8 Ways To De-Stress Without Leaving The House

Feeling like the weight of the world is on your shoulders is never much fun. And even more so when your usual route for stress relief is off the table. Welcome to 2020.

But while you could wallow and make matters worse by thinking of all the things you can’t do, we’re all for flipping it around and seeing isolation as a unique opportunity to really relax.

So, get ready to change your mindset and discover new ways to achieve calm with these eight acts of self-care you can do at home.

1. Start a new series

A great TV show can be just as good of an escape as a holiday. No, really, we're serious.

With so many iconic series available via streaming services (hello 16 seasons of Grey’s Anatomy on Stan) becoming a surgical student, British time traveller, or hanging out in Central Perk can provide just as much escapism as a girl’s trip to Italy.

2. Spring clean

They say a chaotic space leads to a chaotic mind. And if you’ve found yourself working from home lately, you’ll know the clutter is real.

And for a lot of us, the COVID-19 experience has meant learning to live with only the essentials.

For a lot of us, the COVID-19 experience has allowed us to evaluate what’s truly important in our lives and as such, it presents the perfect opportunity to embrace a more minimalistic style of living. In other words: time for a spring clean.

If you need some motivation, do some Marie Kondo research before tackling what may be a huge job.

Image credit: @xoxotsumi

3. Guided meditations

Whether the internal chatter is getting too loud or the silence of lockdown is leaving you uncomfortable, meditation can offer an escape from both.

Try incorporating it into your morning or evening routine, beginning with a couple of minutes each day. From there, you can gradually build up to help improve focus, concentration and better self-awareness.

Meditation can even contribute to improved levels of self-control, aka ignoring any unwanted or stress-provoking thoughts and habits. Try apps Headspace or Keep It Cleaner.

Image credit: @keepitcleaner

4. Read

You know those books that have been piled up next to your bed collecting dust for months on end?

Now is the time to cosy up in a corner and work through them. Make it social and enlist friends, colleagues or family members to get involved and start a virtual book club.

Or better yet, join Reese Witherspoon’s (yep, she has her own online book club) where they pick a new book to read each month. Tell Reese we say hi.

Image credit: @pandorasykes

5. Gardening

There is something so satisfying about watching your plant babies flourish and grow – you don't even need a substantial garden or green thumb to participate.

Simply sprout your own seedlings in tiny pots, invest in an indoor plant or even start a mini herb garden on your kitchen window sill.

You’ll be amazed at the benefits a bit of greenery can have on your mindset.

In fact, gardening boasts an extensive list of mental health benefits including lowering levels of the stress hormone, cortisol.

Image credit: @olivecooke

6. Get artsy

You don’t need a big canvas and water colours to embrace your artistic side; something as simple as winding down with a colouring book will do the trick.

Yep, no longer just for kids, colouring books have become popular meditative activities for adults who are experiencing high levels of stress and anxiety.

They also provide a stimulating alternative to activities involving electronic devices, which in turn results in a better night sleep and an improvement in your ability to focus.

7. Learn a language

In anticipation for your next holiday (we can dream right?), try teaching your brain a new language.

You don’t have to be fluent, but a few phrases may come in handy, and will definitely earn you some smug productivity points.

Apps such as Babel and Duolingo allow you to take short lessons each day slowly building on your vocabulary, no Spanish tutor required.

8. Have an afternoon of pampering

We mean it. Go all out.

We’re talking manis, pedis, face masks, hair masks, a full body exfoliation, and hey, even a tan if you’re feeling it.

Light a candle or pop on some essential oils and create your own day-spa haven.

bh recommends: Jurlique Purifying Mask, Essano Rosehip Gentle Facial Exfoliator, Mavala Switzerland Arabesque Color Collection

Image credit: @theblondesalad

Main image credit: @w histling_thorn

Have you been feeling stressed lately? What are your go-to's to de-stress?

119 Member Comments

philippa495 23 May 2014 7:19 AM

A good cup of tea always helps!

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Chicklet 17 Jun 2013 9:16 AM

Love these ideas and product suggestions.

