The secrets to creating a stress-free home environment, according to experts (2023)

In today's busy world maintaining a tranquil home plays a significant role in alleviating stress. Thankfully, according to the experts, the simplest of changes hold the key how to create a stress-free home environment.

Our homes are our personal sanctuaries, the one place where we feel safe and nurtured but in a fast-paced world if the balance isn't right with our interiors even in the comfort of our own homes we can still feel overwhelmed by outside pressures.

Simple styling tricks and tweaks can be the key to unlocking a greater sense of calm in any room, because much like the daily habits to keep your homes clean and tidy often it's the little things that can make the biggest impact.

We talked to feng shui practitioners and interior designers to seek expert advice on how to create the ideal stress-free home environment. From calming color palettes and comforting textures to smart home organization ideas these simple changes can all go a long way.

Expert tips for creating a stress-free home

"What makes a calm environment?" asks Olga Trusova, (opens in new tab) designer, design consultant, and author of Calm Living. "I offer three primary requirements: (a) it soothes the senses, (b) it promotes balance, and (c) it makes life easier."

"Remember you can make any space more conducive to calm through small changes with big impact." With that thought in mind, here are eight simple ways to create a more soothing atmosphere in your own home.

1. Choose a calming color palette

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(Image credit: Zhoosh)

It goes without saying that the color palette of your home plays a huge part in how calm you feel within the space. And while the best paint color for your living room may differ from the best paint color for your bedroom they should always be colors that speak to you to make you feel at ease.

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"The right colors in your home can have a huge impact on your state of mind, helping to reduce stress and be more mindful," says Sophie Smith, CEO of the mindful paint company Zhoosh (opens in new tab)."Mindfulness is about being present and engaging in the moment. It is about recognizing and appreciating how you feel in the space around you."

"The easiest place to make this space work is the walls.A quick lick of paint can completely change a room and is a relatively cost-effective way to update things.Our paints are all calm, earthy, and inspired by nature, to provide a subliminally soothing backdrop, whatever your taste."

In the same way that paint can make a small room feel bigger, the way you use color is also important for creating a calming space. "The way colors are used in different areas can also be used to help lift a mood, drawing the eyes towards windows and away from darker corners.Make the most of any natural light you have.

2. Seek comforting textures

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(Image credit: Future)

When it comes to creating an environment that feels all-encompassing it's essential to appeal to all the senses, including touch. Tactiletextures and soft furnishings are integral for providing an element of touch to a decor. They also aid with the overall softness of the space, creating a more tranquil atmosphere by absorbing sound – and negative energy, according to experts.

“Soft furnishings help to slow energy from rushing around the room, to create a calm and convivial space," explains Zoë Vita James, a classically trained feng shui practitioner who works with Open Space Concepts (opens in new tab). "Judicious use of floor rugs, cushions, and soft window treatments are all great for this. Just take care not to over-clutter the room, to keep it feeling airy and inviting."

3. Appeal to your sense of smell

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(Image credit: Getty Images | Madeleine Steinbach)

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In the same way that touch can influence how you feel in your surroundings scent also plays an integral part of feeling at ease. It's no coincidence the best spas all have a somewhat familiar scent of natural oils and ingredients that instantly make you feel grounded.

"Scent is one of the easiest ways to create astress-freeatmosphere," explains Lorriane Anderson (opens in new tab), a spiritual teacher, entrepreneur, and author of the new bookThe Witch's Apothecary (available at Amazon) (opens in new tab). "I call this Perfuming the Home in my book. TheCleveland Clinic (opens in new tab)says essential oils act directly on the hypothalamus part of the brain, which is responsible for the hormonalrelease. They can uplift mood, reduce lethargy, and even boost metabolism."

"Essential oils also have energetic properties. Combine one to three oils, selecting them based on their spiritual intentions and use the blend in your diffuser, create sprays, mix them with herbs to create your own loose incense, or add them to simmer pots to fill your space with fragrance and good vibes," Lorriane advises.

