How to Handle the Stress of Home Improvement: 7 Ideas
That home renovation you started recently sounded like a good idea in theory, and you know that the upgrades will be worth it to get a more comfortable living environment, but you may not have imagined the stress it brought. From contractors who don’t finish (or start) when they are supposed to uncovering structural issues you did not know existed, and going over the expected project budget, there is a lot you’re worrying about. To help you get through this tense time, here are seven ideas to unwind and relax. It could just be for a night or two a week, or maybe you find one of these activities becomes your daily go-to when things seem a bit too much to cope with. You could try:
1. Mindfulness
The way you’re thinking about the renovation is likely adding to the stress. It’s natural that spending significant money comes with its share of worries, especially as you’ve worked so hard to earn it and want to make sure it’s going toward the right things. But it’s important to provide your brain with a bit of relief, or mental exhaustion can happen, and quickly.
As for when and where to practice mindfulness, you can do it anywhere. Perhaps you take a few minutes in the bedroom or while parking your car in the driveway after work before entering the home.
Mindfulness involves being in the present moment, focusing on that and only that for as little or as much time as you want. Pay attention to your breathing and silence those negative voices in your head that make you so tense. You may find you’re more relaxed by the end of the short (or longer) period of being mindful and that you become better at being in this state of mind throughout the day, which helps you cope better during the house project.
2. Get Outside
You might find that simply going into the backyard or taking a walk in the neighborhood is a good release when the construction gets loud or you just need a break from the stressful environment. Walking outside, feel the fresh air, take a deep breath, and remind yourself that the world is bigger than this project.
Being out in nature has a way of grounding many people. Perhaps you get caught up in your head a lot and can’t seem to silence the worrying thoughts, even after trying mindfulness. If that’s the case, you might have better success at reaching that goal by getting outside. Listen to the birds, look at the trees that have been there for thousands of years, and appreciate all that surrounds you.
It also might be quieter outdoors than it is with the power tools inside. You may just need a half hour away in nature to bring you a better sense of balance. Knowing that some people find time outdoors is a stress-reliever, it’s worth trying to see if that happens for you, too.
3. See Your Friends
What, you say, why would I do that when that’s only going to make me more anxious as they’ll ask about how the renovation is going? Well, the great thing about being around friends is that they can cheer you up. They can listen to your concerns about what is happening, which can be a relief to talk about. You might find that you’ve overthought things or even made them worse than they are in your mind. Good pals can help you return to reality through the conversations you have.
They might also offer recommendations for professionals to help you out around the house so you don’t have to do it all on your own. Or, they might suggest you let someone go who you had hired for the project because they’re not a great fit after all. The feedback you receive can be helpful, providing you with a fresh perspective on things.
Finally, being social can be a welcome break from the pressure you may feel back at the house. Meet at a friend’s house, at a restaurant, or somewhere else you’re bound to have fun together. That can boost your mood and be a great reminder that you’re not alone in your struggles and that things will get easier.
4. Unwind with Games
Reducing stress during a home improvement project or at any other challenging time is more likely to happen when you take care of yourself. You ought to have fun while doing it, as that can lead to a better mood and help you smile more. If you’re unsure what activity to try, you only need to look so far as your phone or another electronic device for popular games like Minesweeper. This logic puzzle game has remained a favorite over the years as a way to unwind without having to learn a lot of complex rules.
Playing a puzzle game can help you forget worries about construction and anything associated, such as the timelines. You’re enjoying the activity and taking a much-needed break. That can give your mind time to recharge, and you might find gaming to be a fun pastime you hadn’t thought of much before.
Being able to temporarily disconnect from a stressful home environment can be easier with a game that has fun graphics and the ability to play it on a phone or tablet. That way, you can enjoy it on the go, rather than being stuck at the house all the time.
5. Get More Sleep
The reality is that when stressed, you’re less likely to sleep a lot. Perhaps you get to bed at a decent time at night but just find yourself lying there thinking about all the issues with the home reno. Or, you might DIY certain parts of the project, which means working late into the evening, and you’re so wound up by the end of it that you aren’t able to fall asleep.
Whatever the reason for it, you’re not getting enough shut-eye, and that’s a problem. It can lead you to feel tired and make for unsafe conditions if you’re working with power tools or behind the wheel of a car. You also risk getting sick because your body is run down.
So, make it a priority to get more sleep. That could involve making yourself get to bed at a certain time, turning off the computer an hour before bed as you start to wind down, or seeing your doctor for assistance with insomnia. When you get more sleep, you may wake up with more energy and ready to take on the day, feeling more in control than you might have been in a more tired state.
6. Exercise Time
Getting active can help in many ways during a tough time like the one you’re going through. Perhaps you go for a run, take a long walk, or try the treadmill at the local gym. There are lots of options, including yoga for a gentle workout.
Fitness helps by taking your mind off whatever is ruining the day as you focus on getting your heart rate up and your feet moving instead. Also, you are more likely to feel great after the workout, exhilarated that you finished it and glad you took some time for self-care.
As the feel-good endorphins ramp up during physical activity, you may see the day in a brighter light than before. Your brain’s chemicals are impacting your day, whether you realize it at the time or not. A great exercise session can also improve sleep for some people, so you would be helping yourself in a few ways, given we just talked about the importance of getting rest.
7. Get Creative
Creative hobbies can help you release tension and get your mind moving in new ways. That takes your thoughts off the stress and puts your focus instead on playing guitar, drawing, painting, or something else creative. You might just find a new hobby that you’re naturally great at.
You might start to journal, too. Putting your thoughts to paper, there are many things that can happen here. You might find that writing down what’s happening with the home improvement project and your related feelings brings you a lot of relief and that you’re able to troubleshoot better by organizing your thoughts on paper. Or, you might use the journal for creative writing.
Poetry, short stories, and other forms of creative writing can be fun ways to express yourself. Losing yourself in the written word can be therapeutic and calming for some people.
Conclusion: Surviving the Stress of Home Improvements
You can go beyond surviving and begin to thrive as you find ways to de-stress during this challenging period. While making changes to the home can be overwhelming, take comfort in knowing there is a time when it will be over. Making the effort to take breaks can help center you, whether that is playing electronic games, meeting friends, exercising, or trying the other suggestions above. That can make the renovation a more enjoyable process overall.