Your home is the most important place in your life. It?s where you return every day to hopefully seek relief from all the stress and pressures of the day.
Unfortunately many people have chaotic homes that add to their stress instead of reduce it.
Here are 7 fantastic tips from the therapists over at BetterHelp to help you create a stress-free environment in your home so you can unwind and recharge for the challenges of life.
1) De-Clutter
A huge number of people report being overwhelmed by the amount of clutter in their homes and that?s certainly not good for stress levels.
The amount of clutter and chaos in your home has a profound affect on how well you?re able to relax.
You need space to breathe and to think calming thoughts. That?s impossible if you?re constantly tripping over clutter.
The first thing you need to do is to clean things up. Put everything in a proper place and get rid of things you don?t need.
Have a garage sale or sell old items over the Internet on a site like Craigslist.
There are lots of resources online that can help you with this.
Don?t overlook any DIY projects and outstanding to-dos around the home either. Anything that?s not finished will constantly be in your mind every time you see it adding to your stress.
Take the time to finish those projects and any repairs.
Plus working with your hands has been shown to decrease stress and increase happiness which is another bonus.
2) Choose Relaxing Colors
Color impacts you on an emotional, psychological and even physical level. It can affect your mood, energy levels and even your body temperature and appetite.
Most experts agree that the best calming colors are greens, blues and lavenders. Soft colors such as whites and neutral tones can also be used to create feelings of rejuvenation.
Being around the color blue has also been scientifically shown to lower your heart rate and blood pressure.
Don?t forget though that your home still needs to reflect your own taste. If you hate blue then don?t paint your house that color just because someone said it was relaxing.
If you hate it then it?s just going to add to your stress every day when you look at it.
3) Remove Items Associated with Bad Memories
Previous memories and experiences are attached to objects all over your home. These include everything from furniture to decorations.
If your couch always reminds you of the time you had a big fight with your ex then it?s probably best to get rid of it an replace it with a new one.
Anything that reminds you of negative experience or bad times will drain your energy and increase your stress.
4) Add Positive Items and Decorations
Once you?ve removed anything with negative associations replace them with something positive.
These items can be anything from photographs of happy times to inspirational artwork.
Anything that improves your mood or makes you remember happy memories can work.
Artwork that transports you to another place and helps you unwind such as peaceful landscapes or clouds is another excellent touch.
Feel free to add a touch of decadence or luxury to your space as well if that helps improve your mood. You deserve it!
5) Bring Nature into Your Home
We can?t emphasize enough how good house plants are for your overall wellbeing.
Plants re-oxygenate the air and clean up pollutants making them super good for your physical body, but they also help immensely with your mental health as well.
Studies have shown time and again that plants have a calming effect.
Interacting with them reduces physiological and psychological stress and people who work with plants report feeling more comfortable and natural.
Even just one plant can make a huge difference.
You don?t have to stop with house plants either.
Bringing other natural elements into your home such as wooden bowls, stones, flowers, pinecones and even water can bring the calming effects of nature indoors.
One other thing you probably didn?t think about is getting a set of speakers and playing nature sounds such as running water, rain or bird songs.
It?s a simple thing but it?s super relaxing.
6) Create a Technology-Free Space
People today are way to connected to their phones, computers and work. Your home should be a technology-free space.
Create one designated place for items like your phone or laptop and don?t bring those things anywhere else.
Don?t bring work home but if you absolutely must then keep it in this designated technology-zone.
Once you leave this zone that?s it, forget about it and relax.
7) Don?t Forget about Lighting
Lighting is also super important. If you have bright buzzing fluorescent lights all over your home that?s not going to help your stress.
Add dimmer switches to the lights in your living room or bedroom to create a more relaxing atmosphere.
Try adding recessed lighting wherever you can as well. This not only looks great, but it has a calming touch on your d?cor as well.
Natural light is fantastic for your spirit. Do whatever you can to increase your natural light. Don?t block any windows and consider installing floor to ceiling curtains that you can open all the way for maximum light.
If you have any more tips for creating a stress-free environment with your interior design let us know in the comments!