Wellness, Mindfullness and Well Being: What You Might Not Know.
It’s hard to open a magazine these days without reading about wellness, mindfulness and well-being. Everyone has a different idea of what these buzz words represent. Is it air quality or creating a” Zen space”? Perhaps its lighting or maybe meditation. I say it is all of these and none of these. Let’s take a look at my take on wellness and well-being in the world of home design.
How do you define wellness?
The Global Wellness Institute defines wellness as “the active pursuit of activities, choices and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health” “.Wellness is an individual pursuit—we have self-responsibility for our own choices, behaviors and lifestyles—but it is also significantly influenced by the physical, social and cultural environments in which we live.”
Let’s face it, we live in a rather challenging environment today. The media is saturated with stories and videos of social media mavens, politicians pointing fingers, fake news, fashion faux pas, violence and unrest in the world. Where can we find that state of wellness and well-being?
How can we live in our fast paced world without being overwhelmed by it?
We can’t all control where we live but we can control how we live. Wellness focused interior design can promote physical well-being. I was fortunate to attend a conference where Dona
ld H Ruggles, AIA (American Institute of Architects) talked about the power of positive energy. In his book “Beauty, Neuroscience and Architecture” he explores how “architecture affects our brains, biology and well-being”. Some of the questions discussed were “Why do chaotic spaces make us uncomfortable?” and “Why is beauty so important to our well-being?”
Simple steps can be taken which will have a positive effect on our state of health. Here are some design tips you can use to improve your sense of peace, calm and balance.
What you see is what you get
Lighting
Did you know that natural lighting has been found to lessen symptoms of depression? We spend 80% of our time indoors. Light can be manipulated to energize or relax us. Blue lighting (morning light) increases energy levels and alertness while warmer lighting relaxes us and makes us sleepy. To illustrate, picture the cool dark blue color of the sky just before sunrise, gets you going right?. In contrast think about gazing at a sunset or basking in warm afternoon light. Time to unwind. This light cycle is known as circadian cycle and has everything to do with overall wellness. If our sleep wake cycles are off it has a profound impact on our health and well-being.
A room with a view
Seeing nature calms nerves, promotes healing, and acts as a mood booster. Our connection to the outdoors goes way back in our genetic code. If you don’t have a view what do you do? How about a beautiful poster of a landscape, a garden or even the ocean? In other words, virtual views can be just as beneficial as the real ones.
The Zen Spot
While a whole room for relaxation is definitely a luxury, any space that can provide a sense of feeling good will work. For me, I have a super comfy chair where I can curl up under a soft and cozy blanket and take 5 minutes to just breath. When I have more time, it is my spot to knit, read, take a catnap (another luxury) or just be.
Colors and textures
Last month I wrote about the color palettes from Sherwin Willliams paints for 2020. They were all about creating a mood and a sense of beauty in our homes. For example, If you are surrounded by colors that make you happy, your mood will definitely improve. Remember wellness and well-being come from making choices that lead to a state of holistic health. Let’s look at the rooms in your home. What about the things you live with every day? What if you could bring positive energy into your home? I want to live in an environment where a sense of calm, contentment and tranquility are the norm. Imagine if you could infuse those feelings into the things you come in contact with every day? I would say yes please.
The Power of Positive Energy
I have a card on my desk which was given to me by a friend. It says: “You are Responsible for the energy you bring into a room” . Did you know that you carry energy with you that can affect those around you? Equally important is that It is possible to infuse that energy into the things you live with. What if you could bring that “Zen” state to your home. Balancing the energy of the things you are around every day will help create a more soothing and harmonious home environment. Sound interesting? If you would like to work these ideas into your home or just want to learn a little more about positive energy, give a call or visit us online at Thyme & Place Design.
You can create the energy you want to live with. The Universe is listening, just ask.
Sharon L Sherman ASID CID CKD is a designer and Reiki Master located in New Jersey. Her award-winning designs and editorial comments have been featured in Woman’s Day, Country Decorating, Design NJ, Family Circle, 201 Magazine, The Best of Bergen, Savvy Living, The Record, The Star Ledger, Bergen Magazine and Aspire as well as several books. She has also appeared on HGTV’s My Big Amazing Renovation and episodes of House Smarts with Lou Manfredini.
