Every home is an absolute heaven as long as our stress levels are in control. Keeping the home environment stress free, calls for a setup that goes beyond the interior design, to one’s persona, likes & dislikes and most importantly, to the subject of self-care. The mood of a space connects our social, emotional and mental aspects that are best reflected by the things around us. It may be as small as a travel souvenir along the shelf that brings back memories or as large as a leather recliner by the corner of the living room that gives us comfort after a tiring day. Seeing more of our favourite pieces, creating a relaxing atmosphere and indulging in self-time takes us closer to the concept of stress free home. Especially, in such crucial time, when COVID-19 pandemic has struck the world, stress in lifestyle has increased. This article aims to guide you destress your home environment and create stress free home.
Secrets of Stress Free Home
Are you ready to unlock the secrets? Read ahead. Here are the top 7 secrets unlocked by us, to transform your home into stress free zone:
01. The Smell Of Goodness: Aromatherapy Nooks With Flower Vases, Diffusers And More
Creating an aromatherapy nook within the home helps in rejuvenating our senses after hours of hard work, especially during these work-from-home scenarios when the work-life balance is disturbed. Aromatherapy does the magic with the power of smell and touch that is amplified by various modern-day products such as diffusers, aromatic spritzers, inhalers etc. You can also re-bring the old way of filling fragrances with a scented candle, potpourri or a simple flower in a vase. There are also a range of traditional ways of inviting good scents like incense sticks or cones on a stand, flowers on an uruli and others that uplift our mood and improve our overall well-being.Every plant or flower has an aroma unique to its own. The best ones proven for aromatherapic benefits include:
- Sandalwood
- Sage
- Cinnamon
- Jasmine
- Lemon
- Lavender
- Basil, etc.
Note: Aromatherapy is only a therapy, not a cure, although, it can bring down the effect of bodily complications like nausea, body pains, anxiety, stress, depression.
02. A Moment Of Self-Reflection: Aesthetic Vanity With Lit Mirrors, Self-Care Products And More
Mirrors make the spaces surprisingly charming in many ways with a variety of styles and sizes-it can be a large wall statement by the dining table or a simple dresser tucked away in the bedrooms. It can reflect the aesthetic tone of the space amidst reflecting the actual reality we live in. There is a strong chance that you spend time before your mirrors on a daily basis-that is where vanity paves way for self-reflection and instils confidence.
For example, having a Hollywood or Bollywood-styled vanity can make you feel like a celebrity without question. Vanity mirrors are best suited for dressing rooms, bathrooms and other private spaces. With a combination of self-care elements like makeup products, skin care kits and more, the space becomes more suitable for self-reflection and peace. Since the pandemic has made self-care a priority, the simpler things like a bubble bath with a bomb or a manicure session becomes meaningful. These small and simpler things helps in creating a stress free home environment.You can also add a zen garden for mindful meditation, yoga mats for wellness activities, foot spa to pamper yourself, a scalp massager to de-stress or any particular self-care pattern of your own.While talking about mirrors, I just realized that we have already published inspiring mirror décor ideas for you, make sure to check out:
03. Doing What Makes Your Happy: Hobby Corners With Quirky Work Desks, Personalised Stationery And More
Hobbies encourage finding your inner-self at the comfort of your home. Pick a new hobby if you are looking to ignite your creative spirit. Bring in a playful work desk in quirky designs and fill it with personalised note books, customised planners, sketch pads, calligraphy kits, etc. To entertain your soul and to have a “me” time side by side, try discovering these hobbies:
- Learn needlecrafts like embroidery
- Try DIY like macrame crafts
- Play a new music instrument like guitar / flute
- Teach yourself a new language
- Foster an animal
- Make your own art collection
- Read a book
04. Growing ‘Health’ Pockets: Gardens With Medicinal Herbs, Stress-Reducing Plants And More
Viewing greenery for only five minutes can help reduce stress (van den Berg et al., 2015). Growing healthy greenery during stressful times is the most essential thing to do. Gardening is all about finding the right species and fulfilling your love for being a plant parent. Having a garden with medicinal herbs and stress-reducing plants will be beneficial in keeping our mental and physical health in balance. The must-have herbs or plants in stress free home include:
- Turmeric – a grandma’s remedy for several skin diseases
- Tea tree oil – a great medicine for acne, dandruff etc.
