9 Ways to Create a Soothing Atmosphere in Your Home to Reduce Anxiety
Psychoneuroimmunology is the study of the effects of stress on our minds and bodies.
Heightened levels of anxiety interfere with the natural balance of the human stress and relaxation response. They disturb our endocrine and immune systems. Anxiety also impacts mood and ability to focus.
The human stress response is triggered by outside events that can, in turn, trigger traumatic memories.
But the environment also plays a big part. Particularly, the environment that should act as a refuge from danger. The environment where we spend many hours of every day. And at night, where we sleep.
Our home can be a true sanctuary from stress.
Below are just 9 ways create a soothing atmosphere in your home to reduce anxiety:
1. Define your needs
While there are some general principles for creating a soothing atmosphere, the most important questions are: what do you need? What does your family need?
Consider your specific circumstances. Do you have a busy job or are you a little bored? Do you prefer to invite people home or do you want to keep the space very private?
What are the best conditions for you and your loved ones to relax?
2. Create togetherness and privacy zones
The ‘open plan’ style of modern family homes creates larger, lighter spaces for interaction. But it can also create extra stress.
Noise pollution and lack of spaces to retreat can signal to your brain that you are unsafe. Anxiety is a natural response.
Try to create a good balance between common spaces for togetherness and private spaces for downtime without outside triggers.
Also, privacy is important for parents. Teenagers, too, need alone time to go through developmental steps. If your kids have to share a bedroom, create partitions to reduce sibling stress.
3. Colors and shapes
Different colors create different moods.
Create a soothing environment using a calming color scheme that allows your mind to unwind. Consult your family and allow them to create their own mini-environments. The freedom to choose and shape their surroundings can be very supportive and soothing to children and partners alike. If you have the budget to redecorate occasionally, do allow your kids to experiment through several phases of self-expression.
You can get many tips on soothing home design online or in your local bookshop.
4. Plants
Plants are living beings that nurture and soothe us just through their presence.
Gardening has been shown to be a very effective supportive treatment for anxiety and depression. But even a houseplant on a windowsill can exude a calming influence.
You could even include it in your mindfulness meditation. Plants know how to breathe, and they always live quietly in the present.
Many popular houseplants also look beautiful. Beauty validates our sense of a welcoming, well-ordered universe.
5. Pets
Although they are more demanding than plants, pets offer direct contact, affection, entertainment, and sensory input. Pets are often used to support lonely and elderly patients. They can support you, too.
6. Nurture and nutrition
The kitchen is sometimes overlooked in the creation of soothing designs. But the kitchen can be a major source of stress in a household.
Food can nurture us. It can support and calm our endocrine and immune systems. But the wrong food can increase anxiety.
A soothing home atmosphere includes the way food is prepared.
Who is cooking in your kitchen? Are you cooking and eating alone or together?
A nutritious family meal in a pleasant, safe and welcoming space can help resolve conflicts and give everyone a sense of belonging.
7. Healing spaces
Oprah Winfrey recently recommended the creation of ‘healing spaces’ in your home. If you don’t have a whole spare room, just find a corner where you can relax. Decorate it with your favorite personal objects and soothe yourself in a big soft chair, on your yoga mat or curled up with your dog or a good book.
8. Noise reduction
Wherever we go, we are surrounded by uninvited, and often unwelcome, noise. Noise pollution penetrates from the outside: traffic, neighbors, construction. And also from the inside: appliances, electronics, raised voices, music.
Use soft fabrics and noise reduction materials, re-think open plan living. Create a noise free area, at least in your bedroom.
9. A room with a view
What we see through our windows is just as important as what we see inside the room itself. Hopefully, you made a good choice when you selected your home!
But even a less inspiring view can be enhanced by elegant frames and beautiful curtains or window shades.
Everyday is a new chance to see the sunshine from your home, every night you can look at the stars, the most soothing view of all.
Take time to create a comforting home where anxiety won’t want to visit and peace of mind will stay a while.
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