How to Reduce Household Tension in the Age of COVID-19

Last updated on February 11, 2022

While preventing the spread of COVID-19 is the best way to keep you and your loved ones healthy, spending more time at home continues to be challenging and can take a mental health toll on many families. 

Does your family need a way to relieve some tension and inject some happiness and healing into your home? Here are some ways you can alleviate some of the most common household isolation stressors.

Create Routines

Make sure to stick to routines that help you and your kids keep focus and move throughout the day. Morning routines for meals and work are crucial for a positive work-life balance but also create routines that promote togetherness and fun, like a family game or movie night.

Get Active

Physical exercise can be quite a stress-reliever. Whether you can get out for a jog, enjoy an exercise class at home, or even practice yoga in a quiet space, moving your body can help naturally relieve stress.

Clear the Air

Release negative energy from your home with a regular decluttering routine and cleansing ritual. Redfin recommends ways to deal with the clutter, criticism, and negativity from your home so you can keep things happy and healthy.

Literally, Clear the Air

Indoor air quality is important for everyone. To ensure your air is rid of allergens and particulates, regularly replace your HVAC filters. Keep your chimney in mind too. If you use a wood-burning fireplace, have your chimney cleaned annually, especially as we move into the winter months. Local chimney sweeps can expertly remove debris and soot build-up. Search for nearby pros with great ratings and customer testimonials through a site like Angi. 

Give Space

Make sure everyone has a space that is all theirs — a place they can go to when they need to be alone or take some time to unwind. When tensions run high, a spot where you can listen to your music, read a book, or unwind uninterrupted can help de-escalate highly charged and emotional situations.

Have adventures

Just because you are spending more time at home doesn’t mean you can’t have adventures. Many world-famous museums are still hosting free virtual tours, so you can take a trip to the Louvre without even leaving your home. If you do want to leave, rent a cabin in the woods and go for a hike or explore the countryside from your car. You can stay distant and still get outside if you play it smart and safe.

Learn a New Skill

Whether you decide to learn a new language, start scrapbooking or play an instrument, bonding while learning a new skill can help your family shake up the doldrums of isolation. Being productive and learning a new family hobby, individually or as a unit, can help deflect their focus off stressful situations and on to something new. 

Everyone is feeling the impact of COVID-19. No matter how you deal with stress in your home, take proactive steps to address tension before it becomes too challenging. These times can be traumatizing, but they can also be healing.