Here's How to Create an At-Home Sanctuary

Here’s the thing; 2020 was a rollercoaster, and 2021 has already been a whirlwind and it’s only March. And while the light at the end of the COVID tunnel is growing ever brighter, we still have a short ways to go before any of us are back working in offices or local coffee shops and any of our regular haunts. Ensuring we have the same mental breathing room as we normally would when on the commute home from work is more important than ever in this new WFH (Work from Home) age. Popping in your headphones or turning on the radio and listening to a podcast or your favourite music, reading a book on public transit, or just watching people walk by on the street; there are so many things I think we all took for granted to help us wind down on our way home after a long workday.

But now, our workspace is our home space, and the line between working from home and living at home can become blurred. Being able to set boundaries for yourself, whether physical or mental, is extremely beneficial and can mean the obvious difference between your 9-5 job and your personal time. That is why I make the effort to make my space during personal time extra luxurious and relaxing. Read on to see how I like to unwind at the end of a WFH day.

ESSENTIAL OILS

One of the best ways to make your space feel like a serene spa is by using essential oils. I love dropping my fave scents into my Saje diffuser and letting it fill my space with comforting and calming smells. For your morning routine, try invigorating oils such as citrus and eucalyptus, and for bedtime opt for grounding oils like chamomile and lavender. Some of my go-to options from Saje are Liquid Sunshine, Dream State, and the Relaxation Room Collection, but you can find essential oils anywhere. Even your local grocery store or health food store will likely stock these relaxation-in-a-bottle oils.

QUIET MUSIC

Once my essential oils are running, I like to throw on some quiet background music to either wake up or wind down to. There is something about getting zen alongside a soothing playlist of ambient music. Put it on and have the playlist further contribute to your personal sanctuary at home with the subtle sounds of jazz or new age instrumental. Here are a few of my most-played choices:

COLOURED LIGHTS

Another thing I really like to do, especially before bed, is put on coloured lights. I find that greens, purples, and yellows are the best when I’m trying to slow down and calm my mind at the end of a workday. Studies have shown that colour does, in fact, provide restful and soothing effects. Green reminds us of nature, yellow the sun, so it makes perfect sense that coloured lights would help create a personal sanctuary within your home. We use Philips Hue smart lights which are controllable by mobile device and compatible with Google Home and other smart home devices. However, there are tons of options out there now when it comes to coloured/changeable lighting.

HUMIDIFIER

In winter especially, I cannot live without a humidifier. Not only does it help quench my severely parched skin, it also contributes to the overall atmosphere of my space. I prefer a humidifier that is quiet and long-lasting so I don’t have to constantly refill it throughout the day. The one I regularly have next to me, whether in the bathroom getting ready in the morning or on my bedside table at night, is the Sienna humidifier from So Dreamy Co. It comes in two different colours, mists for anywhere from 5-7 hours, is rechargeable and wireless and doubles as a warm-toned nightlight.

Bonus: I’ve recently partnered with So Dreamy Co. to give away a personal humidifier of your very own. For more info on how to enter, click here or check out So Dreamy Co.’s Instagram feed.

How do you differentiate between work time and home time? Do you have a favourite essential oil or playlist that you love to help you slow down and rest at the end of the day? Let me know in the comments!

And don’t forget that today is International Women’s Day. So, be sure to celebrate all of the special women who have had an impact on your life!

❤