Blinds & Shutters - Issue 2-2023

MARKETING
Stress free solutions
Interior design
experts reveal how
to create a stressfree
home
With April soon approaching and it
being Stress Awareness month it’s
important to spotlight the important
of good mental health and looking after your
physical well-being whilst at home. Interior design
experts from Hovia have researched and
recommended top tips on how to change your
home up to gain a more stress-free home.
Relieving stress at bedtime
Whether you are feeling too stressed to sleep
or stressed out from the lack of sleep – it's best
to create complete darkness while you sleep to
get a better sleeping pattern and relaxation.
UDesign stated that in the UK a staggering 70%
of us sleep less than 7 hours per night, which is
an important statistic as even half an hour less
sleep than needed, can be detrimental to your
health as it has a cumulative effect. Sleep
Foundation have researched that sleeping in
darkness can help stimulate the production of
melatonin which is a hormone that helps you fall
asleep quicker. There are many benefits to a good
sleep not just reduced stress such as being more
motivated, alert and boosted immunity.
One of the best tips to getting a good night's
sleep is investing in blackout blinds, shutters or
curtains to create the darkest bedroom possible.
Picking a wallpaper or paint colour that is a cool
or neutral colour like blues, greens and greys can
reduce your heart rate, lower your blood
pressure and slow down your breathing rate. To
create a more relaxing environment to encourage
sleep, use diffusers or essential oils to fill your
bedroom with smells like lavender. In the summer
months use a quiet fan or wool duvet to prevent
overheating at night.
Stress-free zone
Updating an unused corner, to create a new
stress-free space for yourself is an easy and
satisfying way update to your room, and it will
give you a designated space to unwind. For
example, using this space for a yoga or meditation
area can manage your stress, reduce negative
emotions, increase creativity, also motivate you to
adapt a daily habit.
You can design a new environment through
different decorations and can separate the room
by trying a new calming wallpaper or paint colour.
An alternative is investing in a room separator, to
really give your corner a new space to relax in.
Keeping the space tidy and clutter free will also
keep you less stressed and more productive. A tip
to incorporate mood lighting is a great way to
create a relaxing atmosphere.
Relaxed in nature
Nature or elements that remind you of nature,
such as a plant wallpaper, can really add some
great benefits to your indoor space. The
University of Exeter have researched by bringing
plant elements into your daily life can massively
boost your wellbeing by 47%, creativity by 45%
and productivity by 38%. Other positive impacts
also include the reducing risk of psychiatric
disorders and reducing our cortisol levels,
allowing better recovery from stress.
Light therapy
Wherever and as much as possible, in your
home or office, turn off those fluorescent lights
and let in the natural sunlight in through the
windows. Dako Windows researched that the
exposure to natural light helps our bodies not
only produce Vitamin D but also positively effects
circadian rhythms, sleeping patterns, motivation
and has proven to improve our mood and
happiness.
Hanging a mirror on a wall opposite a window
produces more light within the room or
painting/wallpapering your walls and ceilings in
white to brighten up the room.
Good view, good mood
In your office or home, try to get a good and
unobstructed view of some form of nature or
nature experience. According to Chromogenics,
it has proven to have positive health effects such
as being more creative, energised, less stressed
and productive. It is also has been researched
that you are less likely to take sick days from
work.
24 Blinds & Shutters • ISSUE TWO 2023