Spring seems to be a period of great stress for many people. School and work get busier, life gets a bit harder and you are still trying to kick the seasonal depression. Sometimes, all it takes is adding a little zen to your life to bring back the positive energy. Your home is a great place to start for de-stressing. Your house should be your sanctuary, so let’s find some ways that you can create your own personal zen space within your home to bring some calmness back into your life.
Natural light instantly adds a sense of zen to your space because it brings a piece of the outdoors inside. Image courtesy of Unsplash.
The best and easiest way to add a little calm to your life is creating as much natural light in your home as possible. If there’s a window covered by something, like dark curtains or a piece of furniture, change it. Opt for lighter colored curtains in the springtime, or just make sure to open your dark shades when you get up in the morning to let the light in.
Although a little more involved, getting new windows may also help to let more natural light in. Older windows tend to be a bit more bulky, so in turn, there’s more coverage. Getting windows with more glass and less window sill will create the effect of bigger windows, therefore creating more natural light.
If you don’t have a lot of windows or access to natural lighting, you can always mimic natural light with the right type of light fixtures and bulbs. Updating some of your lighting can help with this.
Adding plants to any room in your house can instantly add a sense of calm. Image courtesy of Unsplash.
Plants add zen to every space they are in. No matter what kind of plant you're on the market for, they can add calm to every room you add them to. If you are looking for a long-term relationship, a potted house plant is the way to go. You can dedicate your time to her and make it a point to check on her every day to ensure she’s alive and well.
On the other hand, you may be looking for more of a “spring fling” type of relationship. In this case, find a vase that you enjoy and take a trip to your local grocery store for some fresh flowers. The great thing about a fresh bouquet is that you can add them to every room in the house, and no one bouquet will look the same, so, no repeats!
Taking care of plants, whether growing or already cut, can also be a nice mental break if it is something you enjoy. Taking the time out of your day to take care of something other than yourself can often be a nice break from reality. Watering and taking care of a plant can be a form of meditation for some people– a great and easy way to add zen.
Aromatherapy is a great way to calm the nerves and promote creativity. Image courtesy of Unsplash.
The perfect way to add a small piece of zen to any room is to give it a signature smell. Whether you are a candle person, an incense kind of guy, or more of an essential oil gal, there is something for everyone in the scent department.
Candles, essential oil diffusers, and incense holders are also great decor additions to a room, and the type that you pick can say a lot about your personality. From minimalist to maximalist, there is a design for everyone to choose from, and it can add a lot to your home.
Additionally, the scent you choose says a lot about the type of person you are, and what you choose for your home to smell like. If you are trying to pick something a bit more zen like, try patchouli or lavender.
Decorating your space with earthy colors will create a more peaceful environment. Image courtesy of Unsplash.
Adding some earth tones to your home is a great way to add zen to your environment. Also, refreshing your decor a bit is a great way to declutter your house, and your mind. Buying some new earth-toned pillows or a new lamp for a room or two in your house will easily create a more peaceful environment.
Earth tones are known to be calming because our minds relate them back to nature. Green, blue, brown, and yellow are great options to add to your list when on the prowl for some new additions. Earth tones can also increase the brain's creativity levels because they are known to calm the brain.
Decluttering your space can create room for items you may want or need, and it can give those old items a second life. Image courtesy of Unsplash.
Thinking about spring cleaning? Now is a great time to get ahead on that. Decluttering your home will make you feel more at peace, because you will realize that you have so many items lying around that you never use. Hold a garage sale, donate to charity, or start a Poshmark account. Not only is this a great way to rehome your unused goods and give them a second life, but it also takes some stress off of your shoulders and empties some space in your closet, cabinets, and bedroom.
Decluttering your home also releases tons of stress and anxiety. You would be surprised how much of a hold some of those items may have on your mental wellbeing! Ridding yourself of these things will help you to clean more easily, be more creative with your space, and leave room for new purchases.
Zen decor does not have to be the mainstream idea of zen, it is all in what makes you calm within your own home. Image courtesy of Unsplash.
When you think of “zen decor,” you think of salt lamps, zen gardens, meditation cushions– the whole nine yards. But, in reality, zen decor is adding things to your home that bring you peace and comfort. You do not have to fit your home into the mold of a hippy or a yogi just to find zen– zen and calmness come from within you! Remember that when you are shopping for new decor and things to add to your house.
