How to Build Your Self-Care Oasis at Home
This February, love is in the air. And, at Carepod, we understand that there is nothing more important to love than your own space.
Are you having trouble feeling truly relaxed when at home? Do you tend to still feel anxious and stuck in your work mindset, way after clocking out? If you're reading this and enthusiastically nodding along, then it sounds like your home could use a little TLC.
Your living space should be a place where you feel calm and relaxed, a personal sanctuary from everyday life and stress. Luckily, it's not hard to turn your home into the ideal, self-care destination. With just a few thoughtful, simple touches, you can turn your flat, house, or even just bedroom into a serene space.
So, without further ado, let's break down our best seven tips for making your home into the ultimate self-care oasis.
1. Declutter, Declutter, Declutter
There's a reason Marie Kondo took the world by storm. Having a messy space, filled with trinkets and unused items can be extremely overwhelming. Not only does it make your home feel smaller, but it also will cause visual stress.
Are your drawers filled with old holiday cards and your shelves are cluttered with magazines and nearly empty skincare products from 2016? Then, it might be time to do a home clean-out. You can abide by the KonMarie method and toss any items that "do not spark joy." Or, if that's not your thing, then just trust your gut and pick what stays and goes.
Post clean-out, you probably have some miscellaneous items to keep but nowhere to put. The last thing you want to do is put them right back on your shelves, where they cause clutter. Instead, invest in some storage solutions. There can be quite beautiful storage decor, like under-the-bed bins and ottomans that double as containers.
2. Choose the Right Lighting
Ever notice that you feel your most agitated in the bright fluorescent lights of your office or grocery store? There's a good reason for that! Lighting is extremely influential in a specific atmosphere in a space. If your atmosphere is too bright and overwhelming, this might greatly affect your mood.
In particular, bright, fluorescent lights have been proven to induce stress and suppress melatonin levels (making it harder to sleep). If you're looking to create a calm, relaxing space, opt for some soft lighting. Perhaps find light bulbs that you can dim or warm, incandescent lights.
To create beautiful ambient lighting, move away from overhead lights. Instead, plant some lamps and string lights in your space to create your sanctuary of relaxation. And, during the day, the best lighting you can get is natural light from windows and doors. This will promote your natural circadian rhythms and boost your vitamin D.
3. Add Some Greenery
There's a good reason people tend to escape their stress by heading to the great outdoors. Among the hustle of everyday life, nature helps ground us. If you're looking to create an at-home oasis, try adding some indoor plants.
Not only do houseplants add color and beauty to your space, they can be extremely therapeutic. Research has proven that plants can greatly boost our mood and bring relief in enclosed spaces.
Houseplants have physical benefits, as well. They have the potential to improve your indoor air quality, as well as help you recover faster from illness. Before purchasing a plant, just make sure the species is not toxic to any pets you own and you should be good to go!
4. Create a Designated Self-Care Area
In our homes, it can be difficult to separate our spaces to relax from our stressful lives, especially if you work from home or have children. In this case, it is extremely beneficial to designate a spot to unwind.
If solitude is what you need, make this a dedicated space just for you. This might be your candle-lit bubble bath after a long day or even a nook with a comfortable chair to read a book.
Having a specific spot for "relaxation" can be quite Pavlovian. You'll find that going there when it's time to unwind will subconsciously teach you to calm down every time you enter it.
5. Have an Intentional Space for Work
This tip goes hand-in-hand with designating a specific self-care area. When you work in the same space where you relax, it can be extremely hard to separate the two. You might find yourself having trouble truly relaxing on your couch if that is the same spot you take your work calls.
Especially with COVID and the rise of remote work, people are finding that their homes are no longer the serene space they once were. There is no way to exit from your work mode if you never leave the office.
If you want to transform your home into the ultimate self-care oasis, then choose a distinct space where you work. Once your day is over, sign off for the day and leave this space, just as you might leave work.
6. Pick a Calming Color Palette
Right off the bat, don't be scared. We're not about to tell you it's time to repaint all of your walls. Still, it's important to be strategic with the colors you surround yourself with, whether that's in a rug, painting, or, yes, your walls.
Color psychology tells us that certain palettes can impact our moods. Cool colors, specifically light blues, help induce relaxation and promote restful sleep. Greens can make us feel peaceful and grounded, invoking nature. Even, brown and beige have been shown to bring warmth to a space.
Just maybe stay away from red. It's been proven to raise blood pressure and induce aggression.
7. Engage All Your Senses
In our previous tips, we discussed how the visual look and feel of your home can contribute to your sense of relaxation. However, don't forget that the rest of your senses can affect your emotions as well!
Anyone who has been to a spa can tell you that there is nothing more relaxing than the soothing sounds of a water feature. When it comes to a relaxing atmosphere, perhaps a small desktop fountain is up your alley or a white noise machine.
If you're really hoping to up the ante, find your home's signature scent. Light your favorite candle and let it transport you to your happy place. Or, get a diffuser and find the perfect scent to relax you.
When it comes to creating your personal sanctuary, every little touch helps.
Wrapup
Self-care is more than just guided meditation, deep breathing exercises, and journaling. It is reexamining how to make our busy lives work in our favor. This can be as simple as making your home a place where you feel truly relaxed.
Just having a normal day at home can and should be a blissful experience. Whether that be finding the perfect comfy chair or brightening up your space with some lively houseplants, allow yourself to create the self-care oasis you've been needing.
With our seven self-care home design tips, we hope that you can create your own ideal destination at home. Make self-care a priority and invest in yourself.
