In a busy world, full of pressures, it’s more important than ever to have somewhere to retreat to. Somewhere you can be yourself, relax, and unwind. Whether it’s a house, studio apartment, or a room, create your own inner sanctuary. Provide a space where you can shut out the rest of the world and just be.
Creating this environment isn’t just about creating a tidy and clutter-free space. It’s about evoking all the sense to change the mood of your home and evoke a sense of calm.
1. Scent
Scientific research has shown that scent has an effect on the brain. It can alter our brainwaves and change behavior. As such, aromatherapy is widely practiced throughout the world and can trace its origins back 3,500 years.
Adding scent to your home has several benefits. On a practical level, it disguises unwanted odors and provides a pleasant atmosphere. On a deeper level, it can alter mood and stimulate the brain. Some scents bring about a sense of calm and serenity. Others trigger creativity and inspiration.
Some scents also evoke nostalgia. If you think about the calming smells of your parents’ home; clean laundry, baking bread, furniture polish, etc. This taps into memories and allows you to relive the feelings of that time.
The challenge is to find scents that appeal to you and tap into the feelings you want to experience. Reed diffusers are a great way to scent your home. They last for several months, without the need to be lit. You can find a variety of reed diffusers for sale online.
2. Touch
Touch has potent healing powers. We know from experience that it can ease pain and stress. There are many massage therapies that trigger different areas of the body and have several benefits. And we know that the power of a hug is a natural antidepressant. So how do we bring this to the home, without installing a full-time massage therapist?
The power of touch can be experienced in many different ways. For example, in the temperature of a room. Cooling down during a hot, sticky summer brings instant relief. And nothing quite matches the sense of being warm and cozy indoors while a storm rages outside. Lighting a fire or wrapping yourself in a soft, woolen throw, evokes a sense of care and calm. Simple additions, like investing in some new bedding made from natural fibers like cotton and silk can also help trigger our sense of touch.
3. Sound
What is your favorite sound? Do you like to listen to waves crashing on a beach? Or do you prefer the soft patter of rain against a window? Sound has a direct influence on our brain and has the power to alter our mood. It evokes memories and can help bring about a feeling of relaxation. Slow calming music can alter our physiological functions. It can slow our heart rate, lower blood pressure, and decrease stress hormones.
Filling your home full of music can, therefore, change the mood and atmosphere. In addition to the music you enjoy on your iPod, consider introducing other sounds. There are several apps that play ambient sound, many of which are used as an aid to sleep. Or you can create your own natural sounds. Plant bamboo or grasses in the garden, close to your window. They provide their own calming music as the wind blows through them. Or simply hang up wind chimes.
Some people have a dislike of quiet, ambient music. And for others, the scent of honeysuckle gives them a headache. Creating a calming and ambient living environment is about personal choices. The challenge is to find the combination of sounds and aromas, etc. that work for you.