"Try a mix of woods and florals for grounding, citrus and herbaceous scents for uplifting the mood, or heartier florals combined with either spice or resin to relax."

4. Keep sentimental value in sight

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(Image credit: Future)

In Olga's book Calm Living: Simple Design Transformations to Fill your Space With Tranquility (available to buy at Amazon) (opens in new tab), she talks about embracing items of sentimental value. Rather than leaving treasured possessions boxed away to gather dust in the attic, the idea is to feel enriched by their presence to help create a sense of calm in the rooms you use on a daily basis.

"I would encourage you to experiment with displaying your sentimental items, almost gallery-like, instead of hiding them away," Olga says in her book. "Your items could go on top of a sideboard in the living room, on the wall, or on a mantel above the fireplace."

5. Find balance

The secrets to creating a stress-free home environment, according to experts (5)

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(Image credit: Getty Images | Damian Lugowski)

With any decor scheme, it's often about striking the right balance because too much is cluttered and chaotic while too little can feel empty and cold – neither of which is conducive to creating a sense of comfort.Start by decluttering your home to ensure no room is overfilled with unwanted items.

Moving from room to room, consider what needs to be there and what could be put into storage or rehomed. The best approach to feeling motivated to start decluttering is to take it one step at a time – feeling like it has to be done in one day will only add to the stress you might already be feeling.

"Simple changes to our space can offset the emotional weight of anxiety, sadness, and stress," says Olga. "Clutter-to-empty ratio, for example keeping shelves half empty, can have a tremendous effect, giving us breathing room. We can create more breathing room by borrowing a few concepts from the Japandi design style."

Start small by decluttering your book collection and finally build to a bigger task, like decluttering the bathroom to gradually streamline your home over the course of a few weekends.

6. Consider an alternative layout

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(Image credit: Getty Images | Morsa Images)

Consider rearranging the furniture to transform the aesthetic in any room. ”Flow into and around a room is also crucially important, and this is especially relevant in creating a relaxing space," says Zoe. “Sinuous lines are really important in feng shui to help you feel comfortable and relaxed; create a winding path through the room by arranging furniture in a way that takes you on a journey through the room, rather than directly from door to seat."

"Couches, console tables, bookcases as well as low floor cushions and poufs can help to direct this flow. Carefully placed floor rugs also help to zone different spaces in a room and encourage people to walk in a certain path."

“When choosing your seating placement in the room, be mindful of backs exposed to open areas and doorways," warns Zoe. "The best arrangement is where the seats most used have strong back support, meaning ideally a solid wall or at least chairs with tall backs – carvers or tall armchairs are great for this in the more exposed areas of the room. Do this to help you feel safe and secure."

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Sophie adds her style tip: "Arrange your room around the windows, try not to cover them with heavy drapes or furniture." The concept is to draw your eyes to the light and views beyond. “Beautiful views from the room are vitally important," says Zoe, "as they activate the fortuitous energy in a room, and soften any negative."

7. Flood rooms with light

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(Image credit: Getty Images | 10'000 Hours)

Seeking natural light is the most important aspect when looking at how to combat SAD (seasonal affective disorder) so it makes perfect sense that to create a happier, more grounding home environment you need to utilize light.

"Bright and airy spaces are generally considered best in feng shui, for abundance to prosper and to allow the space for people and relationships to come into your life," explains Zoe.

"If you don’t have an abundance of natural light, create lighting that imitates it," suggests Sophie. "Downward spotlights are great at flooding a room with brightness, but they can feel a little harsh. Mix it up with lamps in the darker corners, wall lights, and even hanging pendant lights to create warmth and coziness."

8. Welcome nature indoors

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(Image credit: Getty Images | Liudmila Chernetska)

There's a reason sage green and forest green have both been hugely significant interior color trends in recent years – they provide a calming backdrop in our homes to balance our busy lives. The close association with nature is the main reason because nature has a calming effect on all of us.

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"The natural world offers us endless inspiration for calm design," explains Olga. "a simple way to bring the outside in is to fill your space with plants. I recommend choosing a variety of Low-maintenance plants – snake plant, Monstera, ficus, bird-of-paradise, fiddle-leaf fig tree, and succulents."

