The last thing you want to do when you get home from a long day of work is to do more work. Some days are more stressful than others so make sure you try to unwind and relax a little before continuing with your evening routine. This might not be possible if you have kids so you might have to work it out with your spouse. You could take turns with the household responsibilities so one of you can have some alone time.

Try to isolate yourself from any distractions. The number one relaxation technique at home is a nice bubble bath. Even some men secretly enjoy taking bubble baths but won't admit that to their friends. This might not be ideal in the summer if you don't have air conditioning, but can be a cure all most of the time. There are many lines of bath products that are marketed to have a calming effect like lavender or chamomile. Bring your iPod or CD player with you and listen to your favorite or most relaxing music. This will also help to drown out noise and distraction. Stay in as long as you want even if that means adding more hot water time and time again.

Exercise might not be relaxing, but it is a great way to unwind and relieve stress. You can work out at home with some good music or with the television on. Yoga and Pilates are very relaxing and low-cardio. If you are at the gym, you might want to bring your iPod so the music will keep you from thinking about your stressful day. You might want to take your workout outdoors and enjoy the scenery. Go for a nice walk, run or bike ride and enjoy the weather and outdoors. Excercise can also give you a sense of accomplishment because you have done something good for your body to keep you healthy and looking great.

In addition to exercise you also want to pay special attention to your skin and nails. Make sure you exfoliate and moisturize regularly to keep your skin soft and refreshed. Give yourself a facial, manicure and pedicure. All of these things can make your feel better about yourself.

Heat up some leftovers or order a pizza and watch a good movie. Then cuddle up with your significant other. Comedies will definitely help you to unwind. Try to steer clear of dramas that are filled with sadness and tragedy. These will only make you feel worse if you've had a bad day.

Write a new hub on HubPages to express yourself about something that happened that day or anything else that inspires you. Expressing your thoughts and opinions can be a good stress release.

Treat yourself to something nice. This could be anything from food to an extravagant shopping spree, depending on what you need and what your budget is. Some people find shopping fun and relaxing, but don't do it if you are going to feel guilty later for spending money.

Spend time with friends and family. You could go see a movie, go out for a drink, a nice dinner, comedy club or to a special event. Anything that doesn't involve work can be relaxing. Don't limit yourself to going out only on the weekends. You should enjoy everyday regardless of where it falls in the lineup of the week.

Taking a nap can be really refreshing to let your body and mind relax. You can wake up with a clean slate, forget about the day's events and have a renewed energy to go about your evening plans. Be careful not to nap for too long because you might have difficulty falling asleep at bedtime.

Calling a friend and venting or just chatting can be fun and relaxing. Maintaining personal relationships is important in a person's overall well-being. Friends and family help to keep us grounded so that we might not get so caught up in the negative things at work and in life.

Reading a book, magazine or newspaper is also a common method of unwinding. Just like with movies, you may want to limit yourself to what you read because negative content could influence your mood.

Sit and relax with a beer or a nice glass of wine or go out for a drink. You could even take it in with you if you are going to relax in the tub. I wouldn't recommend this as a daily routine because I don't want to influence anyone to become an alcoholic. However, it can be a nice treat once or twice a week. If you don't drink alcoholic beverages, then make yourself a refreshing smoothie.

Many people swear by meditation and controlled breathing exercises to relax and relieve stress. I've never tried it, but it has been around for so long that it must work for some people. You could even try this while you are relaxing in the tub.

Many people find video games relaxing. These can include XBOX, Playstation, Wii, and computer games. You could play cards or board games with friends and/or family. Some games can really get out of control with laughter if you have the right people.

Relaxing doesn't mean you have to be alone. Spending time with your family can be relaxing enough if you are in a stable family environment. I find it very relaxing to just spend time with my family and laugh at the antics of my toddler-age niece and nephew.

Do anything that will make you smile. It would be impossible to list every option in this article so if you know of a different method that works for you, then definitely take advantage of it. I would love to hear your ideas so please feel free to list them in the comments section.