….with how you feel when you are at home.
So many of us have overstimulated lives filled with demands, deadlines, and unrealistic goals that leave us feeling overwhelmed and (as we would have said in the 80’s) “stressed to the max!”. This is why T.G.I.F. seems to be the most popular acronym to flood Facebook posts at the end of every week.
We seek peace and quiet from our busy lives at home but do we actually achieve it? With the constant barrage of a new set of home life stressors like schedules with busy kids, television, video games, social commitments, and the never-ending chore list, it’s a miracle that we even get a few minutes to relax and take the deep, cleansing breath that we crave by the time Friday rolls around.
So, how do we make a change? Where to we begin? Well, it all starts right at home. Our environment directly affects our emotions and stress levels. There are some things that you may want to consider adding to your home improvement goals this year that can help you calm the rooms of your house. These changes can quickly reduce your stress levels and you just might find yourself inspired to relax.
1. ORGANIZE: Do you have a room or space that is cluttered or has become a dumping ground for everything that doesn’t have its own place? You know, the spot that makes you cringe every time you look at it. All the cringes then turn into frustration that everything is a mess. If you can relate to this, you certainly are not alone.
The answer for these spots is simple….15 minutes. You’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish in 15 minutes. This is a concept that I first learned about on a great website created by Marla Cilley, AKA Fly Lady (www.flylady.com or www.flylady.net). Take a look at Fly Lady’s tips on how to eliminate these Hot Spots in your home.
Less clutter + less chaos = less stress.
Schedule a day or weekend to tackle that one big spot that has been driving you crazy. Purge what you don’t feel that you need anymore and determine a proper place for everything that is staying. This will immediately eliminate the stress of visual clutter taking up space in your brain.
2. BRING A BIT OF NATURE IN: Add some greenery to your rooms, living plants bring life to any space they inhabit. You don’t have to have a green thumb for this you know. There are plants out there for the floral inept that require little maintenance and can survive with limited amounts of water.
A few examples are: Spider Plants, Aloe, Jade and the Peace Lily. There are several online resources available in order to research but the best option is to visit your local garden center to get the information and plants that you need based on the type of lighting you have in your home.
Another approach is to pull in the sounds of nature. A bubbling water fountain can help you envision a babbling brook or you could try a CD/DVD that has soft music combined with the ebbs and flows of moving water or the melodies of songbirds. Songs with a rate of 60 beats per minute are ideal to create a soothing atmosphere. (These songs are often used by businesses that must place customers on hold – the calming of the music is said to help keep callers from becoming irritable).
3. GET THE ROYAL TREATMENT
Are you the King or Queen of your castle? Are you surrounded by luxurious items the way the Royal Family is?
You certainly can be. The selection of lush, textured fabrics and bedding is enormous these days and more affordable than ever. Imagine your bedroom looking like this:
Texture Rich Comfort
You can quickly get the warm & fuzzies by bringing in throw blankets and pillows that are covered in fabrics like chenille, velveteen, silk, sateen and fleece which are buttery soft and envelope you in warmth. Keep in mind that when buying sheets, the higher the thread count, the softer to the touch they will be.
Buttery Softness
Taking the time to remove physical clutter (that becomes mental clutter) along with adding soothing sensory items into your home can go a long way to improving your well-being. Set a goal within your home improvement list to include items and spaces that will encourage the relaxation, calm and serenity that you so richly deserve.
Do you have a cozy spot in your home that you and your family gravitate to? What about it makes it so appealing…color, furniture or accessories? Let us know…
Parker House Designs 