Are you feeling more stressed than usual?
It’s hardly surprising! With a global pandemic causing chaos, jobs on the line, and financial problems hitting hard, there’s a boatload of reasons to feel stressed these days.
You’re not the only one suffering either. Indeed, the majority of Americans experience moderate to high stress. And, according to the same source, 44% of people feel like their stress-levels are increasing over time.
Let’s face it, with statistics like that ringing in our ears, we could all do with learning how to be more relaxed! After all, aside from being difficult in its own right, stress can have all sorts of nasty knock-on effects. Obesity, high blood pressure, and heart disease are just a few physical issues that are associated with rising stress levels.
Are you looking for ways to alleviate the stress in your life? Keep reading for 7 top tips for relaxing more at home.
- Practice Deep Breathing Exercises
Breathing exercises work wonders in terms of destressing.
Try it out for yourself! Stop for a second, make yourself comfortable, and take a few deep breathes—in through your nose and out through your mouth. Really focus on filling your lungs, staying present, and paying attention to how it makes you feel.
With any luck, you’ll experience a marked drop in stress and tension. There’s a huge range of breathing exercises out there. Our advice? Teach yourself one or two, practice them over time, and use them whenever you’re feeling stress starts to rise.
- Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a type of meditation that’s been used forever and a day in service of staying present and relieving stress.
In our chaotic world, it’s no wonder that more people than ever before are doing it! Mindfulness is all about non-judgmental awareness of the present moment. By focusing on something sensory (be it your breath or sounds in your environment), you stay rooted in the here-and-now.
You tune into the moment, allow thoughts to come and go, and never judge yourself for doing it ‘wrong’. A short 10 to 20-minute daily practice can make you feel calmer and more relaxed. Give it a try to see if it works for you!
- Relieve Physical Tension
Can you feel the tension in your muscles? Do what you can to push it from your body!
Of course, the breathing exercises and mindfulness we just mentioned will help. But you could take it a step further by investing in certain stress-relieving products and practices.
Everything from yoga classes to modern chair massage devices can make a positive difference. Weighted blankets for the bed, sun lamps, and oil diffusers are a few other products that might also come in handy.
- Unclutter Your Space
There’s nothing more stressful than a houseful of clutter. After all, when your external environment feels out of control, it’s far harder to feel calm on the inside.
Conversely, a clean, tidy, and clutter-free home lends itself to relaxation.
There’s no more junk to dodge or general disorganization to distract your mind. Everything’s clear, open, and spacious. Even better, there’s less chance of losing your valuables and embarking on a stressful search to find them!
- Buy Some Houseplants
Nature is well-known for its calming effects. You only have to be in the vicinity of green and open spaces to feel better! The natural world is just anathema to the stresses of daily life.
Your mind, body, and soul are all uplifted by being in and around it.
Unfortunately, though, immersing yourself in nature isn’t always possible. You might live in the heart of the city, miles from the nearest park, or have little spare time to explore nearby green spaces. Our suggestion?
Bring nature to you by buying some houseplants instead! You’d be amazed at how relaxing it can be to have lots of beautiful potted plants around. Bringing that touch of life into your house can rejuvenate you, lift your mood, and calm you down at the end of a long day.
- Repaint Your Home
Strangely enough, the colors inside your house can have an impact here as well. Why? Because different colors elicit varying emotional reactions in us.
Think about red, blue, and green. Most people associate red with heat, danger, and passion. Blue, on the other hand, feels tranquil and calm; green has a peaceful, positive quality to it.
Keep that in mind when trying to cultivate a relaxing home environment.
Look around at the colors on the walls. They might be modern, sleek, and aesthetically pleasing, yet doing a disservice in terms of the stress you’re feeling. Repainting in happier and more peaceful tones could make all the difference.
- Create a Comfy Bedroom
Your bedroom’s all-important here.
After all, it’s almost impossible to live a relaxed, stress-free existence when you sleep badly at night. You wake up irritable, unfocused, and desperate for a coffee to lift your spirits!
Take steps to make your bedroom conducive to a good night’s rest.
Upgrading your mattress, pillows, and sheets could be a good place to start. From there, consider install shutters/curtains that keep out the light. Finally, include colors (remember our previous point) that calm you down.
As an aside, you could also keep your bedroom a tech-free zone. There’s nothing like using a mobile well into the night to stop you sleeping! Avoiding caffeine before bed and exercising regularly should also improve the quality of your sleep.
Exactly How to Be More Relaxed at Home
Millions of Americans suffer from severe stress every day of their lives.
Unfortunately, without reprieve, those excess stress levels can have a whole range of negative implications. Left unchecked, physical and mental health are sure to suffer.
But there’s good news! There’s all manner of steps, tools, and strategies that can make a difference. Hopefully, this post has highlighted a few of the best ones and revealed exactly how to be more relaxed at home.
Would you like to read more articles like this one? Search ‘relaxation’ on the website now.