Five Ways to Effectively Unwind at Home

As a wide-eyed Kansas farm girl declared in a beloved film many years ago:

More often than not, however, we end up coming home to a barrage of unwashed dishes, unpaid bills, and highly energetic kids to tuck into bed—all of which contribute to a stressful atmosphere.

No need to worry though, we’ve rounded up a few tips that will enable you to feel peaceful and breathe a little easier as soon as you enter your front door.

At the end of a long day, mess is the last thing you’d want to see at home. A few misplaced items can quickly pile into a growing sense of imbalance and disorder that can make relaxation next to impossible. So set aside a few hours to get rid of stuff you no longer need and find a place for everything you decide to keep. You’ll be surprised with just how inviting your space can become once you resolved all pesky visual noise—and the process isn’t as hard as you’d expect.

Fragrance and smells are strongly tied to good feelings. So to create a sense of calm in your home, consider investing in fragrances that allow you to unwind: such as scented candles, essential oils, or even traditional incense. The key is to use subtle, rather than strong, scents. Lavender is a terrific, soothing option, while crowd-pleasers like eucalyptus, peppermint, sandalwood and rose help cultivate a relaxing atmosphere.

Music is a universal language that does wonders for the soul. And while there’s a place for power anthems, from Beyonce to Black Sabbath, you’re better served at the end of the day by a more mellow playlist. Think Norah Jones or the Afro-tinged beats of Erykah Badu or Sade. Wordless ambient tunes, from light jazz or classical piano, can also help calm the mind and elevate the mood at the end of a tiring day.

Often the best remedy to a long tiring day is to reach out to those we love the most. Jam-packed calendars and conflicting schedules may make regular family dinners impossible, especially if you have kids in college. But it’s good to fight for quality time, whether it’s a chat over a beer, an after-meal walk around the village with your spouse, or just simple chit-chat while folding clothes.

Having trouble drifting off to slumberland? Consider keeping your bedroom a strictly no-technology zone. Studies have shown that the blue light emitted by electronic devices interferes with our body’s production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates our sleep cycle. So a no-screen policy will definitely turn the bedroom into a much-needed sanctuary to unwind and recover from the world.