Seeking Sanctuary

A house needs to be a home but I truly believe that your home needs to be your sanctuary also.

With the particularly hectic lives we lead these days it is more important than ever to be able to come home to an environment that allows and encourages all of its inhabitants to recharge, refocus and switch off.

How many times have you walked in to a friend or an acquaintances personal space, be that their home or office and felt enveloped by a sense of calm and ease whilst on the other hand noticed some environments feel chaotic and disjointed?

So what can you do in this muddled up, mixed up, shook up world to create a sense of refuge and peace of mind?

Here are just a few simple ways to put the ‘om’ back in your home this weekend.

Decluttering – Can’t think straight, feeling stressed? Take a quick look around your home. See lots of clutter and ghosts from fashions or events past? Don’t leave it until Spring, disorganised and clutter filled homes are not only a symptom of stress but the cause of stress in your life. Be ruthless! Throw out, stream line and straighten your home and you will automatically be creating a sense of serenity and relaxation.

Create a corner of calm – Many of us, including myself, have created a ‘great room’ in our home where the kitchen, dining and lounge room are combined, creating a wonderfully open plan feel. The downside of this family conducive design is that it also means more noise and commotion in areas that would often be restful. Create your own private space where you can go to read, write or even knit that allows a psychological if not actual distance between you and the family.

Fresh cut flowers or foliage – It doesn’t have to be an expensive indulgence to surround yourself with precious flowers and foliage. You can split a bunch of your favourite flowers into several vases and create the sense of visual abundance with foliage from your garden. Research has shown that people with fresh flowers in their home are most likely to feel less worried and anxious.

Inhale and fill your lungs with the realisation that you deserve to have a home that allows your heart and mind to unwind. This is the first step to creating your personal sanctuary. Namaste.