Bringing Calm to Your Backyard: Simple Ways to Make Your Patio a Relaxing Haven

Even if you’re not a nature person, your outdoor space is a great way to get a breath of fresh air and log off for a while. By designing an outdoor space that meets your needs, you may even find yourself enjoying nature more. Spending time outside has a lot of benefits. Fresh air can improve blood flow and brain function. The sights and sounds of flora and fauna can increase happiness hormones like serotonin and dopamine. Your outdoor space can provide a distraction and break from the daily stresses of life. The sun itself can provide essential nutrients like Vitamin D. If you’re wondering how to get the most relaxation benefits from your home’s yard or patio, then the first step is to learn what commonly creates feelings of relaxation in nature.

Comfortable Furniture

The easiest way to make your yard more relaxing is to provide a way to sit and enjoy it. You’ll want to consider comfort over aesthetics, but a decent balance of both can make your patio really enjoyable. If you find the most comfort in lounging, consider adding some lounge chairs, a long couch, or even a hammock to your yard setup. If you prefer to sit or prop your legs up, purchase chairs with foot stools or furniture that reflects your favorite way to relax. You can even sit on the ground in front of a low table if you’d prefer. Add a small side table or dining table to enjoy a beverage or plug in outside, too. Test out any furniture you buy to ensure maximum comfort.

Water Features

The sound and sight of water can provide a natural relaxation source. Waterfalls, streams, ponds, fountains, or even simple deer scares can help immerse you in nature further when you spend time outside. You can purchase a fountain or water feature or build one yourself if you have the time and skill set. Trickling or running water adds immense value to to the other sounds of nature.

Accessible Pathways

Outdoor spaces are much more enjoyable and accessible with defined paths and walkways to visit different parts of the yard. If you have a butterfly garden in one corner, a fish pond in the middle, and a zen garden in the other corner, connecting pathways make them easier to visit without disturbing the lawn or flowerbeds. Paths don’t need to be major construction projects, either. I found some affordable mulch for sale near me and used it to define paths through my yard. You can also use stepping stones, gravel, sand, or even concrete. Any material can make decent pathways through your outdoor space. Gravel, sand, and mulch are quite affordable, too. A peaceful walk through the garden is much easier with defined paths; they can make the garden more beautiful, too.

Sensory Gardens

A yard is an excellent place for a personal, private garden you can relax in. You can plant trees and flowers that light up your senses to improve mindfulness and grounding techniques. Mindfulness involves focusing on the present moment instead of past or future stresses or hardships, and sensory involvement is a major aspect of grounding yourself in the present. Plant life offers many textures, sights, smells, and sounds to help distract you from stress. Plant a variety of plants and flowers to harness their ability to ground you. Pleasant sights and smells that flowers bring can also relax you and improve your mood.

Shade Options

There will be many times when the sun is a little too bright and warm. Shade is a great way to block out excess heat and light from the sun while still enjoying the benefits of that giant star in the sky. Natural shade from a large bush or tree can add to the feeling of immersion, but a patio umbrella, gazebo, or pergola works excellently as well. All of these shade options can add some charming decor to your outdoor space as a serotonin-boosting bonus!

Windchimes and Spinners

You can harness natural resources like the wind to improve enrichment in your yard. Hanging windchimes will allow you to hear beautiful sounds, chimes, and tones as the wind blows through your hair, relaxing and calming you. Wind spinners or pinwheels can provide visual enrichment as they spin with the wind. Wind decor can significantly improve an outdoor space; give some options a try!

Natural Materials

Decorating your space with natural materials like plants, wood, stones, water, and sand can help immerse you in nature. Wood furniture and features are beautiful additions to any outdoor space, too. They’re also sustainable and eco-friendly, as they occur naturally. Natural materials won’t have any harmful toxins or fumes to disrupt your enjoyment of fresh air, either.

Wildlife Sanctuary

If you’re a fan of watching animals, you may want to add some flowers and feeders that attract wildlife like birds, bees, butterflies, and squirrels. These animals are harmless and can provide great entertainment as you relax outside. Bird feeders and trees can attract beautifully vibrant, singing birds. Bees and butterflies are colorful and improve the ecosystem around us. Squirrels and rabbits are charming and fun to watch. All animals in your backyard play an important role in preserving nature, and you can too.

Privacy

It can be difficult to find quiet moments alone in a busy house or with a bustling career. Consider constructing some fencing, trees, or hedges to block out neighbors or traffic to enjoy your outdoor space better. In a private, quiet space, you can relax, medidate, and ground yourself much easier. Immersion in nature is key to creating a quiet retreat.

Photo by Joel Clements on Unsplash