5 Ways to Create a Relaxing and Stress-Free Household

Transforming your home into a relaxing haven can be easy when you mind your senses. Here are a few tips to help you create a relaxing and stress-free household.

Image via Flickr by Jeremy Levine Design

Keep Zen in Sight

Simplify the scheme to create your own Zen Den. Remove excess décor, tchotchkes, and patterns ( sorry, Grandma) and bring in soothing, calming colors. If you want to paint more than one room, consider using different depths of the same color to create a peaceful progression.

Meditation Bells Are Ringing

The sounds around us impact our stress levels — whether we perceive them or not. For example, the barely-perceptible hum of resting electronics or the clatter of an AC unit in need of repair can affect us. Remember to unplug or power down electronics at night and schedule maintenance for noisy appliances. Both simple steps help you save energy for a more efficient and eco-friendly household. However, if creating less noise isn’t an option for your home, add a sound machine for white noise or nature sounds.

Ar-OM-a Therapy

Just like unnoted sounds, the way your home smells can energize or deplete you. The trouble is, you may be nose blind to bad smells. Enlist the help of a friend and clean out the refrigerator, disposer, and any other obvious offenders. Then, change the air filter in your home — it may harbor scents from parties past. Finally, add houseplants or other consciously chosen scents — like a lavender oil diffuser or lemon soy candle. A combination of welcoming elements creates a soothing scheme if you can keep them in similar scent families. Pro Tip: If you’re worried about smells like mold or mildew in your home, schedule a professional evaluation. The fix may be as simple as a maintenance call for your heater or air conditioner.

Feels Like Heaven on Earth

Touch is more than just a soft and cozy blanket and the company of your favorite furry friend,  but on a stressful day, that help, too! Soothe your senses by maintaining a comfortable temperature throughout your home. A tip: Routine HVAC maintenance can help you create a space that’s right for you, since a home that’s too hot or cold agitates the senses. You’ll stress less with comforting ambient air.

Sip, Sip, Serenity

People sip herbal teas for good reason. The warmth and herbs combine to soothe your senses and reduce stress. Plus, sipping tea in your favorite nook creates positive associations and allows more happy feelings to flood in the next time you’re in the same space. There are several different types to try, including blends. So, pay a visit to your local grocer or fire up your Amazon Prime. Relaxation is signed, sealed, and delivered with these tasty treats.

When creating a soothing space that lets you separate from the stresses of your day, remember to mind your senses. See your line of sight with fresh eyes; observe the sounds and scents that occupy your space; mind your physical surroundings and temperature; and, finally, reach for delectable herbal remedies. Welcome, Om!