A lot of people can’t avoid stress these days. Working, having a family and doing daily tasks can be hard on our mental health making us feel anxious, tense and burned out. Stress is a normal reaction to problems in life but too much of it cannot be good for your mental and physical health. There are many things you can do to deal with and lower your stress and many of them you can do from home.
Create A Calming Environment
Your surroundings have a big impact on how stressed you are. A cluttered and disorganized space can make you feel stressed and overwhelmed. Setting up a peaceful and relaxing space is one of the first things you can do to calm down at home.
Clear out your living space first. Messiness can come from having too much stuff even if it is just in your mind. Making small changes around the house like organizing your desk, putting away your laundry or moving things around in the living room can help your mood. A clean space makes you feel more organized which makes your mind more calm and at ease.
You can make your environment even better by adding things that make you feel good. A calm atmosphere can be made with soft lighting like warm lamps or candles. Relaxation can be helped by essential oils or scented candles that smell like lavender chamomile or sandalwood. Aromatherapy has been shown to lower stress, improve mood and even help people sleep better.
Mindfulness And Meditation Techniques
Being mindful and meditation are great ways to deal with stress. Being present in the present moment is at the heart of both practices. This can help you break the cycle of worrying and overthinking. Being mindful means not judging your thoughts, feelings or the things going on around you.
It makes you more aware of how you’re feeling right now which helps you deal with stress better. Focusing on your breath while sitting still is a simple way to practice mindfulness. Pay attention to every breath in and out and let your thoughts come and go without holding on to them. Anywhere is a good place to do this like while sitting on the couch or lying in bed.
Mindfulness goes one step further with meditation which gives you a structured way to calm your mind. Guided meditation is one of the easiest types of meditation to do. There are a lot of apps and videos online that will walk you through short simple sessions. Meditation lowers cortisol levels which lowers the stress hormone and makes you feel calm and relaxed.
Engage In Physical Activity
Working out is a great way to deal with stress and improve your mental health in general. Endorphins are the brain’s feel good chemicals. Being active can make you feel better and lower your stress and anxiety levels. Some easy exercises you can do at home are just as good for you as going to the gym.
As a combination of deep breathing meditation and physical movement yoga is a great way to relieve stress. Asanas like Child Pose, Downward Dog, and Savasana can help your body relax and let go of stress. A session that lasts only 10 to 20 minutes can make a big difference in how stressed you are.
Practice Creative Hobbies
One great way to relieve stress and clear your mind is to do something creative. You can express your emotions through creativity which can help you let go of negative emotions.
You could start a new hobby like knitting, painting , drawing or crafting. You can take a mental break and get lost in something fun and relaxing while doing these things. Making things can help you relax and feel less anxious and you don’t have to be an artist to do it.
Writing in a journal is another relaxing hobby. Writing down your feelings and thoughts can help you deal with them, make sense of them and feel less stressed. Whether you like to write about anything or keep a gratitude journal, writing is a great way to clear your mind and think about the things that have happened.
Disconnect From Digital Stress
In this day and age we are always linked to screens. Tech can be useful but it can also make things more stressful. Social media news updates and constant alerts can make you feel like you have too much information which can make you anxious and antsy.
Getting away from technology for a while can be very good for your mental health. Limit your screen time or set times to check your email and social media in order to set limits on your digital use. You could make it a rule that no screens are allowed during meals or right before bed to make time to relax.
Relaxing Aromatherapy And Bathing
Aromatherapy helps you relax and feel less stressed in a natural way. Lavender chamomile and bergamot are some of the essential oils that can assist soothe the mind and body. Essential oils can help relieve stress and anxiety when diffused in the home or put on the skin mixed with a carrier oil.
Taking a warm bath is another way to relax. Warm water helps loosen up muscles and peace gives you a chance to relax. You can make it even more relaxing by counting Epsom salts or rare drops of your favorite essential oils. Not only does taking a bath help relieve stress but it can also be a time to be mindful and think.
Sleep And Rest For Stress Relief
Getting enough sleep and rest is one of the best ways to deal with stress. Not getting enough sleep can make you feel more stressed, make it harder to think clearly and make you feel bad emotionally. Putting good sleep hygiene first is an important part of dealing with stress.
Every day I go to bed and wake up at the same time to set a regular sleep schedule. Set up a relaxing routine before bed like reading, listening to soothing music or doing deep breathing exercises. Blue light can wake you up so don’t use a screen for at least an hour before bed.
Conclusion
You will always be stressed but it doesn’t have to run your life. You can relax your mind and feel less stressed from the comfort of your own home by using these easy to do techniques. Some ways to find relief are to make your environment calm, practice mindfulness and meditation, get some exercise and make time for creative expression.
