Our homes fulfill our need and desire for a safe and calming place. Since we’re been spending more time in our homes doing everything from work to play, it’s become even more important to create a space that reduces our stress levels. With that in mind, here are a few small ways you can make your home feel more peaceful.
Get rid of clutter
Clutter is the enemy of peace. That’s why you may feel anxious when walking into a messy or disorganized room. Your home doesn’t have to be spotless (we’re not all Marie Kondo), but in a place where you’d feel perfectly fine if a surprise visitor dropped by. An easy way to achieve this is by putting things back where they belong. Give yourself 10 minutes at the end of the day straightening things up before going to bed.
Add more plants and fresh flowers
Living plants and flowers are a great way to create a calming environment. Surrounding yourself with nature can lower your stress levels and help you be more creative.
Increase natural light
Natural sunlight is an effective and simple way to boost your mood. While dark rooms can be cozy, being in darkened spaces can impact your mood. To counter that, soak in all the Vitamin D by bringing in as much natural light as possible. Open the blinds and curtains during the day. Lighter-weight fabrics like cotton and linen can provide cover and privacy while still letting some light through.
If your space is lacking access to natural light, use full-spectrum lighting to simulate natural daylight or spend some time outside each day (more on this later).
Try aromatherapy
Incorporate aromatherapy through essential oils, fragrance diffusers, or even scented candles. Scents like lavender, bergamot, lemongrass, and jasmine are common for their stress-reducing fragrances. Consider diffusing a calming scent in your room at night or lighting a scented candle during the day to help you unwind.
Designate a calm space
Choose an area in your home where you can just relax. Don’t do any work or bring any electronics in this area. This space is just for you to relax. Visit this calm space every day for at least 20 minutes. Thanks to the Pavlovian response, your body will soon equate that space with relaxation and you’ll start to feel more chill the moment you step into that space.
Reduce your digital time
Social media has provided an escape from the everyday but it can also be the source of our anxiety. Doom scrolling is a real thing! Give your eyes (and mind) a break instead of spending your time looking at your device. Take a walk, read a book, create something, meditate or do yoga, take a soothing bath, or bake some treats. Anything that keeps you from staring at another screen is a good thing.
Enhance your outdoor space
Being outside is healing; it can lower blood pressure and improve focus. Give yourself a break and step outside for a moment. Make your outdoor space a joy by adding some furniture and creating a backyard oasis of your own. Thankfully living in California means you get to enjoy your outdoor space year-round!
The outside world can drive us crazy but now your home can make you feel at ease. Hopefully, these tips will help you have more peaceful days at home.
Need a complete change in scenery? Discovery Homes can help. We build new home communities throughout the Bay Area. Visit us online at DiscoveryHomes.com to learn more about our communities, view virtual tours, and schedule an appointment.