Simple Ways to Build a Calming Home Sanctuary

Are you looking to create a home that helps destress as soon as you step inside?

Everyone needs a place to unwind and relax. When you come home from work or whatever you do all day, your house should be a place that relaxes you, not stresses you out. The issue is this...

Most homes are not like this. They are cluttered, chaotic and full of STUFF that silently creates stress.

The good news?

Creating a restful retreat in your home can be simple (and inexpensive). Read on to learn how you can design your space to relax and feel great daily.

Let's jump in...

On This Page:

• Why Your Home Environment Matters
• Declutter To Calm Your Mind
• Bring Nature Indoors
• Set The Mood With Light & Scent
• Create A Dedicated Relaxation Corner

Why Your Home Environment Matters

Your surroundings have a direct impact on how you feel.

Consider this. When you open the door to a cluttered room, do you feel your shoulders involuntarily slump? It's not psychosomatic. The world around you is speaking to your brain, and your brain is choosing whether you want to relax or remain tense. Did you know that studies have found 55% of Americans believe clutter makes them stressed out. Over half of people are depleted by their environments.

Designing a space for relaxation reverses this process. Rather than your space zapping your energy, your space begins to empower you. Creating a cozy nook with comfy cushions, ambient lighting, and a couple tranquil objects is one way many people establish their relaxing practice. Others may have a stash of hobby related goods within arms reach. Maybe that means your favorite mug, a good book, or some quality bongs for sale displayed on your shelf.

Having a serene home doesn't mean spending lots of money. It means being intentional with what you already own.

Let's start with the biggest culprit...

Declutter To Calm Your Mind

Clutter is the number one enemy of a calm home.

Why? Because when you look at a cluttered environment, your brain perceives all of that visual clutter as undone tasks. And that activates your stress response, even when you're at rest.

This also isn't a subjective feeling. Research shows clutter can increase your cortisol (stress hormone) levels by 18 to 25 percent when compared to tidy spaces. Now that's significant for something so easily remedied.

Where do you start? Room by room. Everything must be sorted into one of three piles:

• Keep -- items you use or love
• Donate -- things someone else could use
• Toss -- broken or useless stuff

After you de-clutter, purchase some storage baskets to conceal the necessities. You will want to allow your space to breathe.

Cleaning a house really does free your mind. And it's free unless you count time.

Bring Nature Indoors

Nature has a calming effect on everyone.

The body tends to unwind around plants and natural fibers. You can enjoy these benefits even if you have limited green space.

Here is just how effective this can be. Researchers discovered that just looking at nature can lower cortisol by 13%. That's right. Just by staring at some greenery.

Ok, now how do you incorporate this into your home? Start small and work your way up:

• Add a few low-maintenance houseplants like a snake plant or peace lily
• Use natural materials like wood, cotton, and stone
• Display found objects like interesting stones or driftwood
• Position your seating to face a window with a view of greenery

Plants not only purify the air, they add a softness and life to your home decor. Small details make a difference. Add a wooden bowl or cotton throw or small pot of herbs on your windowsill and you can change the ambiance of any room.

Set The Mood With Light & Scent

Lighting and scent are your secret weapons.

They are small things, but they alter the mood of a room. Bright glaring lights will keep you mentally alert. Warm dim lights cue your body it needs to wind down.

Try these simple lighting swaps:

• Swap cold white bulbs for warm-toned ones
• Use dimmer switches to control the mood
• Add string lights or a Himalayan salt lamp for a soft glow
• Light a few candles in the evening

Now on to aroma. Smell actually goes directly to your limbic system which is the emotional brain. One smell can relax you in seconds.

Aromatherapy isn't just something special you get at spas. You can easily enjoy it at home with an essential oil diffuser or scented candles. Popular relaxing scents include lavender, chamomile, and sandalwood.

Mix warm light with a relaxing scent and your home begins to feel like a sanctuary.

Create A Dedicated Relaxation Corner

Every sanctuary needs a spot that's just for you.

This is your sanctuary, where you shut off from the world. It doesn't have to be an entire room. Even just a peaceful corner will do.

Identify an area that you aren't using. Place a comfy chair, a cushion, and a small table that you can put a couple things you love on. When you need a five minute recharge from life, go sit in there.

A few tips for building your corner:

• Face your seat towards a calming view, not a screen
• Keep it clutter-free and simple
• Add soft textures like a plush blanket
• Include soothing sounds with a small speaker or white noise machine

Noise is more important than you think. A small water fountain, some nature sounds or some chill vibes will mask background noise and allow you to relax quicker. The magic of this spot is that it conditions your mind. Each time you sit, your body remembers this is where you unwind.

Bringing It All Together

There you have it. Easy steps to create your very own peaceful retreat at home.

Truthfully, none of these things need to be stressful or expensive. They simply require minor adjustments to your current living situation. Let's review:

• Declutter to quiet your mind
• Bring in plants and natural materials
• Set the mood with warm light and calming scent
• Build a dedicated relaxation corner

Your house should be where you rest and rejuvenate, not what drains you. More than 50% of people say their home stresses them out. Here's how to turn that around.

Begin with any one step today. Choose whatever one you feel most inspired to do.

Because a calm home means a calm mind.