Is Your Home Adding to Your Stress?

Home is meant to be our sanctuary, a place where we unwind, feel safe, and restore our energy. But what if the very space we live in is quietly turning up the volume on our stress?

If you’ve ever felt inexplicably drained after a day indoors, struggled to fall asleep despite feeling tired, or found yourself unusually irritable while at home, you’re not alone. The culprit might not be your workload or your hormones. It could be your living environment.

Today, let’s explore how clutter, lighting, and noise in your home may be overstimulating your nervous system, spiking cortisol levels, and subtly impacting your sleep, mood, and overall wellbeing.

Clutter isn't just an eyesore, it’s a stress signal

When your brain sees a disorganised room (like piles of laundry, scattered papers, or random clutter), it registers it as “unfinished business.” This creates a low-level, constant background stress that keeps your body in a mild fight-or-flight state. That messy bench? It might actually be fuelling your anxiety even if you’ve trained yourself to ignore it.

Decluttering isn’t about being perfectly oganised. It’s about creating visual calm. Even tackling one small zone, a bedside table, a kitchen corner, can signal safety and order to your brain.

Artificial lighting is hijacking your sleep hormones

Overhead lighting that’s too bright or too cool-toned (think harsh white LEDs) can confuse your circadian rhythm. Your brain interprets these lights as daylight, which delays melatonin release and interferes with restful sleep.

Try using warmer bulbs in the evening and rely more on lamps than ceiling lights. Bonus points if you switch off bright screens 1–2 hours before bed. It’s not just sleep hygiene, it’s nervous system support.

Background noise wears down your resilience

Most of us have gotten used to constant low-level noise: traffic, appliances humming, neighbours talking, TV on in the background. But your nervous system never fully tunes it out. It remains “on alert,” filtering and reacting to all that stimulation.

Even if you think it’s not bothering you, your body may be experiencing a subtle stress response. Try introducing intentional silence for part of your day. Use noise-cancelling headphones if needed or listen to calming background sounds like rainfall or soft ambient music to soothe your nervous system.

Too many colours, too much stimulation

Colour has a direct impact on mood. Bright reds, oranges, and intense patterns in your home can be energising but also overstimulating if used too widely. The nervous system thrives in spaces that use calming hues: soft greens, warm neutrals, gentle blues.

You don’t need a full redesign. Even small changes like swapping out one loud piece of art for a more soothing print, or changing cushion covers can help create a sense of emotional ease.

Scents can uplift…or agitate

Scent is processed in the limbic system, the part of your brain that handles emotion and memory. Overpowering or synthetic fragrances (from air fresheners or harsh cleaning products) can unknowingly elevate anxiety levels.

Switch to essential oils like lavender, neroli, or sandalwood or open a window to allow fresh air in.

Your nervous system prefers natural input over chemical overload.

Unmade beds and chaotic mornings set the tone

The first thing you see and feel when you wake up often dictates the tone of your day. An unmade bed, messy floor, or clothes everywhere can create a sense of overwhelm before you’ve even had coffee.

Making your bed takes two minutes and sends a clear signal to your brain: “We’re starting with order.” It gives your mind a small win, and that matters more than it sounds.

Overdecorated spaces leave no breathing room

While personalised décor is lovely, spaces with too many decorative items can feel heavy and visually chaotic. If every surface is packed with things to look at, your mind has no rest spots.

Try creating “white space” or breathing room areas of your home with minimal objects, soft textures, and open surfaces. These allow your nervous system to exhale.

Unclear boundaries between work and rest

Working from home has blurred the lines between “on” and “off.” If your workspace is your bedroom, or your laptop lives on your couch, your body never truly switches out of productivity mode.

Create boundaries. Even if it’s a tiny desk or a designated chair, let that be your “work zone.” Then, when you move away from it, allow your brain to enter rest mode. This helps regulate cortisol and improves sleep quality.

Lack of natural elements creates disconnection

Humans evolved with nature, not drywall.

A home completely cut off from natural textures and elements can feel sterile and subtly disconnecting.

Bring nature in with a pot plant, wooden furniture, natural fabrics like linen or wool. Touching or even just seeing these elements can ground your nervous system and lower stress markers.

Emotional clutter is just as real

Sometimes, it’s not the physical things. It’s the emotional energy attached to your home - unfinished arguments, bad memories, that one room you avoid because it stresses you out.

Try shifting the energy with fresh flowers, moving furniture, or even just opening windows and playing soothing music. Small rituals can help your home feel lighter, safer, and more aligned with who you are now.

Your home doesn't have to be a magazine spread. But if you start noticing how your space makes you feel, and make small tweaks to support calm and clarity, your nervous system will thank you.

Until next week wish you peace in your space.

The information provided in this newsletter is for general guidance and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your health and wellness routine.

Wishing you good health,

The Wellness Valet Team

Recipe of the Week: Zesty Herb-Rubbed Chicken Thighs with Roasted Veggies

Ingredients:

• 4 skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 garlic clove, minced

• Zest of 1 lemon

• 1 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped

• 1 tsp thyme leaves

• Sea salt and pepper to taste

• 1 cup chopped carrots

• 1 cup baby potatoes, halved

• 1 red onion, quartered

• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

Method

• Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).

• Mix olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper into a paste. Rub it generously over the chicken thighs.

• In a baking dish, toss the vegetables with a drizzle of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper.

• Nestle the chicken thighs among the veg.

• Roast for 35–40 minutes, until the chicken is golden and cooked through, and the veggies are tender.

• Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

This is a comforting, nourishing meal packed with flavour, ideal for winding down after a busy day.