"Filling your space with greenery not only literally brings the outside in but also inspires at eye level and promotes you to incorporate other nature-inspired colors, textures, and materials into your space."

If plants feel too overwhelming, start smaller. “Enliven your room with fresh flowers as a beautiful finishing touch," suggests Zoe. "They reflect the care you feel about your space."

FAQs

How can you promote a stress-free environment? ›

Here are 9 tips for creating a stress-free work environment:
  1. Add personal touches. ...
  2. Keep your workspace clean and organized. ...
  3. Learn to handle or ignore interruptions. ...
  4. Adapt to changes. ...
  5. Add plants to your desk, office or cubicle. ...
  6. Be a good communicator. ...
  7. Incorporate relaxation exercises into your work day.
Nov 18, 2013

How do you create stress? ›

What causes stress?
  1. Feel under lots of pressure.
  2. Face big changes in your life.
  3. Are worried about something.
  4. Don't have much or any control over the outcome of a situation.
  5. Have responsibilities that you find overwhelming.
  6. Don't have enough work, activities or change in your life.
  7. Experience discrimination, hate or abuse.

How can you create a positive environment at home? ›

Simple Tips to Create a Positive and Peaceful Home Environment
  1. Clean out the House and take the Clutter Away. ...
  2. Store the Things You are Not Using. ...
  3. Reorganise Your Furniture. ...
  4. Put Some Plants across the House. ...
  5. Try Aromatherapy. ...
  6. Play Some Music.
Jun 9, 2019

What are 5 strategies you can use to reduce stress? ›

Try these five tips to manage stress and reduce the overall stress of day-to-day activities:
  • Use guided meditation. ...
  • Practice deep breathing. ...
  • Maintain physical exercise and good nutrition. ...
  • Manage social media time. ...
  • Connect with others.
Feb 21, 2023

How can I live a stress free life happier? ›

Here are 15 evidence-based ways to relieve stress.
  1. Get more physical activity. ...
  2. Follow a healthy diet. ...
  3. Minimize phone use and screen time. ...
  4. Consider supplements. ...
  5. Practice self-care. ...
  6. Reduce your caffeine intake. ...
  7. Spend time with friends and family. ...
  8. Create boundaries and learn to say no.
Jan 20, 2022

How do you thrive in a high stress environment? ›

Keep meltdowns to a minimum

If you really want to thrive in a high stress environment, you need take care of your mind and your body on a regular basis. Try deep breathing exercise, mindfulness therapy, yoga, lifting weights, whatever works. Also, keep things in perspective.

How can I be less stressed at home? ›

Advertisement
  1. Get active. Virtually any form of physical activity can act as a stress reliever. ...
  2. Meditate. ...
  3. Laugh more. ...
  4. Connect with others. ...
  5. Assert yourself. ...
  6. Try yoga. ...
  7. Get enough sleep. ...
  8. Keep a journal.

What are the 6 main causes of stress? ›

There are six main areas that can lead to work-related stress if they are not managed properly. These are: demands, control, support, relationships, role and change. For example, workers may say that they: are not able to cope with the demands of their jobs.

What are the 7 sources of stress? ›

7 Unnecessary Causes of Stress (and How to Avoid Them)
  • Rehashing Stressful Situations. ...
  • Worst-Case-Scenario Thinking. ...
  • Procrastination. ...
  • Being Late. ...
  • Lurking or Oversharing on Social Media. ...
  • Clutter in Your Home or Office. ...
  • Worrying About Money You've Already Spent.
Sep 2, 2014

What makes a home happy? ›

Being able to feel relaxed and calm is essential for happiness at home, in fact 90% of those most satisfied with their home say their home always or often makes them feel relaxed. When looking at which spaces can offer us the chance to switch off, research found the living room and bedroom to be most important.

