During COVID-19 many of us are spending more time at home than ever before and our environment can have a big impact on our mental health.
Our home should be a calming space where we can come to relax when we are stressed or tired. Our personal space should be supportive of our self-care practices and our daily living rituals.
Here are a few tips on how to make your home a more calming space:
Declutter your things
Having fewer items allows us to experience less visible clutter. Once we downsize our unwanted possessions, we can focus on only having items that are useful or bring us happiness. You can start small and declutter just a few items per month or get it all done in one day of spring cleaning.
Tip: Declutter items off of the floor and surfaces, it makes cleaning a much faster process.
Keep your home tidy
It is calming to have a clean and tidy space. This can be something as simple as making your bed in the morning or making sure the dishes are done each night before you go to sleep.
Tip: Clean as you go so that the work never piles up into a large task.
Burn candles, light incense, or use essential oils
Choose any scent that makes you happy and spread that throughout your home. Lavender and Frankincense are common scents used for relaxation. If you are sensitive to fragrances, unscented candles can also have a calming effect in the home.
Tip 1: You can make your home smell nice by baking two teaspoons of vanilla in the oven on 300F for 30 minutes. This can also be done using other ingredients such as orange peels or cinnamon.
Tip 2: If you want to use essential oils but do not have a diffuser, put a few drops in a spray bottle with water, shake, and you now have homemade air freshener.
Have flowers in your home
In the spring and summer months being able to pick wildflowers and keep a piece of nature in your home can be very pleasant. Make sure to put them in a vase with water so they can last longer.
Tip: Make this a do it yourself (DIY) project by drying or pressing the flowers so you can enjoy them in your home year-round.
Have indoor plants
Having plants inside your home can be a way to bring nature indoors. They purify the air, are beautiful as decor, and give us a sense of accomplishment.
Tip: Talk to your plants to help them grow and to prevent loneliness.
Make your space cozy
Keep warm blankets, pillows, and slippers available for the times when you want to cuddle up for a cozy evening indoors.
Keep your sleeping space reserved for sleeping
Try not to spend too much time doing other activities in the space you have designated for sleep.
Tip: Don’t use electronics at least an hour before going to bed. This should help you fall asleep faster at night.
Decorate with pictures, posters, or anything that makes you happy
In order to make a space your own, decorate the walls with things that make you happy. Pictures of loved ones, your favourite artwork, posters, trophies, etc. can all be hung up to make your home unique to you and your interests.
Get some fresh air and natural light
Weather permitting, try opening some windows and allowing fresh air and light to enter your home.
Tip: If your home doesn’t receive a lot of sunlight, try having a few lamps or soft light sources throughout your home to give it a more natural feel.
Play relaxing sounds
To relax, try playing some calming music or opening your window to listen to the birds chirping outside. There are all types of music and soundtracks available for free online.
Tip: If you live on a busy street, listen to digital nature sounds to escape the noise of traffic.
Rearrange your furniture
If you are getting bored with your home or feel stuck in the same space day after day, try rearranging the furniture. This simple act can give the room a whole new look without having to buy new items.
Tip: If you are unable to move the large furniture pieces, simply rearranging your decor items can have a similar impact.
Make sure every item has a designated spot
Try to organize your home so that you know where everything is and it is easy to access. This way you won’t have to stress about losing items and finding what you need will be a quick process.
Tip: Store similar items together. For example, keep all of your spare electronic cords or parts in a designated box so you know exactly where to look when you need something.
Style your home the way YOU want
Interior design trends may come and go, but the most important thing is that YOU love your home. Try to tailor your organization and decor around practicality, self-care, and your personal preferences.
