Lives are busy. We constantly rush around from one appointment to the other, ticking things off our long action lists whilst adding things on the end. We seem to be constantly living to deadlines with a never ending catalogue of bills that need to be paid, shopping that needs to be done, reports that need to be written and meetings to attend. Whether in the workplace or at home our lives are controlled to some extent by the clock. It is this constant ticking in our overloaded minds that can lead to high levels of stress which in turn can lower our immune system and make us vulnerable to illness. It’s vital that where possible, we take time to relax and recharge to keep healthy and happy. One way of doing this is by creating a calm and stress-free home environment.
There are many simple ways we can ensure that our home is the relaxing haven it should be. By clearing out the clutter and creating plenty of storage to sort your belongings such as drawers under the bed or decorative boxes you will feel instantly relieved that your papers are in order and your surfaces are free. Adding a houseplant to freshen the atmosphere can lift the spirits and designating a special reading or relaxing zone where you can switch off, even if it’s a chair in the corner of your bedroom or a bench in the garden, knowing you can escape when the going gets tough is important. One other major way to create a relaxing environment it to ensure you decorate with calming colours throughout your home.
Carl Gustav Jung said ‘Colours are the mother tongue of the subconscious’. Our reaction to colour is instantaneous and can have a profound effect on our behaviour. Red for example can bring people together and stimulate conversation; however it also has been shown speed up respiration, raise blood pressure and heart rate. Yellow is a happy, bright and cheerful colour though studies have shown that people are more likely to lose their temper and babies are inclined cry more in a yellow room as this colour can create feelings of frustration and anger. Whether you live in the countryside or a city such as Peterborough or Cambridge interior design choices should reflect your lifestyle more than your environment. If your life is busy and stressful it is therefore important to consider colours that induce a calming and relaxing atmosphere for your home and the people who live there.
Blue has proved to do the opposite to red, to lower blood pressure, heart rate and respiration and is therefore considered to be a calming and relaxing colour. Warmer, softer blues should be considered to prevent your rooms looking cold and uninviting. Violets and lilacs have the same restful properties as blue without the possibility of looking cold. Green has always been known to be the gentlest colour on the eyes and is the colour of balance and harmony making it perfect for a stress-free home. It is suited to almost any room in the house as it is believed to relieve stress and create a cool and relaxing atmosphere as well as to encourage warmth and comfort.
Calming neutrals such as beige, cream, white and grey also create a relaxed environment, making a home feel bright and airy. They can also make a small home feel larger and a dark room look lighter which will lift your spirits and instantly have a calming effect on your life. With a little thought and planning you can create a relaxing, stress-free home regardless of its size and location.