What makes a healthy home environment? ›

Good indoor air—it is smoke-free and CO free, and has good ventilation. Safe water—a clean supply and water temperature set at 120ºF. Free from lead, high levels of radon, and excess chemicals. A solid structure that keeps out pests, moisture, noise, and pollution.

What are 2 tips to creating a positive environment? ›

How to Create a Positive Work Environment
  1. 1) Protect Employees Mental Health. ...
  2. 2) Look at Your Actual Working Environment. ...
  3. 3) Host Company Events. ...
  4. 4) Healthy Body = A Healthy Mind. ...
  5. 5) Create Strong Lines of Communication. ...
  6. 6) Promote Diversity. ...
  7. 7) Provide Opportunities for Career Development.

What makes a home feel peaceful? ›

Think fresh flowers, flameless candles, books, plush pillows, and calming decor. Once the clutter is out, add in a few peaceful-feeling touches that make your home feel cozy and warm. Engage your senses.

What promotes peace at home? ›

Rather than imputing bad motives to others, acknowledge their feelings. Keeping peace means giving each other the benefit of the doubt, showing compassion and empathy, and respecting each other's opinions. If you have wronged or offended one of your family members, take responsibility for your part in the conflict.

What makes a house peaceful? ›

In general, soft, light, neutral and natural colors are great for creating calming, peaceful spaces. Think colors like ivory, white, beige, greige, soft blue or green, natural wood tones, etc.

What are the 3 main strategies to manage stress? ›

In this Article
  • 1.Exercise.
  • 2.Relax Your Muscles.
  • 3.Deep Breathing.
  • 4.Eat Well.
  • 5.Slow Down.
  • 6.Take a Break.
  • 7.Make Time for Hobbies.
  • 8.Talk About Your Problems.
Apr 29, 2021

What are the four A's of stress management? ›

When deciding which option to choose, it's helpful to think of the four A's: avoid, alter, adapt or accept. Since everyone has a unique response to stress, there is no “one size fits all” solution to managing it.

How can I live a happy life mentally? ›

How to be happier
  1. Manage your stress levels. If you have a lot of stress in your life, find ways to reduce it, such as learning a few time-management techniques. ...
  2. Enjoy yourself. ...
  3. Boost your self-esteem. ...
  4. Have a healthy lifestyle. ...
  5. Talk and share. ...
  6. Build your resilience.

How do you turn stress into happiness? ›

10 ways to turn stress into a positive
  1. Build a 'stress wall' During stressful periods, you might feel bombarded by stressful thoughts that trigger anxiety. ...
  2. Stop living in the world of what if… ...
  3. Focus on positive people. ...
  4. Learn to let go. ...
  5. Set a deadline. ...
  6. Be present and mindful. ...
  7. Focus on what you want. ...
  8. Be grateful.
Jun 30, 2016

What triggers environmental stress? ›

Environmental stressors are external, rather than internal, and they can often lead to increased levels of discomfort, anxiety, and aggression. Causes of environmental stress can include loud noises, weather, crowds, temperature, pollution, crime, and war.

Which personality type thrives in stressful environments? ›

In a nutshell, Type A refers to people who respond to stressful circumstances in an external way. These types accept challenges head-on and look for ways to manipulate their environment to direct the outcome.

What are some calming colors? ›

Green – Quiet and restful, green is a soothing color that can invite harmony and diffuse anxiety. Blue – A highly peaceful color, blue can be especially helpful for stress management because it can encourage a powerful sense of calm. Purple – In many cultures, shades of violet represent strength, wisdom and peace.

What is the number one cause of stress? ›

Work stress tops the list, according to surveys. Forty percent of U.S. workers admit to experiencing office stress, and one-quarter say work is the biggest source of stress in their lives.

What are 5 most common signs of stress? ›

If you are stressed, you might feel:
  • Irritable, angry, impatient or wound up.
  • Over-burdened or overwhelmed.
  • Anxious, nervous or afraid.
  • Like your thoughts are racing and you can't switch off.
  • Unable to enjoy yourself.
  • Depressed.
  • Uninterested in life.
  • Like you've lost your sense of humour.

