Warning: Your Home Might Be Making Your Anxiety Worse

I Had No Idea My Home Was Stressing Me Out — Until This Happened. When a nutritionist came over to help me with my kitchen cleanse she said and I quote "how do you find anything?' My home is small and we had to get creative. She said, " you know Teri, your home could be causing you and your family stress or making anxiety worse. And so it started!!

There’s something really special about walking into your home and instantly feeling your whole body relax. Not because it’s perfect, not because it looks like a magazine, but because it doesn't feel heavy. A home can either add to your stress or help release it, and after going through so many seasons of chaos, caregiving, illness, and overwhelm, I learned firsthand how deeply your environment affects your peace.

My home wasn’t always calming. For a long time, it was full of stuff and things I didn’t even realize were draining me. I would find things that I thought would fit and eventually it became a mish mash of stuff everywhere albeit pretty stuff but stuff all the same. I just lived around it, too busy surviving to pay attention. But when life started demanding more from me emotionally and physically, I realized something had to shift. Maybe I was shopping to fill a void I couldn't figure out. Maybe I just wanted to have whatever I wanted because that was not always the case. But, if I wanted my home to be calming, I had some work to do.

I did some research. I researched color, organizational systems and so much more and I came across a few things that resonated with me. One was If you need storage to store things you have too many things. And 2nd was when I had to move my elderly mom. I learned about what was called the Swedish Death Cleanse. And honestly it changed my life!! This is a practice of getting rid of things and getting things in order in case you leave this earth. It seriously, has changed my life!!! I am still getting rid of things and only hanging on to things I can see and that truly bring calm peace and happiness to our family.

And the truth is, creating a peaceful home starts with intention and a willingness to let your home reflect the version of you you’re growing into. My family was growing into peace and calm.

The first step is deciding how you want your home to feel—not look, but feel. I had already figured that out. But maybe you have a different goal in mind for your home? Do you want lightness? Warmth? Softness? Calm? Cozy comfort? Or maybe you like a lot of things more eclectic and lived in. For me, I wanted my home to feel like a big snuggle, a space where I could set everything down and just be. Once you know the feeling you’re creating, everything else becomes easier.

I jumped in with both feet and I have been decluttering, tossing away and redoing so much and cleaning in the process. I am organizing documents I never want to lose. I am even creating a box named in case of my death. This is so someone has all the information they may need to close bank accounts, and take care of other things.

So before you add anything beautiful, or contribute to the chaos, you have to clear what feels heavy. A calming home isn’t built on décor; it’s built on space. I started removing the things that stressed me out FIRST, the items tied to old versions of myself, the clutter on the counters, the objects I didn’t love but felt guilty giving up. And I didn't do it all at once—just a drawer here, a corner there. Every little bit caused a tiny shift and created room for peace to settle in.

From there, choosing soft, calming colors made such a difference. Colors that whisper rather than shout. Warm whites, creams, sand tones, soft blushes, muted greens. I kept one jewel-toned accent color, but other than that, it is much softer. The muted soft colors are gentle on the eyes and instantly soothing. When your home is filled with colors that feel peaceful, even a simple room becomes comforting.

One of the most powerful things you can do is create what I call “calm zones.” These are small areas that stay clear and simple so your eyes can rest. A coffee table with just a minimal object and a book. A kitchen counter with one beautiful bowl. A nightstand with a lamp and one photo you love. Tiny pockets of calm that balance out the busier parts of life.

Lighting transforms everything. I traded harsh overhead lights for warm lamps and soft glows. I am not a fan of candles so I added artificial candles and gentle accent lights that gave rooms a welcoming warmth. The lighting in your home sets the emotional temperature—cool and bright feels stressful, while warm and layered feels comforting.

Even scent makes a difference. A hint of lavender, vanilla, eucalyptus, or clean citrus can completely shift the mood of a room. Your home should smell like peace the moment you walk through the door.

And then there’s the practical side: letting your home work with your life instead of against it. Finding a home for the things you always drop in the same spot, creating systems that flow with your routines instead of becoming chores. When your home supports the way you naturally move, everything feels calmer.

Over time, I realized my home didn’t need to impress anyone. It needed to support me and my family. It needed to reflect who I was becoming after everything I had lived through. My environment needed to be a partner in my healing, not another source of stress. And little by little, room by room, corner by corner, it became exactly that.

You deserve a home that feels calming, safe, and beautiful in the ways that matter to you. Everyone should create a space that lets you breathe, slow down, and reconnect with yourself. And it just takes small, thoughtful steps and the belief that your peace is worth creating.

Your home can become your sanctuary. It can become the place where your nervous system settles, where your heart relaxes, where you feel held. And it starts with just one gentle change.

I'm not gonna lie—it takes time to get rid of so many things you accumulated. But oh so worth it I will do a whole video about the Swedish Death Cleanse and I will include what was hard for me as I go through it. So stop by for that too.