3 easy steps to improving wellness at home
It’s no secret that this past year has been one of unprecedented change. Since the first lockdowns last year, most facets of daily life were turned upside down. From home schooling to working from home, almost 50 per cent of us have been spending more time at home than ever before (and we’re guessing that statistic is even higher here in Victoria). And that’s not likely to change anytime soon. For this reason, it has never been more important that our home is not just a practical and functional, but also healthy.
Minimise air pollution
Giving your home a wellness upgrade isn’t as simple as drenching it in Dettol and then throwing around a few incense sticks (although by all means, if this is part of your home wellness routine, then don’t let us stop you!). Air pollution is actually the largest environmental risk to our health. And since we’re spending so much of our time indoors at home, the quality of that air is crucial to our overall wellbeing.
Adding an air purifier to your home is a great way to help reduce pollutants and allergens. With more and more options on the market, you can also pick up a stylish one that will fit right into your existing design. Just be sure to choose one with a high quality HEPA filter, and take the size of your space into consideration, as a small unit may look cute and unobtrusive, but it may not actually do much in terms of filtering out pollutants in a large area. If you want to go the el-naturale route, then adding a few houseplants is a fantastic solution to cleaner air.
Increase natural light
We promise we’re not trying to sound like a nagging mum, but good lighting really is key to good design. Turns out, it’s also key to increasing your home’s wellness factor. We’re programmed to thrive in light, airy spaces. The more sunlight we’re exposed to, the more serotonin we produce, which in turn heightens our mood and increases productivity. Now if these weren’t reasons enough to enjoy some vitamin D at home, we know that natural light can do wonders at enhancing an interior space.
Boost natural light in your home through windows and skylights to ensure you’re getting the benefits of all that serotonin production. If you’re not planning to create any structural changes to your home – get creative by placing reflective décor (such as a mirror) to help spread natural light around a room. And while not everyone will have the luxury of vast floor-to-ceiling windows, try and take some time out of your busy schedule to enjoy a patch of sun. Something as simple as looking out the kitchen window with your morning coffee for ten minutes will help set you up for a positive day.
Create a zen zone
One of the best ways to increase an overall feeling of wellness in your home is to create a space dedicated to it. There’s a reason day spas and retreats are oozing with wellness – their entire design is based on creating a sensation of relaxation, calm and wellbeing.
Whether you use it for morning yoga practice, mindful meditation or to simply escape the chaos of life with a good book, a dedicated ‘zen zone’ is the ideal addition to your home wellness strategy. While you don’t need a spare room to create a zen zone, the key is to choose an area removed from the busiest areas of your house. After all, the entire purpose is to create an escape from the everyday hustle.