22 Easy Ways to Reduce Stress at Home for National Relaxation Day

In normal times, between work, family life, and recreation, it can be easy to forget to carve out some peaceful personal space — but when a crisis strikes, the need to let go of stress can be crucial. Whether you're looking to unwind after a long day or especially anxious over health, money, or family worries, taking time to unwind on your own can be incredibly healthy and restorative. 

From indulging in a spa day at home to creating a calming environment and routine, here are our favorite ways to relax at home — many of which don't cost a dime.

Numerous studies have shown that all of our electronic devices — phones, computers, tablets, and TVs — can cause a number of negative side effects, including trouble sleeping, decreased productivity, and interfering with healthy relationships. Unplugging from our gadgets in the bedroom — and elsewhere in the house — can go a long way to helping you relax, sleep better, regain focus, and discover ways to be productive offline.

It can be hard to find moments to relax at home — especially if you are locked inside with a big family or roommates, and especially if you also work from home. But there are plenty of science-backed reasons why carving out alone time can be extremely beneficial, including increased creativity and mental health. 

Even squeezing in 10 minutes of solo time can be extremely relaxing. Try getting up a little earlier than the rest of the house, temporarily close the bedroom door and hang a "Do Not Disturb Sign," or turn your bathroom into a bit of a sanctuary where you can spend a little extra "me" time.

Everyone's idea of a relaxing time at home is bound to be different, so make a checklist of the things that make you feel calm and happy. Whether it's your favorite music or books, places you want to travel or your favorite memories, even the process of making the list is bound to bring a smile to your face and help you unwind. Plus, you'll have a tangible list to serve as a reminder of how to eventually make the most of your spare time or which life goals are most important to you.

Countless studies have shown that reducing the amount of clutter in your home offers numerous health benefits, including increased concentration, creativity, and sense of well-being. To help you feel more relaxed at home, carve out some time to get rid of all that clutter, so that you can make space for the things you really enjoy. Many people swear by the book, "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up" ($10 on Amazon) by Marie Kondō as a great primer for decluttering.

Even if you feel like you don't have the spare time or money to book a massage at a spa in the best of times, there are plenty of ways to unwind with a relaxing massage at home. If you have a significant other, plan a time when you can give each other a calming massage. 

You should also consider getting a handheld massager, like this handheld neck and back massager ($35 on Amazon), which can be used on yourself or with the help of someone else to get rid of tension knots. And while top-of-the-line massage chairs can get pricey, you can get an inexpensive seat cushion massager, like this one from Snailax, ($46 on Amazon), which can be used at home or in the car.

Another great way to indulge with an inexpensive spa day at home is by carving out time for a luxurious bath. Set the mood with candles and relaxing music, and make the bath special by using bubbles or a fizzy bath bomb with essential oils, calming scents, and fun colors. Be sure to clean the tub beforehand and bring the water to a comfortable temperature that's soothing but not scalding. You also may want to try a face mask, and maybe even a glass of bubbly and some spa snacks.

Often our hectic schedules don't allow us the time to properly care for our skin, but making time for an at-home skin treatment can not only be relaxing, but also leave you feeling recharged and youthful. There are plenty of cheap ways to treat your skin at home, by cleaning, exfoliating, toning, and moisturizing. A healthy skincare routine is also important for men, so don't neglect to take care of yours, guys.

Remember how cozy that robe and slippers were the last time you visited a spa or stayed at a nice hotel? Well, why not enjoy those same perks at home? You can score some plush, hotel-quality robes online, choosing from a range of styles and prices, and keep your feet toasty with fuzzy slippers. This microwavable heating pad from Nature Creation ($25 from Amazon) is another great way to relax and relieve stress and muscle pain.

Aromatherapy, using plant extracts and essential oils, has been used for thousands of years to help improve people's mood and health, and it's a great way to relax at home. Essential oils, such as lavender and eucalyptus, can be found online or at natural food and health stores, and can be used in a variety of ways. Try adding a few drops to your next bath or in a bowl of hot water to steam your face. The oils can also be added to massage oils or creams, or you can use a diffuser to enjoy the calming scent throughout the house or in your bedroom.

