Healing Spaces: 8 Steps to Setting Up your Mindfulness Sanctuary

Studies show that the environment we live in affects our mind, body and spirit, which collectively can affect our well-being. Variables to consider when it comes to your healing space are room layout, the view, nature, light, noise control and the feeling of home. The purpose of these spaces is to support healing.

Make this space feel like you, let it reflect your personality and bring joy.

In our fast paced world, finding a safe place to be with ourselves takes some planning. Creating your mindfulness sanctuary will allow you to have that place available whenever you need some time alone. You may use it for any mindful practice that you enjoy such as journaling, reflection, meditation, creation pranayama, and yoga/movement.

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Now lets get started with the steps you need to set up your personal mindfulness sanctuary.

Space: Pick an area in your home that is just for your and your practice. It can be a separate room, or even a corner of a room that is away from the actions of the household. Try and keep the space clean and clutter free, so you feel calm when you are there. Even consider smudging to remove any negativity in the area.
Theme: Decide on the feeling you want to evoke when you are in this space and design your theme around that. I always feel relaxed by the ocean, so I surround myself with the different blue tones of water. Or maybe the mountains make you feel happy, so you want to add some wood elements and forest greens. Use sites such as Pinterest for inspiration.
Comfort: Keep your space simple yet comfortable. Only bring into the space the things you will use. If you spend most your time on the yoga mat, add a blanket for comfort. If you plan to use this space to meditate, secure a comfy mediation cushion. If you plan to spend most your time reading and journaling, then consider a comfy chair. Design your space purposefully.
Inspiration: We all have quotes or saying that motivate us. Make some flash cards to post some inspirational quotes around your space. Consider the people who inspire you and add their photos to the space. Your inspiration is deeply personal and should reflect what inspires your well-being.
Lighting: Get into the mood! Consider using warm amber lighting and avoid the stimulating blue light from computers, phones and tv’s. You can light your space with a salt lamp where the salt produce negative ions, which yield positive effects on indoor air by balancing electromagnetic radiation and purifying the air. Use candles made from essential oils (more on that later), for ambiance. Avoid scented cancels that contain paraffin wax which when burned release toxic compounds into the air such as acetone and benzene (know carcinogens).
Scent: Add an essential oil diffuser to your space. Pick a company that doesn’t use fillers in its essential oils, and pick scents that resonate with the healing benefits you are trying to gain. This effect can also be illicited from essential oil candles.
Sound: Since you will be trying to relax in this space so you can promote health, pick calming sounds from water fountains, singing bowls, to birds chirping, or even silence so you can reflect.
Nature: Extend nature into your space. I like to have my space face towards a window with trees and the sun, as that brings me energy. However, when its dark outside, I can still feel nature with adding plants to my space. There are so many kinds of house plants to consider, even ones that help purify the air giving you an extra does of well-being.

Now that I have given you the basics and hopefully stimulated your mind, go set up your mindful sanctuary and if you feel inspired to share, send me a photo. If you still need some ideas, head over to my page to “shop” for some of my favorite brands that can add some comfort to your healing space.

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