Stress isn’t just unpleasant, it can also be very unhealthy. It’s easy to suffer from the symptoms of stress when you work hard all day. Life has its ups and downs, but sometimes the downs can make you feel pretty down too. Escaping from those tough situations is important to give yourself a break.
Your home should be the one place where you can feel safe and secure. It should be your sanctuary away from all the things that bother you and all the stresses your feeling in life. Here are just 10 ways your home can serve you better as the perfect place to relieve your stress:
1. Sauna
Many Finnish homes have a sauna because it can be a very simple and easy way to wind down at the end of the day. The body is relieved of the toxins that build up from stress, diet, and the environment. Finnish people often see the sauna as a social activity, but you might prefer a one-person cabin for this activity.
Relax and detox in your own home sauna. Photo Credit
Saunas can be built into the house if you have appropriate space for it. A cupboard size is really all you need. Alternatively, place one in a private area of your backyard. There are times when a sauna might be harmful to your health, so check with your doctor if you have any medical conditions.
2. Bubbles
Bubbles are cleansing, invigorating, and relaxing all at once. You can add the therapeutic properties of bubbles to your daily life at home. Hot tubs are still a firm favorite for those that love having their muscles massaged and their skin cleansed of all the stresses of the day. Again, this might be a social activity for some, but you can enjoy a hot tub soak in a private corner of your backyard at any time. Even in winter, the warm water is sensuous and enjoyable.
Bubbles are fun as well as good for the skin. Photo Credit
An indoor alternative to a hot tub is a jacuzzi spa bath. These are special bathtubs that include several jets placed to massage your back, legs and feet with bubbles. It’s not advisable to add anything to the water when you use it. The jets can be a bit loud, but you can always play some music over the included Bluetooth speakers. Add some color therapy, and you can drift away into relaxation.
3. Seating
How you sit can make quite a difference to your physical and mental relaxation. Recliners are wonderful if you want to put your feet up at the end of the day. If you want to feel cozy and snuggly, you might prefer a bean bag sofa or chair like the ones at ComfySacks.com. These can feel like they’re embracing you as you sink into them with a good book.
Cuddle couches have made a comeback! If you have someone special waiting for you at home, these oversized sofas with extra squishy cushions can be perfect. You won’t ever want to get up! It’s important to choose seating that supports good posture, rather than a hunched or rounded back. Turn down the lights, and ease the night away.
4. Sleeping
Sleep is one of the best stress relievers there is. The trouble is, when you’re stressed, it’s very difficult to fall asleep! Your bedtime routine plays a huge part in preparing your mind and body for sleep. But your home has a big part to play too. Choose the bedroom with the least amount of noise from the street, the boiler, or any appliances that work through the night. Use blackout curtains, and turn the heat down. Now ease yourself into a high-quality memory foam bed for extra support. And close your eyes.
And sleep. Photo Credit
Ideally, you should be aiming for about seven and a half hours of uninterrupted slumber each night. This means you are going to have to go to bed early enough to fit that in. Once you’re in bed, don’t feel bothered by busy thoughts. Instead, write them down so you can deal with them in the morning. Choose soft pastel colors for your decor design in the bedroom. Ditch the TV and other electronic devices.
5. Flowers
It’s not just the indoors of your home that can help you to unwind. Your backyard or garden are the perfect place to find peace and tranquillity. Aim to plant for color all year round. Even the winter can be full of beautiful colors from flowers. Shrubs and bushes can offer dozens of shades of yellows and greens too. Don’t forget to plant lavender for a relaxing aroma to help you de-stress.
Fill your outdoor spaces with beautiful aromas and colors. Photo Credit
6. Water
The sound of water trickling, flowing, and bubbling, can be very soothing. Watching a cascading fountain can also be quite therapeutic. Indoor wall fountains or quaint garden water features can offer you everything you need to help you feel balanced and quiet again. You might need a qualified electrician to help you install one of these, but they’re sure to be a hit for all the family.
Swimming is one of the best exercises to help tone your body, boost your fitness, and reduce stress. If you have space out the back, why not invest in a pool? You will also need to invest in safety gates and railing if you have pets or children at home with you. Why not aim to make use of your pool every day?
7. Media
Music has been proven to have therapeutic properties. You might listen to music on your headphones, or blast it out through a hi-fi system. Making music can also soothe the soul. Learn to play a musical instrument. It can focus your mind, offer the perfect distraction for stressful thoughts, and even exercise the body.
What song touches you the most? Photo Credit
Making music uses more of your brain at once than any other activity. This is one of the reasons why so many people find it so therapeutic. Make loud, heavy music to express a bad mood. Soften the tone, and pull back the tempo to help you unwind.
8. Home Gym
Exercising, especially vigorous exercise, can reduce stress enormously. It can also help reverse the health damage that stress can cause. When we’re stressed, we tend to have a build up of adrenaline. This is really difficult to shake off and can stop you feeling comfortable enough for sleep. A good run or even a weight training session can drain that adrenaline away. Best of all, exercising releases ‘happy’ hormones. After about ten to twelve minutes of continuous exercise, you’ll be feeling much better.
A home gym doesn’t need to include much equipment at all. You might just have a workout mat, a few square meters of space, and a kettlebell. YouTube is one of the best places to find thousands of workout and exercise ideas. Using the internet often gives you access to images or video demonstrations to help you get the moves right safely. You might install Bluetooth speakers, a smart internet-connected TV, and an exercise bike. Use your garage or the spare bedroom to create the space you need to enjoy exercising at home.
9. Entertaining
Socializing is one of the best stress-busters there is. Humans need to be around other humans. While we might all enjoy a little alone time, it is better for our mental and emotional well-being to be in good company. Your home can help a lot here. Your dining room, patio area, and living room are all great spaces for entertaining. Why not aim to invite friends over a couple of times every week?
Invite friends for good food, good wine, and good conversation. Photo Credit
Dinner parties are great ways to bring several people into your home at once. This can create lots of variety in conversation and the group dynamic. This can all be very good for the brain! It can challenge you, and it can help you feel more supported by your network of friends. Talk, laugh, and even gossip a little – it’s all good for you. And if it’s done in the privacy of your home, there’s no harm in a little candidness and openness.
10. Share It
Whatever size your home might be, sharing it can be the perfect way to keep stress at bay. You might have a furry friend live with you. Do they have a room of their own for sleeping, or are you happy for them to bunk in with you? Petting our four-legged companions is very good for relieving stress. It lowers the heart rate, and can even release those ‘happy’ hormones that make us feel so good.
Purring cats are also thought to offer therapeutic services. It has been found that the purr might even help aid healing. Of course, a good cuddle with a partner or spouse can be just as beneficial. Sharing your home helps you to feel supported and cared for. And you’ll always have good company.
Our homes serve us in many ways. With a few tweaks and modifications, you might find it can serve as a great stress reliever too. What helps you to unwind at home?