*I originally wrote this blog post for the neighborhood SEEN website – the article can be found here*
Decluttering, using essential oils and adding plants are easy ways to create a mindful home that will make you feel relaxed.
Mindfulness is becoming quite the buzzword these days. It’s an incredible asset to living a healthy life both mentally and physically. Mindfulness is presence and momentary awareness. It is the conscious effort to tune into our bodies, our mind, and our emotions. So often we live in the future — planning, calculating, anticipating — and in that chaos, our present moment gets lost.
There are so many ways we can be mindful, and the act looks different for everyone. Let’s start with the home. Enhancing our physical home is one way to contribute to living mindfully. Our physical environment has a strong impact on our mental state.
Here are some tips on how to make your home the ample environment for mindful living.
Decluttering. They say a cluttered space is a cluttered mind. Agreed. For so many people, having physical clutter, disarray and messiness cause anxiety. Now, not everyone has time to keep their homes in tip-top shape. Fair. So start here: Make an effort to keep your entryway clean and decluttered. That way, walking into your space induces feelings of ease and comfort. Second, pick the room you spend the most time in and make that a priority. It can be your bedroom, kitchen, study — whatever it may be, prioritize that space. Starting small is the way to go here.
Aromatherapy Essential Oils. Don’t knock it until you try it. Diffusing essential oils in your home is incredibly calming and pleasant. You know that feeling when you walk into a spa? Yes — that’s it. Why not bring it to your space at home to create a more relaxing and mindful environment? My favorite diffusing oils are eucalyptus during the day and lavender at night. The options are endless! And you do not need to break the bank on this. There are tons of affordable diffuser options sold online. If aromatherapy isn’t your thing, go the traditional route and light up a few candles in your home (safely of course). Adding enjoyable scents in your space will ease your mind and make you feel relaxed.
Plants. Plants really and truly add life to your space. They purify the air we breathe in our homes every day. They stand for nature, healing, and beauty and, not to mention, are aesthetically pleasing. You can start simple: Grab a couple small succulents or cacti and line your window sill. Add an orchid to your coffee table, or if you are feeling ambitious, you can get a large potted plant. Plants brighten up our space and lift our spirits. The best part, they need lots of sun, so open up those shades and let the natural light shine.
Creating a space for mindful living doesn’t have to be all or nothing — hopefully, these three tips can get you started!
All great ways to get started!!