Reduce Stress in 2023 with a Dedicated Wellness Room
Health and wellness at home
One of my passions as an Interior Designer is understanding how our environment can impact our health and well-being. During 2020, one of my hobbies became indoor gardening, which quickly grew into a full room being taken over by 50+ plants. Since then, I have moved to a new home where I have built a Wellness Room into my personal garden oasis.
In today’s world, staying healthy in body and mind can be challenging. We’re constantly being faced with something that throws our balance off and this in turn affects our quality of life. Being able to improve your self-care in the convenience of your home is priceless.
Excess clutter and a home that is in constant disarray can lead to a closed-in feeling and induce more anxiety. Designating an area in your home for a place to chill out can help clear your mind and reduce stress. It’s important to keep in mind environmental and biological factors when designing a wellness space. This space should be more than a place to retreat back to relax after a long day; it should also be a space that promotes health and wellness for your body.
I have always been interested in understanding how the environment can impact health and well-being. WELL is a commitment to advancing human health in buildings and communities, using evidence-based medical research by scientists, medical professionals, wellness teachers, and architects.
At Sarah Jacquelyn Interiors, we are committed to doing our research and educating the public on the ways that environmental and biological factors play a role in our health and wellness.
Your wellness journey starts at home. Read on to learn how to design a wellness space, incorporating the seven WELL concepts for a healthier building.
10 Steps to Creating Your Wellness Room
AIR: Get an Air Purifier
We spend 90% of our time indoors, therefore indoor air quality is vitally important. Indoor air quality issues can diminish work productivity, and overall health, and cause sick building syndrome.
An air filter with an activated carbon filter can absorb pollutants and VOCs. Here’s my favorite: LEVOIT Air Purifiers
2. WATER: Reduce Contaminants with a Water Filter
Clean drinking water is vital for optimal health. Water helps our body transport nutrients and waste, regulates temperature, and serves as a shock absorber for the brain.
Lead and mercury in our drinking water have been linked to developmental delays, learning disabilities, high blood pressure, and kidney problems.
Organic contaminants like Benzene and PCBs are linked to cancer, immune deficiencies, and nervous system difficulties.
Carbon filters like Brita are effective at removing these and other harmful chemicals.
3. HOBBIES: Food for Your Soul
It’s important to give yourself permission to spend time doing things you love. They help you clear your mind, relax, reduce stress, and can give you feelings of great satisfaction.
Your wellness room is a great place to create a hobby area that can help improve your quality of life. Hobby spaces can be anything you want. A large table to work from is important if your hobby includes puzzles or building Legos.
Most hobbies are enjoyed sitting down, so a nice comfy chair or sofa is essential. I love cozying up in my hanging chair in the early morning with a cup of coffee and a book.
Here are some of my favorites:
4. MIND: The Importance of Meditation
Mindfulness and meditation are great tools to help train your mind to focus.
Meditation spaces don’t need to be large, but they should incorporate things that help you relax. Lay a mat down in your wellness room for a designated space and to remind you to take a few moments to relax every day.
I love using to Calm App for daily medication and balance.
Another great way to promote mindfulness is to create a health and wellness library. Include books and magazines on self-care, personal development, recipes, and educational topics to help you live a more balanced life.
5. COMFORT: Improve Your Health
Graphic: EZ Living Interiors
Comfort can be physical, mental, thermal, acoustic, or olfactory comfort (smell).
An environment that prioritizes comfort can help you focus more and perform better.
Design an environment that considers ergonomics: furniture that is designed and arranged in a way that enables people to work more efficiently and comfortably.
My favorite way to embrace comfort in my wellness room is by cozying up with a soft throw blanket, making sure the temperature is just right, adding some ambient music, and turning on some citrus essential oils.
6. LIGHTING: Natural Light is Critical to Our Health
Graphic: EZ Living Interiors
Light is vitally important in the design of any space, not just visually but also physically.
All light, even indoor light, affects our bodies. Since we spend 90% of our time indoors, improper lighting can impact our phase cycles and cause issues with our sleep.
As humans, our bodies run on a 24-hour cycle called a circadian rhythm. We need exposure both to light and darkness to maintain healthy cycles.
Our bodies respond to external cues (zeitgebers) that align with physiological functions in the solar cycle. Light is one of the most important zeitgebers, as it keeps our bodies internal clock synchronized.
Make sure your wellness room location has access to natural light, not just for plants, but for you as well!
7. BIOPHILLIC DESIGN: Blending the Inside and Outside
When putting together your wellness room, consider using organic shapes, patterns, and colors. Immerse yourself in a luscious garden of soft greens.
Bring the outdoors in with colorful succulents, pothos, monstera, and more types of plants!
This supports cognitive function, physical health, and psychological well-being.
Adding a wellness room is a great way to incorporate Biophilia into your home.
8. FITNESS: Wellness for Your Body
Wellness encompasses so many aspects of our lives.
Add weights, a hula hoop, an elliptical, or a treadmill to your wellness room.
Leave these items accessible and out to remind yourself to use them.
Adding a full-length mirror in the room can also help with your daily fitness routine.
9. NOURISHMENT: Mindful Snacks in Your Wellness Room
Nutrition plays a major role in chronic disease prevention.
2.7 million people die people die annually worldwide due to insufficient fruit and vegetable intake
Having a space to take a break and snack mindfully without TV or other distractions is critically important to your daily health.
Try having a fresh smoothie packed with fruits and veggies in your wellness room to relax. Stay mindful by turning off all devices and sitting quietly, enjoying the moment.
10. DECOR: Design to Make you Smile
Add art you’ve collected or even made yourself to this space.
Objects from your travels for good memories can also boost your mood.
Paint the walls a cheerful color that invigorates and inspires.
A Healing Crystal Zen Garden, is a great element to add a relaxing and beautiful element to the space.
Try incorporating decorative accessories, photos, and other meaningful pieces into your wellness room.
“We’re not designing places to live. We’re designing how we live. Leading research demonstrates that the way our buildings are designed, constructed and maintained has a profound impact on how we live. When we design our buildings, we define how we sleep, what we eat and how we feel throughout the day. ”
Get Inspired!
Photos: Sarah Jacquelyn Interiors, Maryline Damour, Ashton Woods, Sean Litchfield
