Small Changes at Home That Can Help Alleviate Anxiety

by | Aug 1, 2024 | How To | 0 comments

Our home environment significantly impacts our mental health and well-being. Creating a space that promotes relaxation and reduces stress can be an effective way to manage anxiety. Simple changes in your home can make a big difference in how you feel daily. Today, we will go through some valuable tips and small changes you can make at home to help alleviate anxiety.

1. Declutter Your Space

A cluttered space can contribute to feelings of stress and anxiety. Decluttering your home can help create a more peaceful and organized environment. Start by handling one room at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Begin with areas that you use frequently, such as the living room and bedroom. Sort through items and decide what to keep, donate, or discard. Keep only the necessary items or bring you joy. Use storage solutions like bins, shelves, and organizers to keep things tidy.

Regularly maintaining a clutter-free home can make it easier to relax and reduce the constant visual reminders of disorganization. A clean and organized space promotes a sense of calm and control, helping to alleviate anxiety.

2. Update Your Bathroom

A serene bathroom can serve as a sanctuary where you can escape and unwind. Simple updates to your bathroom can significantly impact your mental well-being. Consider refreshing the space with calming colors, such as soft blues or greens.

One effective way to make a significant impact is through a bathroom remodel using eco-friendly materials and fixtures. Incorporating elements like a rain showerhead, a soaking tub, and heated flooring can turn your bathroom into a spa-like retreat. Consider hiring one of the reputed bathroom remodeling companies to help you upgrade your bathroom to have a stress-free and inviting space. 

Adding small touches like scented candles, plush towels, and bath salts can enhance the relaxing atmosphere. Creating a space where you can enjoy a long, soothing bath or a refreshing shower can help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.

3. Create a Calming Color Scheme

The colors in your home can significantly impact your mood and anxiety levels. Certain colors are known to promote relaxation and reduce stress. For example, soft blues, greens, and neutrals can create a calming atmosphere.

Consider repainting walls or adding accents in these soothing colors. In the living room, you might opt for light blue walls or green throw pillows. In the bedroom, neutral tones can create a serene environment conducive to restful sleep.

When choosing colors, think about how they make you feel. Avoid overly bright or bold colors in spaces where you want to relax. A calming color scheme can transform your home into a sanctuary, helping to alleviate anxiety.

4. Improve Lighting

Good lighting is essential for a comfortable and anxiety-free home. Natural light is particularly beneficial for mental health, as it boosts mood and energy levels. Try to maximize the amount of natural light in your home by keeping windows clean and using light, airy curtains.

If natural light is limited, use artificial lighting to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Opt for soft, warm-toned bulbs rather than harsh, bright ones. Consider using dimmer switches to adjust the lighting according to your needs and mood.

Incorporate different types of lighting, such as overhead lights, floor lamps, and table lamps, to create layers of light. This approach helps avoid harsh shadows and creates a more balanced and soothing environment. Proper lighting can significantly impact your mood and help reduce anxiety.

5. Incorporate Plants

Indoor plants can do wonders for your mental health by improving air quality and adding a touch of nature to your home. Studies have shown that being around plants can reduce stress and anxiety.

If you’re new to plant care, choose low-maintenance plants like snake plants, pothos, or succulents. These plants are easy to care for and thrive in various conditions. Place plants in areas where you spend the most time, such as the living room, bedroom, or home office.

Caring for plants can also be a therapeutic activity, giving you a sense of purpose and routine. The presence of greenery in your home can create a calming and refreshing atmosphere, helping to alleviate anxiety.

6. Create a Relaxation Corner

Having a dedicated space for relaxation can be a great way to manage anxiety. This could be a cozy corner in your living room, a nook in your bedroom, or even a small area on your porch. The key is to create a space where you can unwind and recharge.

Start by choosing a comfortable chair or cushion to sit on. Add soft blankets and pillows to enhance comfort. Surround yourself with items that promote relaxation, such as books, candles, or a small water fountain.

Make this space a technology-free zone to avoid distractions and fully immerse yourself in relaxation. Spend a few minutes each day in your relaxation corner, practicing mindfulness, reading, or simply sitting quietly. This dedicated space can become a haven for reducing stress and anxiety.

7. Use Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a simple yet effective way to create a calming atmosphere at home. Essential oils, such as lavender, chamomile, and eucalyptus, are known for their anxiety-reducing properties. Incorporating these scents into your home can help you relax and alleviate stress.

There are various ways to use aromatherapy in your home. One popular method is using a diffuser, which disperses essential oils into the air. You can also use candles, incense, or oil burners. Placing a few drops of essential oil on your pillow before bed can promote better sleep and reduce nighttime anxiety.