Lighting can have a tremendous effect on our mood — both positively and negatively. Where possible, try to increase the amount of natural light in your home. Use sheer curtains to allow diffused, soft light into your home, while maintaining privacy. Bright, overhead lights can make it difficult to unwind — especially stress-inducing fluorescent bulbs — so use lamps instead in select locations. Use a dimmer on your lights to reduce the intensity, and look for full-spectrum light bulbs, which mimic natural light for a more calming effect. Blue lighting is also thought to help you relax more quickly.

Meditation has long been used as a way to help calm the mind and relax — not to mention numerous other health benefits. And while many people shy away from it, thinking they have to sit like a monk for hours, anyone can easily get started with meditating for just two minutes each day simply by sitting down somewhere comfortable and paying attention to your breathing.

What you wear can have a big impact on how you feel, and yet many of us come home and don't change out of our work clothes until bedtime. Make a point to change into comfortable clothing when you get home or when it's time to relax, and you'll notice a big difference. Invest in a few pairs of comfy sweatpants or house pants, pajamas, soft T-shirts, fuzzy socks and thick, hooded sweatshirts or sweaters.

While it's important to have a quiet and comfortable bedroom to help you sleep, sleep experts advise not spending time in bed unless you're planning to sleep. So if you're looking to unwind elsewhere, you should create a special space in your home dedicated to relaxation. While it could be your couch, if that's the place where you watch TV, you might want to find another place to unplug. Maybe it's a study or even just a corner of the living room. Create a space away from distractions away from others, where there's comfortable seating, soft and soothing lighting, and any accessories that you help you relax like a book, knitting, or a musical instrument.

Music has long been regarded as a great way to relax and reduce stress and tension, so look for ways that you can incorporate some calming sounds to your routine at home. And while one study showed that the song "Weightless" by Marconi Union is the most relaxing song in the world, musical tastes are subjective, so you'll need to find what works well for you. Classical music or light jazz might work for some, while other might enjoy acoustic folk or new age tunes. And others might prefer the dulcet tones of a sound bath.

Science has shown that spending time in nature helps us relax, but we don't always have time to go for hike when we need to unwind — and fortunately, we don't have to. There are plenty of ways to bring nature indoors, including adding plants around your home, using a bubbling indoor water fountain, and even playing a recording of the sounds of nature — such as a bubbling brook or wind through the trees — has been shown to help us relax.

Tea has long been used to help people relax, and it turns out that even the process of making tea can help reduce stress. While green tea has been shown to reduce stress, you may want to opt for a caffeine-free herbal tea — also known as a tisane — if you want to really unwind or get ready for sleep. Peppermint, chamomile, and lemon balm teas are excellent options for relaxation.

Fixing a healthy, homemade dinner can be a great way to relax at home. If you're looking for something that's relatively hands-off, consider putting your slow cooker to work, so you can kick back and enjoy a feast later. Ambitious home cooks may enjoy taking a Sunday afternoon to make something from scratch such as bread, cheese, or pasta — which can be very meditative and calming.

An excellent way to de-stress is to dust off those classic board games and puzzles from the closet. Maybe you want to plan a family game night, or work on an elaborate puzzle by yourself or with a loved one.

There's nothing quite like cozying up with a good book and letting the hours pass calmly by. Plus, reading has been shown to help reduce stress and offer other health benefits. While many of us use ereaders these days, try staying unplugged and pull down one of those paperbacks or hardcovers from your shelf and find a quiet place to read. And while everyone has their own tastes in reading materials, you may want to avoid that bestselling thriller if you're trying to unwind and instead opt for something lighter and more relaxing.

While many people think writing in a journal is just kid stuff, many studies have shown that journaling is a great way to reduce stress. If you have trouble falling asleep at night, try writing down all the things that are troubling you. You'll not only get them out of your head to help you sleep, but it will also help make the issues feel more tangible and approachable the next day. And writing in a journal can also be about positive things — what you're proud of, the people you care about, goals you want to set for yourself — all of which can help you feel more at peace.

Between work and family life, sometimes we forget to invest in ourselves and explore new areas of interest. Take time to explore a relaxing hobby at home, such as learning an instrument, painting, knitting, or some other craft. Even coloring is now considered a healthy way for adults to relax and de-stress.

These days, you can get nearly everything delivered to your home, from groceries and alcohol to your laundry and even toys and games. When you need to stay at home, it's time consider putting more of these handy services to use.

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