Last Updated November 12, 2020
It's common knowledge that stress affects both your physical and emotional health. So to be your best self, you need space to recover from the negative factors we all face on a day to day basis. Traffic, we're looking at you. One of the most basic things you can do to weed stress from your life is to create a safe space by turning your home into a healing environment. And guess what? It doesn't have to be a challenging effort. The results are definitely worth it. A peaceful and organized home can help improve mood and positive energy, reduce stress, and lead to a more relaxed mind, body, and soul. Welcome more flow and ease into your life with the tips below. And if you find any of the tips helpful, be sure to LIKE or SHARE on Facebook or Twitter! Let the healing begin. :)
Healing Environment | Set an Intention
How many times have you set a goal and abandoned it a short time later? To make it more likely that you turn your home into a healing environment, start by setting clear intentions to do so. If you get overwhelmed by the idea of household projects, intention setting can allow you to be more mindful and create a positive attitude about the process. Then decide on your goal. Will you hack your entire house, or will you take one room to create your safe haven? Remember there's no right answer. It's about what works for you.
Healing Environment | Eliminate Clutter
Your home environment has a greater impact on your health and emotional wellbeing than you may realize. A messy and cluttered home can make you feel overwhelmed and anxious. Have you ever tried to completely relax in a room full of clutter? It's almost impossible to do, isn't it? Everyone would be better off if they took the time to eliminate clutter from their lives. Start simple by getting rid of things you no longer use by donating to charity or having a garage sale. Someone else will be happy to give your unwanted belongings a new home. Then to keep the clutter at bay, commit a few minutes each day to de-cluttering. And if you want to be even more organized about it, you can even dedicate a storage bin for donations. At the end of the month, drop your unwanted things off at a donation center and rinse-and-repeat.
Healing Environment | Welcome Nature
Nature doesn't just have to be the place we find outside. As a powerful healer, spending time in nature can lower blood pressure, promote cancer-fighting cells, and help with depression and anxiety. Even artificial nature has benefits. So, identify natural elements that speak to you and find ways to introduce them into your home. If you have a green thumb, live plants and flowers are an easy way to introduce nature. And the bonus is that you can choose plants to even cleanse the air. And if the green finger fairy skipped you, don't worry. There are some high-quality faux plants and flowers that can provide a similar effect, sans the air cleansing. Water fountains and aquariums are another great way to invite nature. Plus, you can choose fountains and tanks based on the size you have available. Are you a tiny house dweller? No problem.
Healing Environment | Utilize Color
According to Home Advisor, "Colors have been scientifically proven to have psychological impacts on people, with different colors having different effects." Simply put, colors affect the way you feel. So if you have the time and energy, you might consider repainting your space. If repainting an entire room is too much of a project to tackle, there are other ways to utilize color in your home. Consider painting a piece of furniture like a table, adding textiles in relaxing colors, or adding art that evokes peace and harmony. You can either go with a color that automatically makes you happy or choose one known to invoke a positive response. For example, red typically causes an invigorating reaction, while blue has the opposite effect of calming.
Healing Environment | Audit Your Lighting
Have you ever tried to relax under a bright white fluorescent light? How did that work out? Lighting can define your mood for better or worse. So when creating a healing environment in your home, lighting is one of the most important changes you can make. Done correctly, it can create a warm ambiance and a relaxing atmosphere. During the day, you can enhance your natural lighting by giving your windows a good cleaning. If your budget allows, consider upgrading your lighting fixtures or installing dimmer lights in your home. And if you have a fireplace, be sure to make use of it when the weather allows. If you're on a budget, don't worry. Enhancing your healing environment can be as simple as grabbing some candles and turning off the lights. Now, isn't that nice?
Healing Environment | Remember Sounds & Smells
"Music has powerful and diverse effects on both the body and mind, influencing breathing and heart rate, triggering the release of hormones, stimulating the immune system, and boosting the brain’s cognitive and emotional centers," states Psychology Today. There's a reason why gyms and fitness studios blast high-energy, uptempo music. You can create the opposite effect in your home with some relaxing tunes. So when it's time to unwind, tune into some light jazz, nature sounds, or a mindfulness app. And don't forget smells. If you've already decluttered your home, there shouldn't be any unpleasant odors waiting to smack in the face when you walk in the door. So just add a bit of aromatherapy to complete your healing environment. Aromatherapy can reduce stress and anxiety, so pick up some lavender or chamomile essential oil and let the healing begin.
