What used to be the source of comfort for many of us has slowly turned into a breeding ground for stress and anxiety. For those of us who have grown used to living in a fast-paced world where we follow routines, having them disrupted out of nowhere and being forced to stay home may feel like being under house arrest. How do we get back a sense of normalcy and find comfort in our homes again?
Here are a few ways to transform your space into a sanctuary for your peace of mind:
Dedicate a Space for Relaxation
Finding your own space to relax when you’re overwhelmed can be difficult if you have a family or live with other people, but it’s not impossible! It doesn’t have to be a big space; it can be your office, bedroom, a spare room in the house, a nook, or even a chair. Bring things that make you happy into your relaxation zone, like a book and a cup of tea, and maybe put up a sign to let the people in the house know not to bother you.
No matter how little time you spend in your relaxation zone, it can help reduce the symptoms of stress, and who doesn’t want a little bit of “me time”?
Organize Your Things
Mess causes stress. When your things are disorganized, you get distracted, and you end up not only decreasing productivity but also stressing yourself out and even wasting your time. Organize everything; your clothes, work table, anything lying around the house that isn’t supposed to be there. If you have clothes you don’t use or were waiting to fit into, sell them! By doing this, you’ll be able to remove clutter from both your life and your mind, and you’ll even bring in some extra cash!
Create a Routine for Yourself
With many things around us out of our control, not keeping a routine and doing anything at any time can encourage unhealthy thoughts. Don’t allow yourself to keep an idle mind, and create a list of chores you need to do every day. Do simple tasks like making your bed, watering the plants, washing the dishes, and other small tasks that can easily be achieved. You’ll have a better-looking house, and these small achievements will give you a sense of accomplishment that’ll set the mood for the rest of your day.
Take Care of Plants
Nature can make a positive impact on your mood, so adding some greenery both inside and outside your house can help keep your cortisol levels at bay. Suppose you want to go the extra mile and transform your backyard into a beautiful oasis. Whether you have a small yard or a large estate, proper landscape design is the key to achieving your dream garden. Once you have your garden, the next step is to maintain your plants, trees, and flowers. While taking care of these can be an intimidating experience, the payoff is worth it! With a little research and a proper daily routine to follow, your plants will eventually take care of you like you take care of them by improving the air circulation and overall aesthetic of your home.
Disconnect
We live in an era of technology, so you might find it hard to escape it, especially when you’re stuck at home, but being “on” all hours of the day is detrimental to us physically and psychologically. Social media can keep you connected with friends, co-workers, and current events, but spending long periods on these apps or even checking your work email too often can overwhelm you and eventually affect your mental health. It can also affect your sleep patterns, which can be another cause of stress.
Disconnecting will also help you achieve a work-life balance. Once work hours are over, distance yourself from any work-related technology and leave it for the next day. It also helps to set a time for yourself to disconnect from all your devices or turn off your phone an hour before you go to bed. This will save energy and help you calm down to prepare yourself for sleep.
Many factors can cause stress, and life can be very demanding. When many people are working from home and are also encouraged to stay indoors, it’s important to create an environment that can help reduce stress, and it’s up to you to do that. These small changes can make a big impact on your life and help you cope with the stress and anxiety that come with everything happening around us.