In addition to diffusing essential oils, consider creating an aromatherapy spray. Mix a few drops of your favorite essential oil with water in a spray bottle and mist it around your home. This can freshen up your space and create a soothing environment.

Conclusion

Making small changes at home can significantly impact your mental health and help alleviate anxiety. Aromatherapy, updating your bathroom, reducing noise, organizing your space, and personalizing your home can create a more calming and supportive environment. These simple yet effective strategies can transform your home into a sanctuary of peace and comfort.

Start with one or two changes and gradually implement more over time. Remember, creating a tranquil home environment doesn’t require major renovations or significant investments.

In Columbia, Maryland, there’s a former grocery store that has been transformed into a department store for mythical creatures, time travelers, and intergalactic tourists.

It’s called DoodleHATCH.

You can groom a unicorn, visit an intergalactic space station, climb onto a giant’s bed, meet guinea pigs, explore an artist’s studio, and discover approximately a million other things that somebody actually sat down and made.

It’s a nonprofit interactive art museum, a community project, an educational resource, and one of my favorite places I’ve ever discovered.

And it could be demolished as part of a proposed redevelopment of the Long Reach Village Center.

But there’s still an opportunity to help.

You don’t need to donate money. You don’t need to live in Maryland. And you don’t need to know anything about zoning laws.

You can start by writing an email.

🚨 Here's what's happening

Developer Columbia Concepts has proposed redeveloping the Long Reach Village Center in Columbia, Maryland.

The proposal would replace existing buildings with new housing, recreational facilities, and other development.

Unfortunately, that puts a whole collection of existing community resources at risk of being demolished, including:

  • DoodleHATCH Interactive Art Museum
  • Maryland Fashion Institute
  • A makerspace used for community education
  • Local restaurants, shops, and service businesses
  • Early childhood education and community programs
  • A 140-foot-long mural created by approximately 100 community members

This isn’t just about losing a fabulous museum. It’s about losing an entire collection of places that people have built, supported, and relied on.

And there’s another possibility!

🌈 Meet The REALM

Lee Andersen, the founder of DoodleHATCH, and her nonprofit ManneqART want to preserve the existing community resources and transform the village center into an arts and culture destination called The REALM.

Imagine a place where artists have studios, children have room to explore, students can learn creative skills, people can attend performances, and local businesses continue serving their neighbors.

There are plans for a performing arts space, more opportunities for artists, and a Witches Kitchen that might serve you a horrible-disgusting breakfast.

Which, personally, I think sounds promising.

The people behind DoodleHATCH are gathering support to oppose the developer’s zoning proposal and advocate for The REALM.

And they’d love your help.

💌 How to help in about two minutes

If you live in Howard County, Maryland

If you’re 18 or older, DoodleHATCH is asking eligible county residents to visit the museum and sign their petition in person.

📍DoodleHATCH Interactive Art Museum

8775 Cloudleap Court, Unit 101
Columbia, MD 21045

⏱️ Museum hours: Friday–Sunday, 10 AM–5 PM.

And while you’re there, I highly recommend exploring the museum. Bring someone who needs a reminder that being an adult doesn’t mean you have to stop enjoying ridiculous things.

If you don't live in Howard County

You can still help!

DoodleHATCH is collecting emails from people who oppose the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and support preserving the existing arts and community resources through The REALM.

Send your email to: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com

Suggested subject: Support The REALM | Oppose Columbia Concepts Zoning Proposal ZB 1132M

You can write your own message or use one of the templates below.

You don’t need to write an essay. A short, genuine message explaining what you support and why is enough to participate in this email campaign.

✍️ What should your email say?

To make your position clear, include these three things:

1. Say what you’re opposing.

State that you oppose the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center, case ZB 1132M.

2. Say what you’re supporting.

Express your support for preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, existing community resources, and the proposed arts and culture center called The REALM.

3. Explain why you care.

This is the part that makes your email yours.

Maybe you’ve visited DoodleHATCH. Maybe you’re a parent who wants more creative places for children. Maybe you’re an artist, an educator, or someone who thinks it’s important to protect the few spaces where people can explore and make things without needing to buy something.

Maybe you live across the country and just learned that there’s a department store for mythical creatures in Maryland, and you think the world would be a little less interesting without it.

That’s a perfectly good reason to care.

💌 Email templates you can copy

Option 1: Short, simple, and effective

Subject: Support The REALM | Oppose ZB 1132M

Hello,

I’m writing to express my opposition to the proposed Columbia Concepts zoning amendment and redevelopment of the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M).

I support preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, and the existing community services and small businesses, as well as the proposal to create The REALM arts and culture center.

