wind down

verb

1. To lower by winding, as with a crank or windlass.

   “Wind down the car window if you want to talk to me.”

2. To unwind.

   “You'd better wind down that wind-up toy before you take it apart, or pieces might go flying.”

3. To shut down slowly (by degrees or in phases).

   “A program as complex as the Space Shuttle program takes some time to wind down.”

   “As a result, Bowman admitted, Sellafield’s scientists are having to invent, mid-marathon, the process of winding the site down – and they’re finding that they still don’t know enough about it.”

4. To slow, as if coming to an end; to become calmer or less busy.

   “The festival seems to be winding down now.”

5. To relax; to get rid of stress; to destress.

   “After a long day at work, she winds down by kickboxing.”