What are the four 4 types of stress? ›

The 4 types of stress
  • Physical Stress: This is often the most obvious form of stress. ...
  • Mental Stress: This form of stress is also quite common, and fairly easy to recognize. ...
  • Behavioural Stress: This can be more difficult to self-diagnose. ...
  • Emotional Stress: This is another tough one to diagnose.
Nov 9, 2020

What are the 4 ingredients of stress? ›

The ingredients are always novelty, unpredictability, threat to the ego, and poor sense of control.

How is stress activated? ›

A stressful situation, whether environmental or psychological, can activate a cascade of stress hormones that produce physiological changes. Activation of the sympathetic nervous system in this manner triggers an acute stress response called the "fight or flight" response.

What usually causes stress to you? ›

Some examples of things that may cause stress include: work – feeling pressure at work, unemployment or retirement. family – relationship difficulties, divorce or caring for someone. financial problems – unexpected bills or borrowing money.

Where is stress created? ›

The stress response begins in the brain (see illustration). When someone confronts an oncoming car or other danger, the eyes or ears (or both) send the information to the amygdala, an area of the brain that contributes to emotional processing.

What is the root cause of my stress? ›

Whilst there are several hidden causes of stress, there is only one underlying root cause behind it all: perception. Perception is the lens through which we interpret and make sense of the world around us. It's the unique blend of images we hold in our minds about ourselves, others, the past, present, and future.

What is the number one symptom of stress? ›

If you are stressed, you might feel: Irritable, angry, impatient or wound up. Over-burdened or overwhelmed. Anxious, nervous or afraid.

What you did to make yourself feel better? ›

Exercise. Walk, bike, run, swim, play Bocce ball, dance or try some yoga. Get moving and you'll release feel-good hormones AKA endorphins, which your body will literally make for you any time you ask it to by exercising.

What are 3 systems activated during stress? ›

(1). The interaction between stress, the autonomic nervous system, the immune system and the kynurenine pathway in the etiology of depression.

Which is one of the biggest contributors to stress? ›

  • According to the American Psychological Association (APA), money is the top cause of stress in the United States. ...
  • According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Americans now spend 8% more time at work compared to 20 years ago, and about 13% of people work a second job.
May 23, 2022

What are 3 personal causes of stress? ›

What causes stress?
  • Family. Sometimes the biggest source of stress occurs with those we love the most. ...
  • Relationships. While healthy relationships can significantly enhance your life, they can also cause high levels of stress when things go wrong. ...
  • Financial. ...
  • Work. ...
  • Health. ...
  • Internal stressors. ...
  • World problems.

Where does stress go in the body? ›

Stress affects all systems of the body including the musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, endocrine, gastrointestinal, nervous, and reproductive systems. Our bodies are well equipped to handle stress in small doses, but when that stress becomes long-term or chronic, it can have serious effects on your body.

Which hormone is responsible for stress? ›

Cortisol, the primary stress hormone, increases sugars (glucose) in the bloodstream, enhances your brain's use of glucose and increases the availability of substances that repair tissues.

What hormone is released when a person is stressed? ›

As your body perceives stress, your adrenal glands make and release the hormone cortisol into your bloodstream. Often called the “stress hormone,” cortisol causes an increase in your heart rate and blood pressure.

How do you find hidden stress? ›

Learn the hidden signs of stress and how to manage symptoms
  1. Losing sleep.
  2. Worrying.
  3. Feeling fatigued most of the time.
  4. Having more headaches or muscle tension.
  5. Changes in eating or sleeping patterns.
Apr 19, 2019

What is at the root of anxiety? ›

There is a multitude of sources that could be triggering your anxiety, such as environmental factors like a job or personal relationship, medical conditions, traumatic past experiences – even genetics plays a role, points out Medical News Today. Seeing a therapist is a good first step. You can't do it all alone.

What mental disorders cause anxiety? ›

Examples of anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder (social phobia), specific phobias and separation anxiety disorder. You can have more than one anxiety disorder. Sometimes anxiety results from a medical condition that needs treatment.

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