Rank your top three ways to de-stress after a rough day — and tell me which one always works best.

A natural way to answer

My top three would be a walk, cooking something nice, and reading in bed. They all help, but cooking is the one that really lets me switch gears — focusing on the food stops me from going over the day in my mind.

Key phrases to use

• washes the day off — (of a shower or bath) makes you feel you've left the day's stress behind“A hot shower washes the day off me.”
• switch gears — to change from one kind of activity or mindset to another“Cooking helps me switch gears after work.”
• let it all go — to release all your tension or worry“In the bath I just let it all go.”
• beats — is better than (something else)“Nothing beats a quiet evening at home.”