Relax Less Than You Want to Relieve Stress.
It can be difficult to relax without a lot of stress. Relaxing too much can make you stressed or anxious about something you are not working on. Instead, relax a little less than you originally planned – just enough to recharge, but not so much that your worries about work or other things creep into your head.
For example, if you were planning to take an entire day off, close the break early and set aside an hour or two to get a head start on your job or side project. Your mind will be relaxed knowing that you are at the top of your job, or that you are crossing something good off your to-do list. On the following days, you will be able to relax more while working. You will also be more happy to unwind again as you do not have to wait that long when you return …
This does not mean that you should never take long breaks. Sometimes you need a yoga retreat to, for example, achieve something that a couple of hours of yoga can’t do. But if you’re going to hit the marathon of your favorite TV show, consider stopping after two or three episodes. Stress relief comes with limited doses of relaxation.
Reduce stress in two minutes a day | Harvard Business Review