Stress seems to follow us around at the moment, from the cost of living to various things going on in the world, all to a backdrop of our own day-to-day problems like maintaining relationships, looking after children and our working life.
Having a spot in our home to relax, unwind and deal with any stresses we may have can be instrumental in maintaining our mental health, with many private mental health clinic sites encouraging patients to create a calm and relaxing environment at home.
If you’re lucky enough to have a spare room, you can take that a step further by creating a space that is dedicated to stress relief, tailored to your exact needs.
There are so many options and ideas out there to do this, so to give you a helping hand, here are five stress relieving ideas to transform your spare room…
Create a Yoga and Meditation Space
More and more people are turning to yoga and meditation to look after their mental health these days, mainly because it is actually proven to reduce stress.
There are many yoga poses for stress relief, and having a calming environment to do it is only going to help. Naturally, a big part of creating a serene yoga studio is by having enough space to do it. It should be a room free from clutter firstly, while you can optimise that further by using calming colours on the walls such as greens, soft blues and neutral colours.
Incorporate nature to add to that soothing atmosphere, with house plants and natural materials like wood and bamboo can help create a tranquil setting, ideal for meditation and yoga. Of course, don’t forget your yoga mat and meditation cushions too.
Design a Reading Nook
For those who prefer to get lost in a book to relieve stress, creating a space that is nice and quiet, as well as cosy is perfect. A home library can be a really therapeutic space, with a comfortable chair or chaise longue being the centrepiece of the room.
Add plenty of cushions and throws to add to the comfort, while getting the lighting right is also key.
A well placed reading lamp can really transform the environment, while you may also want to add personal touches through the artwork in the space, again focusing on calm rather than anything too throught provoking or harsh.
Set Up a Home Spa
If we think of relaxation, many think of spa retreats, but there’s actually no reason you can’t incorporate elements of a spa day at home. A dedicated spa room can be a truly luxurious escape and help you combat daily stress and recharge.
A good place to start is with a massage table or comfortable reclining chair. Stock up on spa essentials like your oils, candles, nice fluffy towels and skincare products. Ultimately, add in the elements you most prefer from a spa.
Something to play calming music, alongside soft lighting can create a soothing atmosphere to just drift away into.
Establish an Art and Craft Studio
The power of arts and crafts have been really championed over the last few years as brilliant for mental health, so if it’s something you enjoy and like to get lost in, why not create your own studio?
You don’t need to make too many changes to do this, just some good storage for all your materials, comfortable seating, a workbench or table and you’re good to go. Of course, you can personalise the space as you go with your work, decorating your room while enjoying the therapeutic qualities of getting creative at the same time.
Create a Music Room
Similarly, a music room can be just as good for your mental health. Whether you play an instrument or just like listening to it, a dedicated space for music can be perfect for unwinding.
Comfortable seating is a must, as is something to play music on, whether that be a record player or simple speaker set-up. If you’re wanting to play, setting up a space for your instruments also will be required.
Soundproofing the room as much as you can is also a must, so add in thick curtains, rugs and acoustic panels if necessary so as not to disturb the rest of the house or next door. After all, you want to aid your own stress, but not cause it for others!
