Green Spaces Blog How to Build A Wellness Space In Your Home

The year 2020 is turning out to be an unpredictable, unprecedented one. Instead of being homesick, many people are sick of being home. It's the perfect time for building a wellness space in your home - a private place where you can escape.The National Wellness Institute says there are six dimensions of wellness. We've covered the occupational ones. But for emotional, physical, social, intellectual, and spiritual well-being, youz need a place to unwind. Here are some things to think about when building a wellness space.Green SpaceThat sense of calm you get when you're hiking in the high country, or even running around Washington Park is not your imagination. Multiple studies show green spaces lower the stress hormone, cortisol, and drop your heart rate. Bring that green indoors, and you'll create an instant wellness space in your home. Those indoor plants can also clean the air, a bonus to putting together a natural wellness space inspired by the outdoors. Just one warning: Pay close attention to how much light and water the plants need. If you arrange them according to their needs, your green wellness space can work, even if you think you have a brown thumb.Declutter Clutter, it turns out, is more than just a mess. It's also a weight on your psyche and can lead to extra stress. Creating a wellness space in your home means getting rid of the clutter. Think of it as clearing away the things you don't need, both physically and psychologically, and opening up spaces to breathe. Toss or donate what you don't need or haven't used in a while. You'll find you feel less overwhelmed, and that free space clears the way for wellness practices, whether it's a place to practice yoga, or read a book, or journal. Use Good ScentsBe careful about choosing a musty basement or garage. You want a place with a pleasant aroma to clear your mind. Plants will help clear the air, but consider adding an infuser or scented candles to make the space more enjoyable.Create With PurposeOne of the tenets of mindfulness is intention. A wellness space is one place you should act with intention and purpose, to create something that truly helps you thrive. That means asking yourself what makes you well, and how can a space in your home enhance that? If your physical wellness is the key, then create a mini yoga, pilates studio, or home gym with hand weights and a bench. If intellectual stimulation is the way you recharge, create a nook with a comfortable place to enjoy the latest bestsellers. If spirituality is your jam, then dedicate your space to meditation, or practicing your religion.Wellness is not just a trend, and a wellness space in your home will serve a purpose long after the troubles of 2020 are gone. In the meantime, it is one way for you to enhance your health and wellbeing despite the stress this year has brought. You'll be reaping the benefits of it long after the pandemic is over.Will Kolb is a lifestyle and design writer with a predilection for sleek, modern style. His biggest weakness is foreign foods, and he is passionate about making beautiful designs feel more accessible to men.