Bad day gone worse? Even when you start your day with a smile, you find yourself stuck in traffic, listening to the same song on the radio and counting the minutes until you get back to the apartment to crash on your comfy bed. That doesn’t do anything for your psyche and nothing to trigger those feel-good endorphins.

Here’s your evening itinerary...

• Instead of hitting the hay, pour yourself a glass of water. “Studies have shown that being just half a liter dehydrated can increase your cortisol levels,” says Amanda Carlson, RD, director of performance nutrition at Athletes’ Performance, a trainer of world-class athletes.” (via WebMD) It’s a simple way to unwind from a stressful day.

• Instead of heading back to the apartment, get yourself to the fitness facility on site which is open 24 hours in most Camden communities. Pack a bag with a set of gym clothes. Leave it in your trunk so you don’t forget. The benefits of physical activity include boosting your mood, improving your cardiovascular and reducing your risk for heart disease and metabolic disorders like diabetes.

• Instead of turning on the tv, draw yourself a hot bath. Add some Epsom salts with eucalyptus to help you relax. Pour a cup of Epsom salts to help relieve sore muscles, improve sleep, decrease bloating, and help detox. Play some relaxing music while you’re at it and watch the stress melt away.

• Instead of eating last night’s leftovers, eating the right foods can help combat stress. Stress can take a toll on our immune system, so it is important to eat well with the right foods. This includes snacking on pistachios to replenish our stores of B vitamins and potassium to keep our neurotransmitters in our happy place (via Eating Well). Mood-boosting foods include oily fish like salmon (for its omega-3s and DHA), leafy greens like spinach to control cortisol levels (stress hormone), complex carbs (trigger serotonin) such as oatmeal, and dessert treats like dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa.

• Instead of scrolling through your Facebook or Instagram wall, call up a friend and chat for a few minutes. Sometimes all you need to do is talk it out to relieve yourself of the stresses for the day. Just be careful not to sound too whiny. The conversation should help you create a solution and possibly avoid a stressful tomorrow.

• Instead of leaving your dog to wee on the patio, take a moment to give him some TLC. This includes giving your dog a walk and exploring new trails together. Perhaps your pup needs a good bath too? They may fight you tooth and nail, but dogs also enjoy being clean. I know mine gets super relaxed after his baths. He also barks less because he’s relaxed and I’m sure that’s good neighbor etiquette.

Now that you’ve ended your day with a few ways to relax, here are some great ways to start your day off with a smile tomorrow.