How to Create an Anti-Anxiety Retreat at Home:
Life can be very busy, overflowing with things to do and pull us in many demanding directions. Having a physical space and intentional time at home to unwind and relax is essential to both our mental and physical wellbeing. Having a place in your home that is setup for you to retreat to and unwind can be a helpful step to decreasing anxiety in your life, here are some suggestions to get you started:
Have calming paint colors on the walls such as blue, or neutral colors. This can create a restful state, even encourage sleepiness.
Put away social media and take a technology break from screens to give yourself time to go inwards and check-in with how you are doing both physically and emotionally and take care of yourself and be kind to yourself. Practicing self-compassion as researched by Kristin Neff. For a helpful resource on self-compassion watch this video: https://youtu.be/IvtZBUSplr4?si=YFAXw79e2oaCZi0-
Put on your coziest clothing, those flannel pj pants with your favourite thick soft socks or slippers, wrapping yourself in your weighted blanket.
Decorate with live plants where you can bring a little piece of nature indoors.
Declutter your retreat space to decrease stress and anxiety. Have routine small purging sessions of 15 minutes 2-3 times a week can be one strategy for staying on top of the clutter monster.
Use of calming organic essential oils such as lavender.
Create a calming instrumental playlist.
Open blinds to allow natural light to filter into your space.
Having comfy furniture to sit on or a yoga mat to lie down with a small pillow.
Pour yourself a warm cup of herbal tea or just cut up a lemon and pour the warm water over and ENJOY!
