Wellness at Home: Ways to Become More Present
A piece I wrote for Ann Sacks Inside Design this month — enjoy!
Living well really means living presently. Although our minds often focus on the past and future, the present moment is the only place that truly exists – it is where happiness, creativity, and beauty occur.
So, when we talk about living well at home, the question really is how do we create a home environment that brings us into the present moment?
Here is the quick answer: add items to your home that engage your five sensations.
When we tap into any of our five senses—i.e., smell, sight, sound, touch, or taste—we automatically become more present. Our home should be the place that grounds us, physically and emotionally, and comforts our five sensations.
Below are some great ways to compel the five senses at home.
SMELL.
Let’s start with an aroma in the home. Think of aromatherapy and how certain smells have a powerful impact on our mood. For example, peppermint has an energizing quality, while chamomile brings calm and relaxation.
Candles are one of the easiest ways to light a home with a pleasant aroma (literally). Note that natural wax—like coconut, soy, or beeswax—will burn longer, with a more subtle fragrance, and with less soot than a paraffin wax candle.
If candles aren’t your thing, try a stovetop potpourri. Cinnamon and orange peel are lovely, especially during the autumn and winter seasons.
SOUND.
Now let’s talk about ways to incorporate peaceful sounds into the home.
If you live in a quiet neighborhood—and if the weather permits—open a window and allow some fresh air and natural sound into the home. Birds singing, wind whistling, leaves shuffling — there’s nothing quite as peaceful as the sound of nature.
If an open window isn’t an option, play peaceful music. A soft instrument, like piano, calms the nervous system (a great go-to playlist is called Healing Piano on Spotify).
SIGHT.
Human beings are drawn to the sight of nature (we’ll travel across the world for certain sights), so why not bring nature into the home? A low-maintenance indoor houseplants, such as a snake plant, adds a lovely dose of green, and a fresh bouquet of flowers instantly adds natural beauty.
Also, certain colors, patterns, and quality impacts our moods. For example, a warm terracotta tile may evoke uplifting feelings, whereas a cool-glossy tiles may calm or soothe. A patterned tile may feel playful, whereas a porcelain subway tile may feel sophisticated.
Lastly, when we surround ourselves with quality materials, we are subconsciously reminded of excellence and grounded by long-term value. Consider it not only a practical investment, but also an investment on your wellbeing when you surround yourself with timeless quality pieces.
TOUCH.
Humans are tactile creatures, so try to fill your home with materials that bring you comfort to the touch.
In the living room, maybe you love a wool throw blanket or down feather pillows on the sofa. In the kitchen or bathroom, maybe you hang a lovely linen tea towel to enjoy after each wash. These little additions may seem benign, but the small added comfort can guide you into the present.
Also, what you stand on—i.e., your flooring—is really big for the tactile category. When you stand bare foot on the floor, do you prefer natural wood to vinyl? How about heated tile in the bathroom? These choices can really impact your day-to-day living experience.
TASTE.
A display of nourishment draws the attention like no other. Perhaps it’s a beautiful bowl of fruit, or a lovely glass container of coffee beans, or an antique tray of candy. Those little “extras” have a great impact on the moment before us.