You woke up early to fit a workout in before work and proceeded to work a 16-hour day. Your boss was in a bad mood, you scarfed down your lunch while responding to miscellaneous client requests, and tomorrow you have to do everything all over again. Let’s not mention that tomorrow includes all of that, plus a 5 p.m. meeting and a networking event after work, and hopefully dinner with your parents.

Sound familiar? Do you feel like you are a traveling magician, changing roles instantly to go from event to event? How do you manage? More importantly, how do you take care of your body and allow yourself time to “turn off?”

As young professionals rushing around to do everything and make it big in the world, sometimes all we want is a little bit of alone time to relax in our own quiet little apartments.

But where and when do we fit in time to relax? It is hard enough to keep a peaceful and neat one-bedroom apartment in order since it seems we only merely pass through at night to catch a few Z’s.

A few things to help keep your cozy apartment feeling like home, and feeling like somewhere where you can truly take a load off:

Keep candles around. I’ve found aromatherapy scents work great, as well as fresh, airy scents that make you feel like you are enjoying the outdoors.

Own a lamp. Sometimes overhead lights are just too much. Turn off the lights, switch on one lamp and kick your feet up.

Take 10 minutes. Sure, you have an even longer day ahead of you tomorrow and you want to get to bed ASAP, but take the time to clear your head. Sit down, breathe, and clear your head completely. You will thank yourself when you are trying to fall asleep, and when you wake up in the morning feeling refreshed.

Do one thing at a time. You’re at home now – it’s just you and the apartment (maybe a roommate and/or a pet, too), so don’t rush around. Do one thing at a time. Get any prep done for the morning, but don’t overdo it—if you can do it the morning, save it.

Turn it off. Literally, turn off those electronics. Your e-mails, text messages, and caller ID will still be there in the morning. Facebook and Twitter will still be up and running. I promise, you won’t miss a beat.

Reserve a spot other than your bed to relax. Relaxing does not always have to mean sleep. Allow yourself at least a few minutes a day to take a load off, take a few deep breaths, and clear your head in your favorite comfortable spot in your apartment. How about that big comfy chair that gives you the best feeling in the world every time you sit in it?

Those are just a few things that help me relax and keep me going with my sense of sanity still in tact. What do you do when you are on overload? What helps you relax and manage it all one step at a time?

Related posts:

1. Focus, Time Manage and Keep That Sanity of Yours
2. Escape In Your Home
3. Inspiration or Perspiration?
4. Jack of Trades, Master of None – Put Function In Your Apartment
5. Fit It In, Regardless of How Much Time You Have

Tags: Aromatherapy, busy life, calming, candles, comfort, electronics, facebook, relaxing, slow down, Stress, time, Twitter, unwind