Creative and educational spaces like these provide valuable opportunities for families, artists, students, and the wider community. I believe they deserve to be protected.

Please include my email with the messages of support being collected for DoodleHATCH and The REALM.

Thank you,

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

Option 2: For artists, creatives, and fellow merriment makers

Subject: Please Protect DoodleHATCH and Support The REALM

Hello,

I’m writing in opposition to Columbia Concepts’ proposed redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M), and in support of The REALM.

I believe communities need places where creativity, imagination, and play are actively encouraged.

DoodleHATCH is an extraordinary example of what can happen when artists and community members are given room to create something that doesn’t fit into an ordinary commercial space.

Places like this are rare. They encourage people of all ages to experiment, learn, explore, and connect with one another.

I support preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, the existing community resources, and the vision for The REALM.

Thank you for collecting these messages and advocating for the creative community.

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

Option 3: For people who've visited DoodleHATCH

Subject: Please Save DoodleHATCH | Oppose ZB 1132M

Hello,

I’m writing to express my opposition to the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M), and my support for The REALM.

I’ve personally visited DoodleHATCH, and I want to share why I believe it’s worth preserving.

[Write two or three sentences about your experience. What did you see? Who did you bring? What surprised you? What made you want to return?]

DoodleHATCH is more than a collection of exhibits. It’s a place where creativity is something people can actively participate in, and I believe losing it would be a tremendous loss to the community.

I support preserving the museum, the Maryland Fashion Institute, and the other existing community resources through the proposed arts and culture center, The REALM.

Please include my email with the messages of support you’re collecting.

Thank you,

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

A few tips before you hit send

DO:

  • Use your real name.

  • Include your city and state so organizers can understand where support is coming from.

  • Clearly identify the redevelopment proposal you’re opposing.

  • Specifically mention your support for The REALM.

  • Add a personal sentence or two if you can.

  • Be respectful, even if you’re frustrated.

  • Share this page with other people who might want to help.

DON’T:

  • Pretend to be a Howard County resident if you’re not.

  • Claim to have visited DoodleHATCH if you haven’t.

  • Make up experiences or information.

  • Send threatening, insulting, or harassing messages.

  • Assume your email is the same thing as signing the official petition.

  • Worry about making your message sound impressive. Clear and genuine is better than elaborate.

💌 The Save DoodleHATCH Email Machine

A few clicks, a little personality, and an email that helps support DoodleHATCH and The REALM. No account or signup required.

What's your connection to DoodleHATCH?
Why does protecting places like this matter to you?
✨ Your email preview
To: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com
Subject:

Your information stays in your browser until you choose to copy or open the message. The email does not send automatically. Emails support DoodleHATCH's advocacy campaign; they are not the same as official petition signatures or zoning testimony. Please review the message before sending.

🐹 Wait. What exactly is DoodleHATCH?

I’m so glad you asked.

DoodleHATCH is an interactive art museum in Columbia, Maryland, created by artist, designer, and professional generator of wildly ambitious ideas, Lee Andersen.

The museum is designed as a pretend department store for mythological creatures, time travelers, and galactic tourists.

There are dozens of installations, and unlike most museums, you’re encouraged to touch things, explore, and participate.

There’s also an artist’s studio full of fabric and handmade garments, workshops, special events, birthday parties, free books, and opportunities for local artists to share their work.

The museum welcomes families and children, but adults are absolutely allowed to enjoy themselves, too.

And the woman behind it has spent decades bringing creativity into the community through fashion, festivals, education, and public art.

I discovered DoodleHATCH in 2020 and loved it so much that I started volunteering.

I’ve been back multiple times, and there are still things I haven’t seen.

That’s part of what makes it special. You can keep discovering things because people keep creating them.

You don't have to live near DoodleHATCH to care about it.

There are Merriment Makers everywhere.

People turning empty buildings into art spaces. People organizing parades. People teaching kids how to sew, paint, dance, or build things. People putting enormous amounts of time into projects that make their communities more interesting.

Sometimes they’re running nonprofits. Sometimes they’re working out of their garages. Sometimes they’re making something weird in a strip mall that you might drive past a hundred times without realizing what’s inside.

I hope you’ll help protect DoodleHATCH.

And I hope you’ll look around your own community, too. Visit the strange little museum. Go to the local art show. Find the person who makes giant puppets or organizes an absurd annual festival. Spend your money at the independent shop with the handmade things.

There are people everywhere creating reasons for us to be curious about being alive.

I’d like them to be able to keep doing that.

Help save DoodleHATCH. Help protect The REALM. Help keep the world interesting.

💌 Email: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com

🌈 Visit: DoodleHATCH.com

🦄 Share: Uncustomary.org/Doodle