If you’re like so many of us, your social media scroll is full of wellness “hacks”… but when we take a step back and think about it, will these trends really affect our long term well-being? I like to think of the ambiguous term “wellness” more holistically, and I take a well-rounded approach to making improvements in my own daily life.
One critical and often overlooked component of your overall wellness? Your physical environment. Today, I’ll be sharing the impact your home has on your well-being along with design tips for creating spaces that support your specific goals.
How Your Home is Connected to Your Well-Being
It’s no secret that our homes, communities and environments affect our daily motivations, behaviors and lifestyles, but did you know that these aspects determine 80-90% of our health outcomes? (Source: Global Wellness Institute) That’s a pretty significant percentage which, in my book, warrants a careful look at the spaces where we live.
Neuroscience studies confirm that our surroundings impact our brain in both positive and negative ways. When your home does not support your well-being, subconsciously, it ends up becoming an energy drain versus a space that is nurturing and supportive.
Instead, intentional and thoughtful design choices maximize our human potential, promote relaxation, and support physical health and energy levels. A worthwhile pursuit, wouldn’t you agree? Let’s take a look at some specific ways you can create that environment for yourself.
Tips for Creating Spaces Aligned with Wellness
When I hear the term “wellness,” I immediately jump to physical wellness, especially around the new year. But from a holistic perspective, wellness goes far beyond the physical and touches various areas of life. Thus, these practical tips will support wellness comprehensively:
Tip for Mental Wellness: Incorporate a Mindfulness Corner
Create a dedicated space in your home where you can relax, meditate or read. Opt for soft, calming colors, plush seating or floor cushions, and keep it free of screens and work-related items. Add a small shelf for books, journals or candles, and incorporate essential oil diffusers with calming scents like lavender or eucalyptus to make it your own personal oasis. This space should be separate from the bustle of daily life, where you can relax your mind through your preferred activity.
Tip for Environmental Wellness: Opt for Eco-Friendly Materials
When selecting furniture and decor, choose eco-friendly, sustainable materials whenever possible. This can include reclaimed wood tables, natural fiber rugs, and organic cotton textiles. To reduce indoor pollutants in your home, use low-VOC or zero-VOC paints, stains and finishes, and opt for LED bulbs or other energy-efficient lighting to reduce energy consumption. Finally, don’t underestimate the value of opening your windows. Welcoming fresh air into your home can be revitalizing and restoring.
Tip for Financial Wellness: Embrace Quality Over Quantity
Invest in well-made durable pieces of furniture and decor that will stand the test of time. This will save money in the long run, since you won’t frequently be buying replacements. Also, while online shopping is easy, shopping locally and supporting artisans in your community not only contributes to a more sustainable economy, but it often brings unique pieces that tell a story into your home. High quality and locally sourced items add distinction and lasting value to your space.
Tip for Social Wellness: Declutter Your Space
Let’s be honest, most of us don’t want to host guests in a messy home. Decluttering and freshening up your space will create a more welcoming environment that you are eager to share with your favorite people. Consider donating gently used clothing, furniture and decor that no longer serve you. Your home will feel lighter and more inviting, and you’ll be supporting those in need – a win-win!
Tip for Physical Wellness: Thoughtfully Organize Your Kitchen
We all don’t have room for a home gym or workout space without constantly rearranging furniture, so this tip focuses on the nutrition component of physical wellness: organize your kitchen to make your nutrition goals easier and enjoyable.
Keep pots, pans, and cooking tools within easy reach so prepping meals feels (at least a little more) effortless. Set up a cute coffee bar to encourage making coffee at home a regular habit – I can personally attest that this is effective! Finally, bring out the “good” dishes for everyday use. Celebrating weeknight meals on beautiful plates makes each meal feel special and reinforces a positive connection with healthy eating.
Design Elements that Support Wellness
Aside from those specific tips, there are some design elements that, in general, play a key role in wellness at home.
Natural Light: Did you know that it’s recommended that we get 30 minutes of natural light each day? Sunlight affects our circadian rhythms, which can in turn affect our energy levels and moods. When we design homes and offices, we try to do everything we can to let in real light before adding in artificial “sunlight.”
Strategic Use of Color: Intentionally using color to energetically match you, calm you, or invigorate you is a wonderful way to align the purpose of your space with your goals.
Connection with Nature: Not all of us have a green thumb or are meant to be plant parents, so if indoor plants aren’t your thing, there are other options. Create a grounding connection with nature by using earthy colors, sunlight, images of animals and nature, and mirrors or reflective surfaces that mimic water. One of my personal favorites? Incorporate dried or preserved flowers into your design.
Organization Systems: We are probably all familiar with the correlation between a messy home and a cluttered brain. A clean space gives you room to breathe and to clear your head. If you need to declutter, I recommend starting small – a bookshelf, coffee table or countertop. Take before and after pictures, and you’ll feel even better!
Creating Spaces that Support Your Wellness Goals
In this sometimes stressful and ever-changing world in which we live, a new trend is emerging: a shift in focus on how our homes make us feel rather than staying up to date with the latest look. When we intentionally design spaces to align with wellness, we create environments that naturally support your holistic health, making it easier to maintain your goals throughout the year.
If you’re feeling ready to make your home a haven that supports each angle of your well-being, I’d love to be your guide. Reach out to me here, and let’s discuss your goals.
Warmly,
Kristen
