’s also about actively supporting your nervous system each day.
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