There are times in our lives that we walk into a place and immediately feel a sense of peace.
This one was totally unexpected; the apartment was on a busy road in a cluster development; fortunately on the edge of that development which borders on undeveloped land.
Further afield one sees rolling green hills, something Kwazulu Natal is famed for. These were sugarcane fields which slowly are being replaced by urban development.
It was a cloudy hazy day so one could not see further than the first hill.
I would also have chosen this apartment if I was buying here, as the one side looks out onto trees and dense foliage giving it the feel of being in a jungle.
The owners have turned this space into a tranquil haven with clever little touches - quaint artwork, plants and wooden screens and a large glass artwork is used to shut out the view onto the adjacent building.
A very wise lady with the wooden spoon saying 'My favourite thing to make for dinner is reservations,' we need to give ourselves a break now and then, something I do every so often, a grrreat guaranteed stress buster!
This patio has a small splash pool, just big enough for the family to cool down in Durban's hot and humid summers.
A wooden deck was added to extend the living area into an open area next to the city jungle.
Quaint unpretentious artwork everywhere adds the laidback feeling.
It's at times like we're all facing now, that we need to stand together and reach out to loved ones and those in need of a friendly smile, it costs nothing now, does it?
OK, so this is from a song with a different meaning but I interpret it differently and so does the owner who is a young cancer survivor; what is your interpretation?
SO why am I showing you decor items when we're talking stress busting?
Did you enjoy looking at these images? How did it make you feel?
Each one of us can turn our own homes or rooms into a tranquil haven where we can escape to all the time, by adding little touches like these.
It need not cost a fortune as I've discovered over the years by finding real treasures in charity shops, often original art like this one that would cost me an arm and a leg elsewhere!
Installing a bird bath and feeder will give you hours of pleasure and take your mind away from stressful situations as you start attracting more and more garden birds.
Build a small water feature if you can; there's nothing as soothing as listening to the sound of water trickling.
Plant fragrant shrubs or herbs close to your windows or in your window sill in pots if you have no garden. Lavender and Jasmine are delightful and calming fragrances.
Take mini breaks if you can, it can be just a day in the park or the beach with a picnic basket or even just a night away somewhere close to home that won't break the bank.
Try to make regular walks part of your routine, the benefits not only for mental health but also physical health, are amazing.
Put on soothing classical music or listen to some good old classics.
Start reading books again, and here I'm going to take the opportunity to tell you about two amazing self-help books by one of our very own, the author and poet 
The Perfect Pause - Meditating Your Way to the Ultimate You.
and
Mindful Moments - Living Your Best Life In Imperfect Times.
These two books are life-changing for sure; the author gave all of us here on Hive the opportunity to be part of the birth of Mindful Moments last year by being beta-readers.
That masterpiece when still in progress last year, can still be read here on Hive today, but better still, get yourself a copy of the book on Amazon, as both these books are something one can refer to and work through, over and over.
Meditation is the biggest gift we can give ourselves not only in times of stress, but also making this a daily practice which is guaranteed to make us become at ease with the world and become better versions of ourselves; this is taught by Eric in his first book and perfected by Mindful Moments.
I will end with an affirmation Eric recommends to be said after meditating, an extract from his poem:
Whisper words of sadness, release them from your soul.
Watch each sorrow take its flight, feel what it is to be whole.
Embrace the calm, revel in peace, absence of pain, all worries cease.
You deserve every happiness, you deserve to be free.
Whisper these words in perfect peace and you will forever after be.
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