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Give your home some love
Give your home some love
Your home may never be a castle, but it can definitely be a haven — your own private refuge from the mayhem of the outside world.
Creating a stress-free and soothing home environment can mean hiring a contractor to install serious soundproofing or a spa-worthy steam shower — pricey upgrades that are likely to add property value.
But just as often, it's about simple things you can do without laying out a cent. Start by remembering to take advantage of features your home already has.
Take time to light candles, enjoy a cup of coffee on the patio and remember to take leisurely bath. Remember that the outer order contributes to inner calm.
Clearing open surfaces of extraneous stuff, cleaning out closets, and generally straightening up. Oderliness really helps us feel more energetic and cheerful.
Think of taking the TV out of the main living space. There's nothing tranquility-inducing about blaring commercials or the evening news. Consider eliminating all but one TV for the household. Put it out of the way, where flicking it on won't be an automatic gesture, and feel your home's peace vibe rise. ?? Rather Listen to music, consider music, which is soothing.
Soak Out the Stress. Hot baths have been used for frayed nerves and sore muscles since Cleopatra's day. Followers of the Chinese art of Feng Shui believe pink calms a room, while green — because it symbolizes nature — is serene and refreshing.
Make sure that the lighting in your home is right. Balance an overhead fixture with wall sconces and table lamps — and be sure to put that ceiling fixture on a dimmer, especially over a dining table.
"Flickering Flames" Sitting by a crackling fire has nurtured souls from time immemorial. If you're lucky enough to have a fireplace, use it to create relaxing ambience. "No fireplace" Make the most of candlelight for a mid-winter mood boost.
Freshly cut flowers provide measurable uplift, a new behavioral research study shows. People who live with flowers report fewer episodes of anxiety and depressed feelings. Chrysanthemums last longest; they can go up to three weeks in a vase, with alstroemeria, roses, and lilies a close second.
Wherever you find yourself in your life, whether you live in a mansion or a garden cottage, make sure you give your home the love it deserves.