With so much change going on this year, so much heartache, and so much uncertainty, many of us are feeling the need for a bit of calm and maybe even retreat to come back into our lives. There’s something to be said for complete rest and relaxation. In fact, taking time out every now and again can actually prevent us from getting sick. However, so many Americans rarely take their allotted holiday allowance or feel bad for doing so, and that number almost directly coincides with rising rates of stress and mental health problems like depression in today’s workforce.
It’s not just the workforce we have to be concerned about either. Many parents are feeling the strain, and young people for whom the financial struggles in life are almost unbearable.
This is exactly the reason why investing in you and your surroundings is actually vital. You need to set up your personal space, whether that’s a sprawling ten bedroom mansion in the country or a tiny little bedsit on the wrong side of town. Making your space your own little retreat is great for your mental well-being and even your physical health.
Decide What’s Important
One of the most important things you can do when you decide to set up your space in your home is what is important to you.
Do you want a stark, minimalist space with no clutter that allows you the space to think and create without interruption? Or are you after somewhere cozier, with pictures and trinkets that remind you of happy times?
There’s no right or wrong answer here; it’s about doing what’s best for you and, because it’s your space and your home, you are free to change your mind and incorporate different styles into different spaces as you please.
For example, you might want to go with a very country rustic look throughout your house with lots of natural materials and reclaimed accents, but your study is a place where you work, and for that, you might decide to go full-on industrial with your look. This could mean implementing lots of oak, steel, iron, brass through your furniture, lighting, flooring, and vital work accessories. That’s your space, and it’s absolutely fine to do it your way.
Make Comfort A Priority
As much as deciding your priorities is important, one of those priorities must be to make sure your home is comfortable. There are all kinds of different ideas about what ‘comfort’ really is. For some, it’s having hundreds of candles burning and incense burning, but for others, it’s about filling every seating option with a thousand and one blankets. You might be one of those people where a simple reading nook is the ultimate comfort spot.
Comfortable seating is a must whatever space you’re redesigning. If you want some inspiration, big comfortable seating like a giant beanbag from SumoLounge is a must to make your home a comfortable and welcoming place for both your guests and yourself.
Make One Room As Beautiful As Possible
There’s a great quote by Canadian Psychologist Dr. Jordan B Peterson onthe most valuable things everyone should know;he says, “Try to make one room in your house as beautiful as possible”.
At first, you may wonder why that particular nugget is so valuable, but on closer inspection, the reasoning is simple: there are many things in this world we cannot change, but our own space we can, and with that, we can make at least one part of our own space as beautiful and calming as possible.
This has deep ramifications if you make one room in your home (or area of your particular space) as beautiful and as welcoming as possible. This way, you know that whatever is going on outside of your you-zone, you’ll always have that one space to be proud of. Having at least one thing to be proud of is, for some people, the only thing that keeps them going, so don’t knock it!
Don’t Ban Devices (but ban devices)
If you’re looking to create a peaceful, calming, and comfortable retreat in your home, you may want to consider banning devices, but it’s not that simple.
Many of us find that being close to a device such as a smartphone or a laptop means we’re connected, and in these times of social-distancing, being connected in any way, shape, or form is vital for our mental health.
So, what are you to do about the devices situation?
Set limits.
This is particularly important with social media. You need to set limits that allow you to be in control of how much time you’re spending online and on platforms that aren’t healthy places.
Social media sites such as Twitter and Instagram regularly top lists as the most toxic places to spend your time online. Facebook is usually a close third, but sites such as Pinterest can actually make you feel happier!
Download a digital well-being app, or try a few out, see how much time you’re spending on each network, or on other games or apps, and see how they affect your mood. If you find yourself getting more upset or worked up by a certain platform and its users, it might be time to take a break from that platform for a while.
Taking a break is a good idea; even for just 24 hours, it gives you a chance to calm down and reset. This way, you can only enjoy the positive benefits of social media, devices, and technology, rather than the negative.
Mood Lighting Lifts Moods
In John’ Lofty’ Wiseman’s world-famous “SAS Survival Handbook,” you can learn how to survive in just about any climate, but one of the main things, in any survival situation, that will keep you alive is your ability to make fire.
Want to know why?
Morale.
Morale is boosted when we see fire, it’s an inbuilt human reaction, and we get the same from soft lighting, candles, and wood-burning stoves. Invest in a few if you want your home to feel like a retreat.
