3 Ways to De-Stress your Home for the Fall.

…As the holiday season approaches, so does the potential for longer work days, more zoom calls, ongoing pandemic uncertainty, increased risk for cold and flu, unrealistic family exceptions and the financial pressures of gift giving.

Stress isn’t going anywhere, but how we respond and prepare for stressful situations can make all the difference. 

When it comes to de-stressing the home, these are my top 3:

1) De-clutter: 

 That’s right. Clutter distracts us from clarity. Clutter disrupts feelings of calm. Not just in the home, but any space we occupy. Including our own bodies. Our brain naturally responds to clutter as chaos. Adopting a mindset of tidiness not only brings stress relief to your home life, but also to your health and wellness journey. De-clutter your refrigerator, counter tops and pantry, and watch your eating habits improve. De-clutter your office space and watch productivity improve. With so many stressors that are out of our control, starting with the ones we’re in control of gets us much closer to relief.

Studies show that people who describe their house as cluttered, tend to have higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

One drawer at a time. One room at a time. 
 If you can’t do it alone, check out this list of online clutter coaches ready and available to assist.

https://upstatecluttercoach.com
https://organizeforlove.com
https://match.angi.com

2) House Plants:

Indoor plants not only enhance the vibe and decor of any space, but they also improve your mood and outlook on life. During the Fall and Winter months, when people tend to spend more time inside, house plants also bring the health benefits of improving air quality and removing air pollutants. For a more therapeutic approach, indoor gardening can bring even more relief to stress, anxiety and depression. 

A study published in the journal of Physiological Anthropology found that plants in your home or office can make you feel more comfortable soothed and natural.

For those of you who aren’t ready to start a garden, click the link below for a list of low maintenance stress relieving plants to add to your home today.

https://floweraura.com

3. Get Outdoor Active

Spending too much time indoors may be adding to your stress. Give your home a break. Extended periods of time spent indoors can lead to a decrease in serotonin levels, which can lead to feelings of irritability, increased mood swings and depression.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average American spends 93% of their life indoors. 

This number has probably grown over the past 2 years as a result of COVID-19, along with an increase in screen time and social media consumption. 

For a lot of households, the pandemic also means less privacy and more disagreements. Take some time outdoors to tend to your thoughts. From sitting on the porch, to taking  a short walk, to finding a local park, get you a good playlist and get outside.  If you have the benefit of living in a safe and pollutant free environment, please don’t take the outdoors for granted. It’s good for your health.

As Markham Heid of time.com wrote:

Modern life involves cramming yourself into a series of boxes, from those with walls or wheels, to those with keyboards or queues. Freeing both mind and body from those restraints, even for a small slice of your day, may do you a lot of good. 

Read entire article at: https://time.com/4306455/stress-relief-nature/

When it comes to de-stressing your space, whatever you do, don’t wait until the last minute. There’s nothing more stressful than procrastination. 

-Coach Ell-