According to reports by the American Institute of Stress, roughly 80% of workers believe they suffer from job-related stress.
Yet work isn’t the only cause of stress.
People experience stress in many forms.
Financial responsibilities, family obligations, and health issues are just a few typical stresses that people face today.
Research has shown that chronic stress can negatively affect both mental and physical health. However, there are many effective ways to deal with life’s continual stresses.
One way is to transform your home into a stress-free sanctuary, a place where you can rejuvenate and heal from the stress you cope with on the job or in other aspects of your life. The following tips are just a few ways you can enhance your home environment with stress-reducing elements.
Clear Out The Clutter
Your home could feel oppressive when weighted down by too much stuff. By eliminating clutter and adopting an effective storage system that allows you to manage and organize your belongings, you may find that your space becomes more airy and, ultimate, more relaxing.
Sitting within a room filled with clutter can be a subtle stress in itself, a nagging reminder of the housework that’s waiting for you after a long day of work. By ridding yourself of unnecessary items and installing a good organization system, you’ll be able to better manage the clutter in your home.
Natural Light
Researchers have long determined that natural light has a positive effect on your brain by helping to boost the production of serotonin, which are feel-good neurotransmitters that can be depleted when you are under stress or facing a bout of winter blues.
While you may not be in a position to add banks of new windows to your home, consider altering your window treatments to allow more natural light to seep into your space. If you do find your moods altered for the worse during the cold season, consider sitting beside a sun lamp for a period of time to ensure that you’re getting the night your body needs.
Botanical Bliss
There is a wide variety of indoor plants that can dramatically improve the air quality of your home. Breathing easier can definitely enhance a stress-free environment. Of course, plants will also bring a touch of the outdoors into your interior, which can positively affect your sanctuary.
If you don’t have a green thumb, consider beginning with a few low-maintenance plants to build your confidence. Once you discover the beauty that plants can add to your space, you may be inspired to improve your gardening skills.
Unplug
Technology definitely has its benefits, but your mind needs to unplug often to experience some calm, to hear itself think. You may want to contain technology to one room of your home in order to minimize its influence.
On the other hand, you can also set aside time each day to unplug and experience some peace and quiet around your home. You can enjoy this Zen-like atmosphere each day in order to combat the stressful noises of the news, social media, and television that can intrude upon your peaceful sanctuary.
Home Spa
Many homeowners are adding spa features to their bathrooms in order to mimic the spa effect that they may find at their gyms or health spas. From steam showers to whirlpool baths, various features can enhance your relaxation time.
On the other hand, if you aren’t ready to exchange your bathroom fixtures just yet, consider adding a few simple improvements such as an uber soft bathroom rug, a new print to hang on the wall, or a fresh coat of paint. In fact, simply enacting these household changes on your own can be a form of stress management.
Decorate For You–Not Company
If a pile of books beside your bed spells comfort for you, be sure to include them in your sanctuary plan. Each of us has our own idea of calm. When you decorate your home to enhance your personal aesthetic, you’ll likely find that your setting will prove to be the calming abode you’re after.
Choose artwork and color schemes that make you feel happy and cozy. From soft fabrics to calming colors, you can achieve an attractive setting that can become your favorite place to be.
Stress may be impossible to completely eliminate from our lives, but we can decrease its impact in many ways. By striving to create a personal sanctuary in your home, you can surround yourself with a setting that minimizes stress so that your mind and body can find relief from the damage it can cause.
The fact is, chronic stress is unhealthy. It’s important for us to learn to find ways to reduce the stress we feel. Carving out an oasis at home is one way you can kick stress out of your life.
