The winter season is here once more. While the colder months are sometimes romanticized as a cozy winter wonderland surrounded by the warm glow of string lights everywhere, it can also be a time of stress and anxiety. For some, the winter months even trigger seasonal affective disorder.
This is why self-care is more important than ever. While self-care isn’t exactly a panacea for more serious mental health issues, it can potentially keep the winter blues at bay. Part of it may mean making simple adjustments to make your home relaxing this winter.
Here are some tips to create a relaxing and cozy winter retreat:
1. Declutter Your Space
A cluttered space can be a serious contributor to stress. While a clean and organized home is important year-round, decluttering your space in the winter can be a ritual: a clean slate for the new year.
Take some time to declutter your home, one room at a time. It’s a good activity to keep the mind from meandering, and you have a better living space at the end of the day.
2. Display Calming Colors
The colors in your living space can significantly impact your mood. If neutral colors mostly surround your home, as most homes are for practical reasons, consider adding an extra layer of calming colors.
Calm hues can be anything from pastels and earthy tones to festive seasonal colors. It’s your choice. However, it's worth noting that soft blues and greens are often associated with reducing stress and anxiety, although your reactions to certain colors play a more significant role.
3. Add Extra Layers of Cozy
Cold weather requires a warm ambiance, which can come not only from the space heater but also from the comforting layers we see in our spaces.
Simple touches of textured layers like chunky knits, faux fur throw blankets, thicker fabrics, and throw pillows can help create a cozy and relaxing atmosphere. For a more grounded feel, incorporate natural elements like wood, stone, rattan, and linen fabric. Then, add warm, soft lighting for that extra layer of visual interest.
4. Find a Way to Bring Natural Light In
Natural light can create a more calming atmosphere. When sunlight enters space, it interacts with objects, and the way it casts shadows and reflects off surfaces creates a layered visual experience. A study suggests that we need this interplay of light in our spaces and the lack of it can have a poor impact on our well-being.
During the winter season, you might prefer heavy curtains for warmth. Opt for lined curtains in pastels to bring in natural light while blocking drafts effectively.
If your home doesn’t get a lot of natural light, consider having more floor lamps and table lamps for extra light. Warm lighting, especially in layers of soft glow, can help create a welcoming atmosphere as opposed to white light which can make spaces feel sterile in winter.
5. Engage All Senses
When we make changes in our homes, we tend to only focus on the visual aspect. But to make spaces more relaxing, we need a multi-sensory experience.
Sound can be a powerful tool for relaxation. Consider investing in a white noise machine that plays nature sounds like the rain or ocean waves. You can also create a calming soundscape by just playing soft instrumental music or meditation sounds.
Engaging our sense of smell can also help us relax. Consider using warm and comforting fragrances in your home through scented candles, diffusers, or potpourri. Place them on strategic surfaces like the console table in the hallway or the coffee table in the living room. To get in theme with the holiday season, go for warm scents that add a layer of nostalgia like vanilla, cinnamon, or pine.
Photo by Kaboompics.com from Pexels
6. Go the Extra Mile for Self-Care
Tweaking things around in your living space is only part of the process of making your home relaxing. You also have to do the work inwards, too.
Explore Outdoor Spaces
The cold winter months naturally draw us indoors. But it’s also important to spend some time outdoors and connect with nature.
Take a short walk in the park or simply sit outside to enjoy a few minutes of winter air. No matter how short, time spent in nature is time well spent. It can help reduce stress and improve overall well-being.
Prioritize Sleep
A good night’s sleep is essential for both physical and mental health. Create a relaxing bedtime routine, which may include a warm bath, reading a book, or listening to calming music. Also, make sure your bedroom promotes a sense of calm and is comfy enough to keep your feet warm.
Limit Screen Time
The blue light emitted by our screen can interfere with sleep, increasing stress. Limit your screen time in the evening and avoid using your phone in bed, especially when you’re about to sleep.
Set Up a Cozy Nook
Having a personal, cozy nook away from communal spaces in your home helps you ground yourself. It can just be a small corner in your living space where you can set up a cushy chair and a folding table. No matter how simple, it can be the perfect spot to read, journal, listen to music, create crafts, or however you wish to unwind.
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The key to a relaxing winter home is to prioritize your needs, as well as consider the preferences of family and friends if you share your space with others.
Whether it’s a cozy reading nook, a calming color palette, or a fragrant candle, choose things that you resonate with and bring you joy.
So, start creating your cozy, relaxing home today and enjoy the warmth and comfort it brings.
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Featured Photo by KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA via Pexels