What’s Space Got to do With it? Tips on Creating a Healing Space
My Momma has always said, your environment is a reflection of your mind. I've applied this idea in my own life and over time have come to the conclusion that physical spaces are truly lifelines to healing. Think about it, have you ever entered a place that changed your entire mood? For me, it's mom and pop bookstores, quaint little coffee shops, yoga studios with lavender aromas, vibey art galleries, zen-inspired day spas, the ocean, and sometimes my very own foliage filled living room... when it's clean. These are all environments that provide me with a sense of presence, calm, and a reassuring sense of safety to release repressed thoughts. It is something about these spaces that make me want to breathe in everything I need in the moment and exhale all the junk that I don’t.
It turns out, I did not just make this stuff up! What I am describing is a known as a healing environment. A healing environment is any environment that cultivates a nurturing and therapeutic effect. Healing environments are subjective in nature and look different for all of us. Healing places generate a sense of cohesiveness of the mind, body, and spirit, according to a recent research study that investigated the concept of healing environments. They encourage healing relationships and work to support healing intents.
Now, I can only speak for myself, whether it is the lack of work-life balance, a rife in my relationships, or a big life change. My truth is, like so many others, whenever I am overwhelmed, running on fumes, and deprived of some much deserving TLSC "tender loving SELF care" I look around and chances are my environment reflects my emotional unbalance. My dishes are likely piled up, clothes thrown across the treadmill that has not been powered on in weeks, my kitchen table confettied with the latest toddler masterwork of art, and centerpieced with a random power drill.
So now you may be asking yourself, how can I create a healing environment? The good news is, creating a healing environment does not require hiring the latest HGTV design star. It is free, and only takes a little time, an open mind, and good intention. Consider the following:
1. Start Small: For starters, focus on where you spend most of your time, modest spaces included! This may be a small corner, closet, or room. Consider which activities you find to be the most therapeutic and modify the environment to reflect this. If you like reading, you may want to move-in a comfy chair, a lamp to provide good lighting, and your favorite cozy throw. Do you enjoy adult coloring? Grab your favorite adult coloring book, pencils, a small table, bench, or barstool to create a creative nook just for you. Remember small changes count too!
2. Bye Clutter: Visual "noise" exacerbates stress. When our space is cluttered, filthy, or chaotic, naturally we feel more anxious, depressed, or helpless. Keep in mind, Rome wasn't built in a day! Start by clearing off a counter, organize a drawer, or declutter a shelf. Keep your space free of unwanted and unneeded clutter going forward and expand on it by completing one more area at a time. As a result, you'll feel accomplished, which will encourage you to keep going and give you something to concentrate on when the chaos around you becomes disheartening.
3. Bring the Green Indoors: Countless studies prove that being in nature is good for reducing stress, it calms anxiety, and heighten positive emotions. Put a comfy chair where you may appreciate views of trees, other plants, or other natural features if you have them. If your space does not offer a natural scenic view, consider adding Artwork that depicts scenes of nature, aquariums, natural light, flowers, and of course house plants!
4. Light up to Calm Down: Natural light, or daylighting, has been shown to improve mood, enhance morale, and improve low energy. So make use of any available natural light in your space. Also to create a vibe add a variety of other light sources such a floor lamp, candles, or LED lights.
5. Shhh: The world around us can be so loud! Be mindful of how much noise you are actually making. For instance, are you actually watching TV, or is it just playing in the background? Do you really need to listen to music while reading? Perhaps choosing "vibrate" as opposed to the latest ringtone? Small actions can have a huge impact on fostering and maintaining peace.
6. Consider your Internal Environment: Think about your mental environment as well as your physical environment. Recognize that positive attitudes, resilience, self-efficacy, and a sense of control are associated with good health and may be acquired through practice. For your encounters at home, make a good intention to bring awareness to thoughts. Establish a mediation practice, journaling, physical movement, or gardening. All can help in quieting your mind. “To the quiet mind, all things are possible.” ~Anonymous
Go ahead, clean your house, light that incense, bless yourself with that houseplant, open a window and draw back that curtain! Vibe to your favorite sound or beat. My hope is that you breathe in this space, pray in this space, move and manifest in this space; cry in this space, release and discover and rediscover in this space. My hope is for you to allow this new environment to be your refuge that leads you to pave your unique pathway to a healing plan. One thing that I know for sure, is we cannot expect to heal in the same environment(s) that make us sick.
Journal Prompts:
What makes you feel calm?
What items in your space can you live without?
Playlist Suggestions:
Morning Sunrise- Yazmin Lacey
Eternal Sunshine. Jhené Aiko. Jhené Aiko
Sacred Space- India Arie
