Mindful and stress-free - how to build a daily mini-holiday without leaving home

How do you like to relax? Read a book, disappear into someone’s else world? A spot of yoga, allowing your mind to drift into nothingness? Or a hobby that absorbs your mind fully, like painting or learning an instrument, pushing all thoughts of work out of your head?

We know switching off from work is very important, allowing us to recharge and refresh, and avoid burnout. But leaving work behind by shutting the office door is less and less possible these days. Emails and messages follow us into the house on our phones and with more people working from home, the line between work and home life is blurred so much it’s practically non-existent.

And even home isn’t a complete sanctuary – there is the ever-present niggle that if there isn’t an urgent to-do task like cooking the dinner or getting ready for the school run, we should be tackling something else on the never-ending list, like defrosting the freezer or cleaning behind the fridge.

No wonder we cherish our holidays away from home when the pile of laundry or stain on the carpet are out of sight and out of mind, allowing us to unwind. But that’s only for a few weeks each year – what we really need is to be able to do is take a mini-holiday every day.

A change of our physical surroundings can really benefit our mental wellbeing. Going to a walk or taking part in a sport that gets you out of the house for an hour or so can do wonders for clearing the head.

But if your choice of relaxation is more indoors-orientated or if the winter months are making a walk look less appealing, a worthwhile investment could be a log cabin. You do need a garden but you don’t need vast amounts of space – leading supplier Dunster House has log cabins starting at just 3m by 2m.

That separate space means you can shut the door on the world and immerse yourself in a passion. Whether it’s furniture restoration or scrap-booking, make sure your space is designed for optimal levels of calm. Lots of natural light is great for soothing the brain as well making it a bright space for whatever activity you choose. Decorate in soft colours to continue to tranquil vibe and consider natural elements and materials, from houseplants to rattan rugs. And keep the space as clutter free as possible.

“A log cabin gives you that little escape just a few steps from your back door,” says Alex Murphy, owner of Dunster House. “Whether you use it as a gym, a studio, or just somewhere quiet to read, it’s your own space to switch off. I think having somewhere separate from the house really helps people slow down and be present — it’s like having a little retreat without having to go anywhere."

And of course when you’re not using it, your log cabin can be a cosy retreat for other members of the family – just make sure they leave it in a beautifully serene state for the next time you need it.

Read more about how one woman turned her log cabin into a crafter’s paradise here.

To find out more about Dunster House and its products click here.