15 Tricks to Instantly Reduce Stress at Home

Getting less than seven to eight hours of sleep a night can actually induce anxiety, with many studies indicating that most of us would experience less stress at home if we simply got an extra hour (or 90 minutes) of sleep. By allowing our bodies and brains the extra time to recharge, you’ll wake up feeling refreshed and less stressed. Find some decor inspiration with these rejuvenating zen bedrooms that will help you de-stress.

There’s the old adage “you are what you eat” and it’s certainly the case when it comes to experiencing stress. Eating high-carb, sugary processed foods such as refined grains and junk food can heighten your emotional highs and lows, leading to enhanced feelings of stress. Adopting a healthier diet at home – protein such as chicken, fish or grass-fed beef accompanied by low-starch vegetables – will leave you feeling more stable and less stressed. Get the recipe for this epic kale winter salad.

Thanks to the pervasiveness of smartphones, we’re constantly receiving emails, texts, news alerts and social media reactions, which are certainly not going to make us feel less stressed when we get home, as the work day merges into our much-needed R&R time. A great way to reduce that stress is to simply to unplug – close the laptop, turn off (or silence) the phone and pick up a book. Spending even one hour entirely tech-free will go a long way to lowering your stress level while at home.

As the saying goes, “music has charms to soothe the savage breast” and that’s actually more true that we’ve ever realized. In fact, music can calm us down when we’re stressed – as can singing along to a favourite song. Classical music, in particular, has been found to lower stress levels. Carve out some space for an audio room in your abode – it also happens to be one of the top home decor trends for 2020, according to Pinterest.

When you’re feeling stressed at home, try smelling some calming essential oils such as basil, anise and chamomile, which helps reduce tension and increase mental clarity. Lighting an aromatherapy candle or diffuser can also evoke a similar effect. Find more expert tips for transforming your home into a stress-free sanctuary.

When your mind is spinning in circles and dwelling on a particular issue, your stress levels rise. Take a time-out and give your mind a break by turning to some “mindless” household chores, such as vacuuming, folding laundry or wiping down kitchen counters. Studies have indicated that focusing on the simple task at hand will relieve some of your tension while also providing you with a cleaner house.

Related: 12 Ways You Can Organize Your Kitchen Like Marie Kondo

Speaking of chores, clutter in the home bombards us with stimuli – and not the positive kind – making it difficult to relax, both mentally and physically. And no surprise here, mess creates stress. Keeping your home neat and tidy will result in the reduction of anxiety. So get organizing those shelves and cupboards that you’ve neglected for years. For inspiration, check out these things healthy, happy people don’t keep in their homes.

A positive way to tackle stress at home is to head out into the backyard and do some gardening. In fact, research has found that gardening can actually lower the body’s production of the stress hormone cortisol. As a bonus, not only will be you less on edge, you’ll also have a gorgeous garden to show for it. Living in Canada, however, can hinder your green thumb during the colder months. But you can still de-stress with these indoor and outdoor plants that will flower in the winter.

It’s possible that your home’s decor or colour palette is contributing to your stress rather than reducing it. If that’s the case, add more calming elements to your home, including soft colours such as blue and soft neutrals or some houseplants. It might also help to reduce or eliminate any harsh lighting. You might glean some ideas from these gorgeous living rooms we want to curl up in.

It’s important to have a special place within your home where you can retreat for a little “you” time away from others in order to decompress and settle down. This doesn’t necessarily need to be a dedicated personal space – it could be something as simple as a cozy recliner in a den or study or a lounge chair in the backyard on a sunny day – anything that helps quiet your mind and reduce stress.

Stress is often caused by uncertainty and a proactive way to reduce stress would be to prepare for the following day. Planning tomorrow today, reveals one study, can help to minimize stress and potentially prevent it from occurring in the first place.

Lighting some candles or burning incense can be a great at-home stress-buster, encouraging you to focus on the flickering flame, breathe in the scents and completely tune out the rest of the world. You can also look into using more bedroom plants to help you unwind and get a better sleep.

One of the easiest ways to combat stress and anxiety is to put on your shoes, head outdoors and go for a brisk walk. Studies have shown that taking a stroll – especially in a natural setting such as a park or forested area – can be a powerful stress-buster. Lousy weather? Bring the outdoors inside with these easy-to-care-for indoor plants that go beyond succulents.

The simple act of stroking a cat or petting a dog is a major de-stresser. That’s because your happy pet releases “feel-good endorphins” that help reduce your heart rate and make you feel calmer as well. If you don’t have a pet of your own, reach out to a friend and see if you can swing by their place for a little visit with some of their furry companions.

A thoroughly enjoyable (although admittedly not always practical) way to beat stress is to head to the bedroom with your partner and get busy. And while it’s not exactly breaking news that sex can help reduce stress, there’s actually a scientific reason for why that is. A study found that regular intercourse for two weeks can lead to cell growth in the hippocampus, the area of the brain that regulates stress levels.

Related: 15 Plants That’ll Help With Stress, Anxiety and Depression