Backyard renovations are helping homeowners deal with the pandemic
With everyone at home more than ever before, and public pools posing a potential health risk—this has been the summer of installing your own pool at home. Renovating your backyard is always a smart idea when you own a home, and the pandemic has only increased interest in turning one’s own property into a place where you can privately entertain friends and family.
Why people are turning to their backyard for a vacation-escape
Read More: BUILDING YOUR DREAM GETAWAY IN YOUR BACKYARD
Break from reality
The risk of going elsewhere to take a typical vacation are all but out the window this year, so having your own pool provides an easy opportunity to escape from the stress of the current world with zero risk to your health.
Break from family
When everyone is home all the time, it’s easy to start to drive each other crazy. Having a backyard pool is the ultimate escape when your kids and fighting and no one seems to have enough space or privacy.
Control in a difficult situation
When everything feels entirely out of control, it’s comforting to have one aspect of your life where you can easily have complete control. Backyard renovations are a safe option during the pandemic, allowing you to have complete control over the design of your home.
Activities
With amusement parks, theatres and most summer camps out of the question this year, having a pool is an easy backyard activity that keeps on giving all season long.
Privacy and security
When you’re spending so much more time entertaining at home instead of in public, the realization that you might not have as much privacy as you’d like becomes crystal clear. Taking this newfound extra time at home to make your backyard space into a private place to entertain will reap value on your home for the long term.
Funds available (not spending on travel, etc.)
When you’re not spending your vacation fund because travel isn’t safe, that frees up those funds for other projects. This has led to unprecedented home renovations this year.
Return on investment
Because your home is an investment that continually grows in value, investing more money in making it extra special always pays off in the end.
Mental health benefits of swimming
There’s also the fact that, in the midst of a traumatic pandemic, swimming and physical activity provide serious mental health benefits.
Releases endorphins and serotonin
Any form of exercise releases endorphins, which are the feel-good hormone that your brain produces in response to stress and pain. It works as a natural pain reliever, and the more you exercise, the more your brain produces, helping mitigate stress responses long term.
Reduces stress
All those endorphins naturally reduce your feelings of stress, allowing you to enjoy an activity that shuts your brain down and requires you to be present in your body.
Reduces anxiety
Levels of anxiety are unprecedented because of the pandemic, and physical activity naturally reduces these feelings. Taking time away from your phone and computer and TV to do something that doesn’t require a screen will always help reduce feelings of anxiety.
Calming
When you take time for yourself to do something just for you, something that benefits your body and allows you to relax, it has plentiful calming effects. What is more relaxing than floating in a pool with a drink in hand on a sunny day?
Boosts blood flow and brain health
Studies have shown that just the act of immersing yourself in water increases blood flow to the brain, which improves mood, memory, concentration and cognitive function.
Breathing regulation
Breath regulation is the most important part of swimming. You have to take deep breaths in order to hold your breath longer underwater. So the more you swim, the stronger your lungs are, and the more you’re able to control your breath, which helps prevent the shallow breathing that can lead to panic attacks.
Time for yourself
A dip in the pool is a great way to take a break from work, family and the stresses of the day. It is purely a time you dedicate to yourself, which is always great for your mental health.
Space from work/other stressors
Because it is an important space where you can go to get away from work, even when you’re working from home, it helps to break up the day and provide a reprieve from the workday.
“Blue Mind” science
This is the term that refers to how humans immediately feel calm around bodies of water. The colour blue is known to create feelings of wellness, and the science attributes this to the fact that humans are made up of 70% water, and 75% of the earth is covered in water.
Why homeowners need to act fast
Schedules are becoming limited
Having a pool installed during a busy summer season may take longer than it normally would, as construction teams are busier than ever.
Materials in limited supplies (shipping limitations, selling out, etc.)
With demand being higher than ever, it’s not as easy to get what you want as soon as you want it.
Costs may be affected due to limited stock
With stock being more limited and in higher demand, prices may be higher than usual. Be prepared for the extra cost.
At the end of the day, everyone has found their own way to handle this very particular year, and backyard renovations are a great option that will keep on giving long after the pandemic runs its course.
Bert Minor has been a part of the landscaping business for nearly twenty years and has gained an excellent reputation as an innovative and creative designer. In fact, several of his designs and projects have been featured in industry supplier magazines. An active and contributing member of the industry, Bert sat on various boards including the Ottawa Chapter of Landscape Ontario and the Landscape Ontario Provincial Construction Committee. Bert also contributed technical articles published in the Canadian National Landscape Association magazine. With a relentless pursuit of knowledge, Bert has attained several industry certificates in landscape design, landscape construction and with the PHTCC—Pool and Hot Tub Council Canada. Prior to joining the landscaping industry, Bert spent several years in management in the services sector primarily in a customer advocate role. His honesty and integrity and his ability to build and develop strong relationships with clients reflects that.