How many times have you set a goal and abandoned it a short time later? To make it more likely that you turn your home into a healing environment, start by setting clear intentions to do so. If you get overwhelmed by the idea of household projects, intention setting can allow you to be more mindful and create a positive attitude about the process. Then decide on your goal. Will you hack your entire house, or will you take one room to create your safe haven? Remember there's no right answer. It's about what works for you.
Healing Environment | Eliminate Clutter
Your home environment has a greater impact on your health and emotional wellbeing than you may realize. A messy and cluttered home can make you feel overwhelmed and anxious. Have you ever tried to completely relax in a room full of clutter? It's almost impossible to do, isn't it? Everyone would be better off if they took the time to eliminate clutter from their lives. Start simple by getting rid of things you no longer use by donating to charity or having a garage sale. Someone else will be happy to give your unwanted belongings a new home. Then to keep the clutter at bay, commit a few minutes each day to de-cluttering. And if you want to be even more organized about it, you can even dedicate a storage bin for donations. At the end of the month, drop your unwanted things off at a donation center and rinse-and-repeat.
Healing Environment | Welcome Nature
Nature doesn't just have to be the place we find outside. As a powerful healer, spending time in nature can lower blood pressure, promote cancer-fighting cells, and help with depression and anxiety. Even artificial nature has benefits. So, identify natural elements that speak to you and find ways to introduce them into your home. If you have a green thumb, live plants and flowers are an easy way to introduce nature. And the bonus is that you can choose plants to even cleanse the air. And if the green finger fairy skipped you, don't worry. There are some high-quality faux plants and flowers that can provide a similar effect, sans the air cleansing. Water fountains and aquariums are another great way to invite nature. Plus, you can choose fountains and tanks based on the size you have available. Are you a tiny house dweller? No problem.
Healing Environment | Utilize Color
According to Home Advisor, "Colors have been scientifically proven to have psychological impacts on people, with different colors having different effects." Simply put, colors affect the way you feel. So if you have the time and energy, you might consider repainting your space. If repainting an entire room is too much of a project to tackle, there are other ways to utilize color in your home. Consider painting a piece of furniture like a table, adding textiles in relaxing colors, or adding art that evokes peace and harmony. You can either go with a color that automatically makes you happy or choose one known to invoke a positive response. For example, red typically causes an invigorating reaction, while blue has the opposite effect of calming.
Healing Environment | Audit Your Lighting
Have you ever tried to relax under a bright white fluorescent light? How did that work out? Lighting can define your mood for better or worse. So when creating a healing environment in your home, lighting is one of the most important changes you can make. Done correctly, it can create a warm ambiance and a relaxing atmosphere. During the day, you can enhance your natural lighting by giving your windows a good cleaning. If your budget allows, consider upgrading your lighting fixtures or installing dimmer lights in your home. And if you have a fireplace, be sure to make use of it when the weather allows. If you're on a budget, don't worry. Enhancing your healing environment can be as simple as grabbing some candles and turning off the lights. Now, isn't that nice?
Healing Environment | Remember Sounds & Smells
"Music has powerful and diverse effects on both the body and mind, influencing breathing and heart rate, triggering the release of hormones, stimulating the immune system, and boosting the brain’s cognitive and emotional centers," states Psychology Today. There's a reason why gyms and fitness studios blast high-energy, uptempo music. You can create the opposite effect in your home with some relaxing tunes. So when it's time to unwind, tune into some light jazz, nature sounds, or a mindfulness app. And don't forget smells. If you've already decluttered your home, there shouldn't be any unpleasant odors waiting to smack in the face when you walk in the door. So just add a bit of aromatherapy to complete your healing environment. Aromatherapy can reduce stress and anxiety, so pick up some lavender or chamomile essential oil and let the healing begin.
In the end, the key to turning your home into a healing environment is to do what works for you. If you like to unwind with a good book, get creative with a reading nook. Or if you have a love of DIY projects, the perfect solution for you may be a dedicated workspace inspired by Extreme Makeover. The choice is yours. And remember, you don't have to complete the project overnight. The idea is to reduce stress, not to make it worse. There's nothing wrong with creating a healing environment that is a continuous work-in-progress. You may also like: Stella Fit | 5 Low Calorie Summer Cocktails + Playlist, THE SUITE | How to Start Ballet as a Grown Ass Adult or The Effects of a Lack of Exercise on the Body.