- Lavender – a perfect antidote for anxiety, stress, blood pressure etc.
- Aloe vera – an immediate cure for inflammatory diseases etc.
You can make the vibe stronger with sustainable décor like terracotta planters, rattan garden furniture, upcycled paper lamps and more.Here is our handy & go through guide for indoor plants:
05. Sitting At Your Own Comfort: Relaxing Furniture With Ergonomic Design, Breathable Upholstery And More
Work from home has taken our life into a roller coaster, still keeping us stuck to the chairs. Although it lets you work at the comfort of your home, you may not always be able to give your best while sitting in common furniture designed for homes. Working in ergonomically designed furniture like adjustable desks and swivel chairs will help in working for long hours, without feeling any strain.
On the other hand, furniture with fine upholstery give company to these work furniture as leisure products that bring relaxation during the afterhours. Good upholstery offers style, comfort and luxury to the space. It is all about the choice of fabric-pick a breathable cotton, linen or hemp textile to have a cozy yet healthful effect, ideal for the overworked people. Choose from numerous styles and patterns that are visually pleasing-try a dainty chintz or a neat plaid pattern on premium fabrics. Go for the one that suits your mood.
Before buying ergonomic furniture, make sure to measure yourself & if you are not aware why you should measure yourself then read our guide and maintain your body posture for the rest of your life:
06. Talking To The Walls: Interactive Colour Palettes With Cheerful Colours, Artworks And More
Nobody wants to stare at the bare walls. Fancy your walls with various wall decors, artworks, paintings, etc. Play with the colour palettes in your space to fulfil its desire to make it look cheerful and lively. Bring out the interior character from its walls. Give life to the freshly whitewashed surfaces by trying out different shades in colour families like pastels, neutrals etc. Try these ideas for transforming plain walls into a colourful canvas:
- Try colour theory–experiment different combinations like complementary, analogous and other colour themes. Shades of blue and green are the most pleasant themes (Valdez and Mehrabian, 1994).
- Hang oversized photographs–align it in a composition that commands attention in a small space.
- Add fun sconces–juxtapose colours and patterns in quirky lamps to light up your space.
- Frame the artworks–mix and match your favourite artworks like murals, paintings etc.
Choose the right combination of wall paints and decor to have a joyful, immersive experience and a stress free home.
07. Celebrating The People And Memories: Nostalgic Photo Frames With Name Signs And More
Celebrating our life’s experiences and memories with loved ones gives us immense happiness and delight. Capturing every single moment of it reflects on the mood of the space and the people who dwell in it. A space filled with all these captures rejuvenate our senses all day. A happy mood resulting from it is strong enough to kick away all the stress.
Try purchasing a journal and pin the memories to cherish the happy moments over and over. The photos captured during a family gathering or a tour with the friends can be framed with old vintage-style frames to have a beautiful remembrance. You can also line up your photos with string lights and clips to create a casual and amicable vibe. If you are not convinced, try dedicating the entire wall to your photos and other pieces of your memory to create memorabilia.
On the whole, your home should be the place where you can spend time without stress. Stress free home is the foundation of physical and mental well-being. It is where you can sit at peace, eat with gratification, work without exhausting yourself and sleep as if there is no tomorrow. Transform your home into a stress free home and experience this euphoria all by yourself! Try out these amazing ideas and let us know in the comments, the change in ambience of your home. Before you leave, checkout our articles:
How to Transform Your House into a Healthy Living Space?
Ways to Live More Sustainably in an Apartment!
10 Best Air Purifying Plants to Clean the Air in Your Homes!
Author Bio
Akshaya Muralikumar – I am a graduate Architect turned writer with innate affinity towards written expression. I thrive in the print-digital media intermix with my works ranging across Books, Magazines, Blogs, and Web content. Being a free-spirited creative mind, I value new opportunities.