5 Ways to Reduce Stress in Your Home
Women
Audio By Carbonatix
By Jennifer Waddle, Crosswalk.com
A certain amount of stress can be expected in any home, whether you’re a young parent trying to keep energetic toddlers safe, or you’re an empty nester trying to find your new normal. However, there are specific ways to reduce stress and create a more peaceful environment. Consider these ways to minimize stress in your home and create new habits that benefit the whole family.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Catherine Falls Commercial
1. Calm the Noise
Let’s start with the noise level in your home. On any given day, the TV is playing cartoons on repeat, your phone is dinging with alerts, and your earbuds are keeping you informed with the latest, greatest podcast. No wonder you’re stressed!
Overstimulation is known to be a major cause of stress for young and old alike. According to this article from Healthline, there are key signs of overstimulation, including:
-Feeling irritated and easily annoyed: Small things that don’t usually bother you may start becoming overwhelming.
-Feeling anxious: If you’re constantly overstimulated, you may feel restless, on edge, or like you need to escape. Some people may also experience panic attacks.
-Having trouble focusing: Your brain may feel foggy, and you may have sudden difficulty concentrating, recollecting information, or making decisions on the spot.
-Feeling emotionally drained: Overstimulation may feel draining with a sense of overwhelm, even if you’re not aware of what causes it. You might cry easily or feel overly sensitive.
-Experiencing physical symptoms: Headaches, body aches, exhaustion, or tense muscles may result from the stress caused by persistent overstimulation. It’s also possible that you start having difficulty sleeping or staying asleep.
If your family is used to constant input, it might be a bit disorienting when you begin cultivating a quieter space. One way to integrate calmness is to play worship music in the background, turning off all other “noise makers.” Before long, you’ll get used to the new habit and find that your peace has returned.
Lord, help me calm the noise in our home, turning to You for quietness and strength. In Jesus’ name, amen.
2. Create a Prayer Space
Does your home have a prayer room or prayer closet? Even the corner of a bedroom can be turned into a sanctuary for prayer and reflection. This is a simple yet meaningful way to reduce stress and encourage more time with God.
Here are a few ideas to create a meaningful prayer space for your family:
-Set up a small desk with a Bible and a notebook. Encourage your spouse and children to spend time with God, journaling Scriptures and prayers.
-Have a bulletin board for prayer requests where every family member can post freely and pray for one another.
-Create a comfy prayer corner with pillows, calm lighting, and a few Bible devotionals. Be sure to include age-appropriate devotions for adults and kids alike.
Hang encouraging verses around your prayer space, such as:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 1:28)
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27 NLT)
“Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].” (Philippians 4:6-7)
Having a designated prayer space is a wonderful way to reduce stress and encourage more time in God’s presence. The only problem you might face is everyone wanting to utilize the space all at once!
Lord, draw us into Your holy presence as we seek You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
3. Reduce the Activity
How many activities are penciled onto your family calendar this month? School programs, sports events, church, and family obligations…the list goes on. But how many of these activities can be erased from the calendar in order to reduce the stress in your home?
Crosswalk contributor, Michelle S. Lazurek, writes, “Usually, parents are running from activity to activity, leaving little time for downtime or reducing their stress. High levels of cortisol are to blame for increased stress. Allow children to lower their cortisol levels and regulate their emotions through downtime or playtime. Allow kids to use their imagination and avoid boredom. Children do not have to be doing something all the time to be productive and valuable in society as adults.”
You might be surprised how reducing activity can give the whole family a greater sense of calm and peace. Just knowing you don’t have to rush out of the house every night of the week can help you breathe a sigh of relief and reconnect with your loved ones.
Take a look at the month ahead and see what activities can or should be removed. Set healthy boundaries without apology, and determine which events are most important.
Lord, show us which activities are beneficial and help us eliminate the rest. In Jesus’ name, amen.
4. Turn Phones Off
Turning your phone off might seem like an oversimplistic way of reducing stress in your home, but I believe it can be the most helpful.
Amanda Idleman says, “We need to be the boss of our phones, and it's okay to tell it to be quiet. Silence all the unnecessary fuss, so you only hear that ding when you need to know what is happening.”
Because we’ve grown so attached to our phones and constant engagement with social media, we have an irrational fear of missing out. What if we miss a text, a call, or a notification? What if we don’t reply to a Facebook message quickly enough? What if we overlook a like or share on Instagram?
These are the kinds of subliminal questions circling in our minds day after day. By silencing the phone noise and actually turning our devices off, we will automatically cultivate less stress in our homes. Let your loved ones know you’ll check your phone only once or twice a day. Ask them to call if they need something urgent. Pin a post on social media letting people know you’re taking a break. Most of all, give yourself permission to miss out.
Lord, please forgive me for wasted time on social media. Help me see the benefits of silencing my phone and engaging in face-to-face interactions. In Jesus’ name, amen.
5. Ignite Creativity
The times I’ve turned our dining room table into a craft area have been among the most memorable with my kids and grandkids. There’s something about being creative that instantly calms our minds and reduces stress. Painting, sculpting, and building new things allows our brains to switch gears from what’s urgent to what’s pleasant. It gives our senses time to reset and find satisfaction in creating something unique.
According to this post from the University of Florida, “Creativity is a natural mood booster! Studies by Fancourt & Steptoe (2020) found that people who regularly engage in creative activities report higher happiness levels and lower rates of depression than those who don’t. Plus, expressing yourself through art or crafting can help you process emotions without needing to say a word.”
Ignite a sense of creativity by having a family arts-and-crafts night, taking a nature walk, or starting a new hobby. This is a fantastic way to spend quality time as a family and greatly reduce the stress in your home.
Lord, thank You for creating us with various gifts and talents. Help us to use them for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.
More Resources for Your Journey:
How Can Moms Create a Calm, Less Stressful Home?
Put the Phone Down: 5 Ways to Be Intentional with Your Children
