Reach Out Today Reach Out Today

Written by Emily Norris Harrington

Wellness is a very topical subject these days for obvious reasons, and it can mean so many different things to so many people. Wellness is broad and layered, it may include nutrition — perhaps eating one additional green vegetable a day. It could be fitness, maybe trying an online pilates class or incorporating a short walk around the block. It could be trying a calming meditation, or simply focussing on your breath for a few minutes before bedtime. One thing is for sure – we are all spending more time at home than we ever have before and we are probably feeling some additional stress overall, and wellness is something we can tap into one way or another in order to feel better. We did some research and came up with some easy ways to incorporate a little more wellness into our homes. These are meant to be simple, accessible ideas that do not break the bank – but most importantly they are meant to inspire some peace and calm at home.

I don’t know about you, but with the additional wear and tear on my house over the past eight months I am in need of a new paint job for many of my walls (actually probably all of them). My go-to is the warm, neutral Cloud White by Benjamin Moore, but lately I’ve been looking into exploring some new, soothing colour options to create a really calm environment. This means no dark reds, oranges, or heavily saturated colours – instead I’m exploring very mellow yellows, muted soft greens and even light pinks. Most likely I won’t paint all the walls in colour, but I will choose one or two – in the entryway to set the mood, or in a quiet corner that we use for reading. Colour is a very quick and easy way to set an entirely new tone in your home, hands-down.

Lighting is another way to induce a soothing, wellness-focussed environment. Above all else, natural light and sunlight are proven to be the most uplifting sources of energy and have actually been proven to give a boost to your mood, focus, happiness and even sleep cycles. If you have great windows in your home, think about removing heavy drapery or anything that is blocking the light – this includes large pieces of furniture. Instead of putting a big sofa in front of a window, why not rearrange the layout and go with a chair or two in order to let the light shine in to the max. If you don’t have any windows in a room, think about installing one – or a skylight. Yes, these are more costly approaches but if you plan on staying put for a while, it may be worth it. If windows aren’t aplenty, find a great lamp with some dimming options to create a warm ambient light source. These days all the lightbulbs come in a soft or warm yellow variety, and those are always good choices. 

Nature and natural elements are a very effective way to induce a sense of calm at home. Although I don’t have the best green thumb, there are a few spots in my house that house leafy trees and plants. I went and spoke to garden experts at my local nursery and they are the best resources to find the right indoor plants for your space. I make sure that there are plants in a few areas of my home that are clearly in my site lines so that they catch my attention, and they truly help me focus and calm any nerves. Pick up some easy-to-care-for house plants this fall and give them a try. 

The last tip would be to explore scent at home. A few years ago I was gifted a small plug-in diffuser, and at first I didn’t use it because I really didn’t know what to do with it. One day I plugged it in after a particularly strong fish was cooking in the kitchen, and I added a few drops of essential oil along with water and turned it on. From that day onward I was hooked. The diffuser created the most soothing and subtle scent that wafted through the house very lightly, and it I truly made me feel really happy. (It also wiped out the smell of fish.) Scent has an enormous ability to boost moods and create a wonderful ambiance to any space. I now have three diffusers for different areas of my home, but I especially love using it at the front door, as it sets a really uplifting and positive tone right off the bat. 

We wish you the best in any wellness journey you are on, we know that these days are hard for many of us, and if you can create a space that is uniquely geared towards your own needs, well that’s the best possible outcome. We always welcome your comments and as always, drop us a line for any real estate needs. Happy Fall!