How to Make Your Home a Sanctuary

The key to work-home harmony is having the ability to successfully disengage from work, transition, and then re-engage between work and home environments.

I often hear things like “I can’t turn off work” or “I can’t relax when I get home”, statements that reflect difficulty recovering from the effects of stress and hypervigilance during the work day.

Home can become a sanctuary through:

• Developing work-home transitions that allow for disengagement from work, transition into other roles and spaces through recovery and resetting the mind and body, and re-engagement into home-mode.

• Develop work-home boundaries, such as limiting access to email, or creating safe spaces to rehash stressors from the day that is physically outside of the home and is time-limited.

• Decluttering and organizing spaces, especially spaces used for rest or relaxation.

• Decorating spaces to have function, comfort, and meaning.

• Stocking the refrigerator and cabinets with food and snacks that you enjoy.

• Planning positive and memorable experiences with supportive and loved ones in the home.

It is impossible to experience work-home harmony if neither work nor home offers chances to recharge from stress. We often cannot control much at work, but we can exert control over our homes. If you are interested in obtaining a professional opinion about making your home into a sanctuary, contact us today.

-Dr. Jena Casas, Ph.D.