Welcome back to Kirsty’s Home Hints, your go-to guide for all things home related!

Amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life, creating a peaceful and relaxing space at home is so important. A study by the Mental Health Organisation on ‘Mental Health and Nature’ links spending time in green spaces with reduced mental health problems, improved mood, reduced stress levels and increased life satisfaction.

As April marks Stress Awareness Month, there’s no better time to start transforming your Yorkshire Country Properties garden into a stress-free haven. Did you know that homeowners tend to have lower stress levels than renters? Here at YCP, we aim to sprinkle even more zen into your life! This starts with us installing your turf before you move into your YCP home* – there’s no need to wait until the right time of year, outsource a landscaper or set aside any extra money for it! To make things even better, your patio area and outside lighting will also be ready when you move in!

From growing your own food to practicing outdoor yoga, I’m here to share my tips on how to turn your YCP garden into your own outdoor oasis.

How to turn your garden into a stress-free haven

Engage Your Senses

Incorporating sensory elements can transform your garden into a relaxing sanctuary. I particularly like adding fragrant flowers like lavender or jasmine for calming aromas, and wind chimes or water features for tranquil background noise. Engaging all of your senses can create an escape from the stress of day-to-day life.

Grow Your Own Food

Growing food in your garden nourishes your body and de-stresses the mind. I love to plant herbs such as basil or mint (they’re perfect to add to cocktails during summer BBQs!) Why not follow Stress Awareness Month 2024’s theme of ‘Little by Little’ and start with a few simple options to avoid getting overwhelmed. The sense of achievement you’ll feel when tasting your home-grown produce will definitely boost your mood!

Here are a few easy things to grow in your garden:

1. Beetroot

2. Tomatoes

3. Beans - Runner/French

4. Salad leaves

Welcome Wildlife into your Garden

Making your space inviting for wildlife brings wonderful creatures into your garden and contributes to the local eco-system. Here at YCP, we’ve already made our gardens hedgehog-friendly by adding 13cm hedgehog highways to all of our garden fences in a vital attempt to safeguard the species. Hedgehogs travel approximately one mile each night through parks and gardens to find food and a friend, so we are proud to support the Hedgehog Highway initiative, led by the People’s Trust for Endangered Species and the British Hedgehog Preservation Society.

Installing bird feeders and birdbaths provides nourishment for feathered friends, whilst offering amazing sights and sounds for you – so, why not support local organisation, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, by purchasing one of their bird feeders? Taking a moment to observe the wildlife that visits your garden will provide the perfect distraction from the stresses of life. Plus, who doesn’t want to wake up to the sound of birdsong on a sunny spring morning?

Get Comfy and Cosy

Creating a relaxing space is essential for maximising your garden’s stress-relieving potential. Invest in comfortable garden furniture that suits your personal style and needs, such as cushioned chairs and sofas to ensure optimal cosiness when hosting family and friends. I think adding snug blankets and solar-powered lighting is a great idea as it extends outdoor fun well into the evening – garden party, anyone? Another bonus is that its eco-friendly!

How to de-stress in your garden

Practice Garden Yoga

As a yoga lover and teacher, I wholeheartedly advocate for practicing yoga in your garden (when the British weather permits!), as it offers a multitude of physical and mental health benefits. Connecting with nature helps you relax and feel more grounded, due to the surrounding greenery and flowers creating a sense of serenity which is unique to the outdoors. Basking in the sunshine while practicing yoga boosts your vitamin D levels, ultimately supporting immunity and bone health. Additionally, being outdoors naturally stimulates your endorphins, which, combined with the ones produced during exercise, sets the tone for a fantastic day!

Spend Time with Family and Friends

Hosting family and friends for quality outdoor time is even more of a delight in the spacious layout of a YCP home. The bi-fold French doors connect the open-plan kitchen to the garden, creating an inviting atmosphere for social gatherings. With ample room for you and your loved ones, your YCP garden is the perfect place to host – whether it’s a family fun day, boozy BBQ or a relaxing evening under the stars.

Ground Yourself with Mindful Moments

The act of mindfulness is simply being more aware of your surroundings and feelings - it has been endorsed by the NHS as a useful tool to combat mental health struggles. For me, the perfect space to practice mindfulness in is my garden. I can take in my surroundings, breathe in the fresh air and let my stress slip away as I focus on the present. I will touch on the benefits of gardening shortly, but it is a fantastic form of mindful movement which grounds your body and creates a deep connection between you and the earth.

Give DIY a go

Are you a dab hand at DIY? Why not try to build your own seating area, which you can tailor to suit your personal taste and needs. You could even build a pergola – perfect for when the British weather is not on our side, but you still want to reap the stress-busting benefits of getting outdoors! Imagine sitting under it and unwinding after a long hard day, or in contrast, using it as a platform to kick-start your day with an exercise session.

Take Up Gardening

Getting your green gloves on can have considerable benefits for your mental health. Gardening triggers the release of serotonin and endorphins, known as the “feel-good” hormones, which boost your mood and increase your overall mental wellbeing. Studies conducted by the Mental Health Organisation have linked gardening to improved quality of life, mood and a greater sense of community connection. While I’ve already highlighted the benefits of growing your own food and adding bird feeders to your garden, don’t underestimate the benefits of simple tasks like weeding, watering or cutting the grass. So, why not treat yourself to a relaxing trip down to the garden centre and have a mooch around the aisles of pots, seeds and plants?

Are you a green fingered pro? Share pictures using the hashtag #kirstyshomehints and inspire others to have a go!

Unwind in the Garden

Have you ever felt your stress melt away when you step into the garden? Relaxing in the garden offers an escape and a moment to yourself amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life. Whether you’re lounging on your comfy garden furniture and breathing in the fresh air or reading a book with your favourite songs playing in the background, a YCP garden is the perfect setting to unwind, whatever the size! As you immerse yourself in the peace of the outdoors, you’ll feel renewed, refreshed and ready to face what the day may bring.

With a bit of time and TLC, you can transform your YCP garden into a stress-free haven – and you’ll be well set for a fantastic, peaceful summer! Don’t forget to follow this year’s Stress Awareness Month theme: ‘Little by Little.’ There’s no need to complete all of these suggestions at once - instead, you could try one transformation and one de-stressing task per month. By doing it ‘Little by Little’, you’ll witness the transformation of your garden and hopefully notice a reduction in your stress levels by the end of the summer.

If you want to find out more about why a Yorkshire Country Properties home would be a perfect fit for you, why not visit our Experience Hub to chat to myself or my sales team colleagues? We’re here from 10am-5pm, seven days a week.

*Excludes starter homes.

With a bit of time and TLC, you can transform your YCP garden into a stress-free haven – and you’ll be well set for a fantastic, peaceful summer! Don’t forget to follow this year’s Stress Awareness Month theme: ‘Little by Little.’ There’s no need to complete all of these suggestions at once - instead, you could try one transformation and one de-stressing task per month. By doing it ‘Little by Little’, you’ll witness the transformation of your garden and hopefully notice a reduction in your stress levels by the end of the summer.

If you want to find out more about why a Yorkshire Country Properties home would be a perfect fit for you, why not visit our Experience Hub to chat to myself or my sales team colleagues? We’re here from 10am-5pm, seven days a week.

*Excludes starter homes.