Family life can become rushed…and the more rushed it becomes the more stressful it feels. Unfortunately, that’s the mode of our world today—rushed and stressed. But you can make your home different. You can incorporate some simple practices in your home that make it a place of respite, connection, and calm. Let me offer a few ideas and you can add more if you like.

• Take a lesson from your dog. Know what’s nice about a dog. When you’re getting ready to leave, they walk you to the door and “ask” for a little affection before you go. When you come home, they come running to greet you. They may even be waiting at the door for you. It may sound strange, but apply that to your family. When your spouse or children get ready to leave for the day, imitate your dog. Walk over and offer a little physical affection, a loving “see you later, have fun, I’ll see you when you get back.” When someone comes home, greet them. Get up and give them a hug. Have a brief interaction. You don’t need to wag your tail because all your family really needs is your affection and the acknowledgement that they are important in your life. They need to know that you look forward to your time together, that they will be on your mind while they’re away. The lesson from your dog teaches us a simple way to make that known.
• Snuggle up. Not only is physical affection a powerful emotional medicine, it has positive physical effects as well. A genuine hug releases oxytocin and endorphins. So, take the opportunity to share some physical affection. You can give a quick hug, a kiss, or a fist bump. You might hold hands, put an arm on a shoulder, or give a high five. These momentary physical connections add up to emotional connection and a sense of belonging.
• Remember when…. It’s always fun to remember fun times, challenging times, or times of accomplishment as a family. Remember those moments when you acted together. As you recall those moments, you will laugh as family. You will feel the same sense of accomplishment and joy. Even more, you will connect with one another again. You will relax into the family in which you share stories of adventure, fun, challenge, and belonging.
• Pump up the adrenaline. Engage in a little high-energy fun with your children and family. You might enjoy hide-and-seek, a sporting game, dancing, or just “wrestling around.” Whatever you choose, get active for a little while every day with your family. Enjoy fast-paced, playful interactions that elicit laughter while burning off energy. You’ll even find they burn off some bad moods.
• Slow it down. Make time to enjoy peaceful interactions with your family as well. Calm ways of connecting with your children and family might include reading aloud, eating a meal together, enjoying quiet time before bed sharing the day’s events and moments of gratitude. Slowing down times can be especially beneficial during a bedtime routine. 
• Add a soundtrack or two. Pick out your favorite songs and play them during any of the times above. Play some “peppy,” active songs while you “pump up the adrenaline” and calmer, quieter songs when you “slow it down.” You might even have a particular song or two that you like as you “remember when” your family shares various memories. You might even try singing together. Music always adds joy to the moment. As an additional benefit, it’s harder to be argumentative and crabby when everyone is enjoying a good song.

What would you add to this list of ideas for enhancing connection and respite in your home?