Stress – we can’t escape, it but we can find ways to manage the problem. One way of doing this is to relax at home, perhaps unwinding with a lovely soak in the bath or by playing fun games with our family. But what happens when your home adds to your stress? Your supposed haven of peace and respite from the outside world might actually be doing you more harm than good.
In this article, we will examine some of the reasons why our home can be responsible for adding to our stress rather than reducing it. To help yourself de-stress then, take note of the following if any of them relate to your life.
#1: Your home is falling apart
Is water dripping through the roof? Are there pesky drafts seeping in through doors and windows? Are there signs of structural damage? While your home might not be falling apart, despite our sub-header, there may be prevailing issues that need fixing before matters get any worse. Sure, there will be an expense in putting things right, but surely this is better than any bigger expenses that will hit you down the line if you don’t get on top your home maintenance problems. And besides, repairing your home might also repair your stress levels! Research homeowner loan rates, and then fix or replace anything that is causing you grief. You will then be able to relax at home without any niggling drafts or water leakage getting in the way of your comfort.
#2: Your home is messy and cluttered
A tidy house is a tidy mind, right? But if your home is on the messier side, then it’s understandable that your mind might be a little frazzled. And when we’re talking about the mess, we aren’t just talking about the kid’s toys all over the living room, or the dishes piling up in the sink. We are also talking about the household objects that don’t look ordered in your home, possibly because they don’t really fit into your property. So, there are a number of things you need to do if you want to bring order to your mind as well as your home. Firstly, have a clear up. Sorry to say it, but those dishes aren’t going to wash! Secondly, add more storage to your messier rooms, as this will make clean-up a doddle. And finally, have a good clear out of your stuff. If something doesn’t add anything to your life, get rid of it. You might also want to learn a few decluttering lessons from tidy-up guru, Marie Kondo. Read the linked article and then watch her show on Netflix for some expert tips.
#3: You work from home
If you work from home as standard, then so be it. However, if you are regularly bringing work home with you from the office, or if you are spending longer in your home office than you should, then you are going to feel more stressed in your life. As humans, we need to live a balanced life, mixing work with rest and fun, because we will only become burned out otherwise. Therefore, have a cut-off time for work-related activities, and this includes checking your work emails and discussing work topics with your partner, as you need to take time to unwind and think about other things. Watch a movie, go for a walk with the family, play games, and take time out to have that relaxing soak in the bath we mentioned earlier. You will feel less mentally frazzled, we promise.
#4: You aren’t sleeping well
You might not be sleeping well because of the stress you already feel. But on the other hand, there may be other reasons why you aren’t sleeping well, and that will have an effect on your mood when you wake up in the morning. You might suffer from that early morning grump for starters, and because of your tiredness, you will also be more prone to stress throughout the day. So, what should you do about the problem? For starters, you need to get into a decent bedtime routine. Cut down on the coffee and Netflix binge-watching an hour before you go to bed, as both caffeine and the bright lights from the TV can mess with your sleep pattern. Read a book instead, or listen to music, perhaps doing both from that relaxing bath we seem to be mentioned rather a lot in this article. You might also want to write in a journal before you hit the pillow, getting the stressful thoughts out of your head and onto the page. You might ease your troubled mind this way. Check out these other reasons for not sleeping well, and then follow the suggestions within the article to help you drift off to La-La Land sooner when you settle down for the night.
So, when it comes to your high-stress levels, have we hit the proverbial nail on the head? If so, perhaps now is the time to rectify the situation. Your home should be a place of rest and calm, and not stress and anxiety, so follow our suggestions to improve the state of your mental health.
Take care, and thanks for reading!