Jessica543 20 Feb 2013 1:08 AM

I love tea, I'm going to make one right now!

Angage 19 Feb 2013 11:25 AM

sleep can help too

FeatheredBeauty 16 Feb 2013 4:09 AM

Good tips. Tea always seems to help.

Blink182 5 Feb 2013 9:52 AM

A bath always helps with my axiety/stress!

leolibra 29 Jan 2013 10:12 AM

I like to get outside in my garden to de-stress, my little dog Miss Tilly enjoys it too.

manveen 6 Jan 2013 5:03 PM

great tips for any time of the year!

Linda_Vesinger 23 Dec 2012 5:37 AM

Great tips - my favourite way to de-stress is a full bath, a Lush bath bomb & 30 minutes plus of solitude with a glass of wine & a relaxing read. Nothing beats it

Shop A Everyday 22 Dec 2012 4:37 AM

sounds good to me

rosetea 20 Dec 2012 5:28 AM

Fantastic ideas! Love the Temple balm. Actually a nice cool bath on a hot summer's day is not only relaxing but refreshing too. Make sure to make it an aromatherapy bath and breathe the fragrance in deeply.
Moreover, when you're stressed it's actually harder to fall asleep. Camomile tea is very calming, along with Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime herbal tea is very soothing and the old standby, warm milk really works a wonder to prepare you for sleep in a nice, cool, darkened room.

Beautifulnightmarex 20 Dec 2012 2:25 AM

My quick little tip to destress is a lavender incense/candle/bath! And then afterwards lavender lotion massaged into the neck and shoulder area. it is divine!

kelleyley 20 Dec 2012 12:13 AM

shower and massage definately helps me to destress as well as getting enough shut eye

Estewart 19 Dec 2012 11:16 AM

Massage definitely helps! Have one booked for tomorrow to ease to pre christmas stress

Astrokat 19 Dec 2012 9:18 AM

I like to run a really hot bath, put some lovely fragranced oil in the water and read until the water cools, then rinse off in a nice cool shower.

Patricia 843 19 Dec 2012 6:47 AM

Sounds heavenly :)

Ssajwani 18 Dec 2012 1:44 PM

sounds like heaven!! i soak myself in hot bath with lavender oil in it.. or take a walk outside in the fresh air

MissChriss 18 Dec 2012 12:46 PM

My stress levels lately have reached their maximum point. I struggle to sleep and am on edge all the time.. I should try some of these relaxation aids... Here's to a less stressful Xmas and new year

jaimemakeup 18 Dec 2012 5:30 AM

I didn't know aveda made teas! During stressful times, the internet is my relaxation but if that doesn't work - a shower it is! Plus sleep and just generally lying in bed :)

Britty1 18 Dec 2012 3:34 AM

having a shower is a great tip - always works wonders for me. For the time im in there im able to tune out and just enjoy the heat and the sensation of the water surrounding me.... it feels like it washes my worries away. Then i get out and they all come back though :(

Bkz1 18 Dec 2012 2:41 AM

Good tips thank you

LovelyOne 18 Dec 2012 1:07 AM

Perfect advice for de-stressing! I love all 3 ideas.
I think about how lucky I am that I don't have to cook a whole meal for Christmas. My duties for both families (hubby's family & my family) are - bring 2 chooks for each family and a salad, packet of chips and lollies. Pretty easy! Normally we alternate lunch and dinner each year with each family (e.g. open pressies with hubby's family, go home change over pressies then go to my M&Ds for pressies and lunch, then back to hubby's family for dinner). But this year is less stressful. M&D want to do Christmas the weekend before so they can catch up with their group of friends on xmas day. This will definitely make it less stressful this year.

Annatahs 17 Dec 2012 11:51 PM

Haha... Watching Youtube videos makes me feel relaxed.

miss_matraville 17 Dec 2012 8:31 AM

I love watching beauty tutorials when I'm stressed, especially this time of year at work. Bring on the holidays :)

stackcats 17 Dec 2012 2:35 AM

I never feel stressed out by Xmas, it's supposed to be time for relaxing! Hubby and I always get the Xmas shopping done before Dec so there's never any rush for us

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