tips for making a space for relaxation and self care
July 17, 2020
Hi friends! Today I came on here to talk a bit about the things I’ve been doing to create a peaceful environment for myself to help me recharge and take care of myself. Lately, I’ve found myself reflecting into my spirituality a lot more and creating a space outside to be able to create peace inside has been very important for me. As the outside world can feel overwhelming and scary, especially right now, being able to have that inner sanctuary to come home to has been an amazing thing for me. For me, when I sit down at the end of the night to reflect back on my day and my intentions, having this space of solitude and reflection helps me stay grounded.
In my own home, this space is in a corner of my bedroom at my desk or on the floor, but for you it could be a bed, a dining table, a balcony, any sort of safe space where you can find solitude. This space is there to welcome reflection and peace in the form of journaling, meditation, yoga, reading or whatever you do to wind down. Going through the five senses, I’ve compiled a list of small things to help you find peace within your own space, no matter where that is. Having a space that is clean, cozy and safe is an amazing thing to come home to at the end of each long summer day. Let me know what you do in your own space to create the feeling of sanctuary and welcome relaxation.
sight
As a visual artist, the sight of my space is very important for me so this is probably the category I think about most when creating my own space. The biggest way that I use sight to create a cozy feeling is through lots of pictures and prints on my walls. I fill the walls surrounding my desk with prints, pictures and polaroids of people and words that resonate with me. I put pictures that I find online as well as my own photos and prints that I’ve purchased. This can work for any art you love, sentimental photos or nice quotes. In this way, you are always surrounded by the things and people that inspire and uplift you.
Another way I use sight to create peace within my space is with plants. For me, the bright lively green of my plant babies calms me down and reminds me to find calm within myself. In the same way that spending time in nature can help to reduce stress, surrounding yourself with living plants at home can also help calm you down. Plants will also help to cleanse the area through cleaning the air in your space which is important, especially if you live in the city.
Finally for sight, lighting is one of the most important things. If you are constantly surrounding yourself with the crazy bright lights from a computer or tv or even a bright led overhead light, you aren’t giving your eyes time to rest. As it starts to get dark lately, I’ve been using candles to light my space and keep it warm and cozy. The ambient glow helps set my mood to calm as well as gives my eyes that chance to rest. Something about a candle flicker fills me with peace.
As the wind rages outside my window right now, I can really tell you that the ambient sound of a space is super important to how you feel inside. Although we can’t always control the wind, being able to set on a nice gentle playlist can allow your mind that release that it needs to really relax. I’ve recently made myself a self care playlist and I suggest making your own as well. Even if it’s just one album that you know helps to calm you down, having that go to sound for healing and calming creates a beautiful atmosphere. I also love simply opening my window to hear the sound of trees and birds and just the ambient noise of life outside. When you embrace the imperfections (sirens, cars beeping, raging wind etc) the sounds of life can become just like a calming soundtrack.
Smell, probably more than any other sense, can calm me down instantly (I’m not really sure why, are you the same?). Adding a relaxing scent to your space can help to cleanse your mind and allow it to sink into that deeper state of relaxation. I often use scented candles or my essential oil diffuser to do so but other ways to cleanse the space include burning incense, smudge sticks, wax melts or a simple room spray. Even opening the window to get some fresh air movement through the room can make a big difference. Cleaning the air through these methods not only helps with smell but I find it wards off any negative energy or stale energy that has settled down in the dust.
touch
Touch is less obvious than the other senses but still something that is just as important. Like when you get home at the end of a long day and you stay in your uncomfortable work clothes, you are going to have a lot more trouble feeling relaxed compared to in your comfortable pyjamas. Something as simple as changing into clothes that you are comfortable in and that allow your body to breath gives your mind the space it needs to calm down. If your space is your bed, this can include making sure you have nice comfortable sheets or blankets around and nothing that is going to scratch or irritate you. If sitting on a chair or on the floor, make sure you have a comfortable cushion or seat to sit on as well.
Touch can link in with sight as well. If you are finding your space really hard and uninviting, hanging a tapestry or a decorative blanket on the wall helps add both texture and a pleasing sight. It all comes down to making yourself the most comfortable physically to let yourself be more comfortable internally.
