How can you create a home that feels like “home”?
A place that you want to come back to every evening after a long day at work.
A place where you can even spend your whole day working – especially now in these times of corona pandemic.
A place where you truly feel safe and comfortable.
A place where you can relax and unwind.
A place – and space – that makes you feel peaceful, calm and well.
How do you make your home a wellness sanctuary?
There are several cost-effective and straightforward changes you can make to your home that will help enhance your experience of your home as a wellness sanctuary. Let’s take a look at them together.
#1. Clear out the junk
One of the biggest health enhancers is to clear out all the junk: get rid of that stuff you no longer use, and de-clutter your living space. This will automatically give you a sense of spaciousness and relief, and will immediately help you feel more peaceful within. (You could even sell some of that stuff online and make a bit of extra cash, thus increasing the wellness of your wallet, as well as your home!).
#2. Stay organised
Nothing ruins peace, harmony, and calm than a cluttered house where you cannot find anything. This includes:
- That pile of bills and mail that is sitting unorganised in plain sight and other accumulations of papers.
- Clothes you no longer fit in.
- Food that is expired.
- Books and reviews you will never read.
- Box and gifts you never used.
- Expired beauty products – did you even know there is such a thing? ?
Being home so much in the last six months, I have taken a closer look at what was cluttering our space and it is incredible how much a change it can make to take ownership of your living space. In the same manner, as you grow over the years, so should your living space. Let go of what doesn’t serve you any more and what you do not use. Make space for a brighter, happier and more purposeful present and future.
If you are wondering where to start, I want to invite you to check out the Marie Kondo method. It has inspired me to review our belongings and make more space. You will clear out things that do not bring you joy any more and also make more space with a different folding method.
Marie Kondo Folding Guide
Folding Socks
- Lay socks flat as a pair, one sock on top of the other.
- Fold the toe inward about an inch from the top.
- Fold into the centre.
- Fold in half so it stands upright.
Folding Underwear
(the same process can be applied to bikini bottoms, briefs, thongs, and boy shorts)
- Lay underwear flat in front of you
- Fold in half lengthwise, crotch to waistband.
- Fold in the sides.
- Fold over the crotch again so it stands upright.
Folding T-shirts
- Lay a T-shirt flat in front of you.
- Fold in the right side with the sleeve flat.
- Fold back the sleeve halfway.
- Fold over the left side and repeat the sleeve fold so you’re left with a rectangle.
- Fold in the neckline an inch or so away from the hem.
- Fold halfway.
- Fold in half again so it stands upright.
Folding Sweaters
- Lay a sweater flat in front of you with the sleeves spread out.
- Fold in the right side with the sleeve straight out.
- Fold the sleeve over and down so it creates a triangle.
- Repeat on the left side so you are left with a rectangle.
- Start from the top and fold inward until it stands upright.
Folding Jeans
- Lay jeans flat in front of you.
- Fold the left leg over the right.
- Fold in the crotch.
- Fold over the bottom toward the waist, leaving an inch of space.
- Fold inward until the jeans stand upright.
#3. Keep a clean floor
Floors that are dirty or cluttered with papers, towels, clothes and other stuff make the whole room look unkempt and disorganised.
Whether you have kids at home and feeling tired just at the thought of cleaning or you are just feeling exhausted (physically and mentally) by the current situation, start small. One little bit at a time will help you stay on top of keeping your home clean and organised.
#4. Have comfortable furniture
This is key to having a place where you can truly relax when you get home. Furniture that looks good is great, but you will quickly regret a purchase made for looks alone when you cannot relax in your own home.
My husband and I have recently been inspired to review how we are organising our home, so it feels more spacious and luxurious, even with just enough space for the four of us while working, eating, playing and sleeping there. We have loved the service from a French design company called Rhinov. If you speak French, I highly recommend you check them out. Very affordable and friendly service. (Si vous souhaitez être parrainé pour une réduction sur votre premier achat, contactez-moi).
#5. Remember: “Cleanliness is next to Godliness”
Remember the adage “Cleanliness is next to Godliness”? Well, you don’t necessarily have to feel holy about it, but having a clean living space is healthy for more than just the reduction in germs and harmful bacteria: it will smell good, look good and feel fresh, all of which will help you to feel good when you are in it!
Just make sure that you are going for green cleaning so as to minimise the harmful impact on your hormones. Here’s a great guide to help you with that.
I don’t necessarily recommend going for DoTERRA essential oils as I have found better quality ones by non-MLM companies, but their guide is great! ?
#6. Use scents and smells
Essential oils are a natural and health-giving way of enhancing the comfort of your home: the smell of citrus oils adds a fresh, invigorating feeling while lavender helps you feel calm, for example. Frankincense and myrrh are wonderful in promoting a meditative air. You can use a simple oil burner or make an air freshener with nothing more than a few drops of essential oil in a spritzer bottle filled with distilled water.
Here is where I am getting mine (incl. the brand): Now Foods Essential Oils on iHerb.
#7. Add ambience
Another way to increase your comfort level, and therefore your capacity to relax, unwind and de-stress in your home, is to add “ambience”: soft music, soft lighting, candles, and beautiful art pieces can all add to a feeling of calm and tranquillity.
#8. Pick the right colour scheme
Colour schemes affect our mood: for example, blues and greens are calming, while reds, corals, and maroons make a room seem cosy and warm. Keep this in mind when redecorating.
#9. Dedicate a space for your spiritual self
Can you find one area, or room, to devote to your spiritual self? A meditation cushion and a small altar with items of special meaning can turn an unused corner into a sacred space for prayer, contemplation, and connection with the Divine Source (whatever that means for you).
#10. Have plants
Having living plants in the home will help keep the air oxygenated, and give a sense of the presence of nature. Just remember to water them! ?
Growing herbs in the kitchen will again bring a little bit of nature in from the outside and will help you connect to the earth immediately and practically. Not to mention bringing some wholesome nutrition to your kitchen table.
We have personally enjoyed for a number of months now homemade pesto. One of my 3.5-year-old sons, Lucas, cannot eat pasta without asking for “maman’s special green sauce“. ?
#11. Beware the quality of your water
Use a water filter for excellent drinking water. For example, we use a Brita filter, but there are many out there that will help you reduce the toxic load of your water.
#12. Get some fresh air in
Keeping some windows open whenever possible will help the circulation of fresh air and will keep your home from getting stuffy and from feeling oppressive and claustrophobic. Now, I can understand that as the air gets colder, you might not want to let some fresh air in. That being said, it will help both your home and your brain, so I’d recommend putting a sweater on and doing it, even if just for five minutes!
#13. Get some natural light in
Natural light in your home, as much as possible, can enhance your mood and provide some vitamin D (although there is no substitute for getting outside every day).
In winter especially, as rates of depression increase, getting enough light is really important. When you cannot get enough light – like for us here in Switzerland, winter usually means white sky and no sun – I would recommend you add in a good vitamin D supplement to your diet and invest into a LED therapy light (these lamps mimic sunlight). In colder months, I use mine often to help with energy, moods but also physical pain (muscles, cramps if any, etc.).
#14. Laugh often
Remember to laugh, spend time with, and hug those you live with, to increase the good vibes in your home.
#15. Connect with loved ones
If you live alone, invite family and friends over to share a meal. If it is not yet possible because of the current pandemic, schedule calls often to make sure you are feeling connected to your network of friends and loved ones.
Balance and harmony are vital in making your home a healthy sanctuary you will come to as a special place to decompress.
