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Home Improvements for Health and Well-Being

Guest Author: Andrea Needham

There are many ways to make your home a healthier, more comforting environment without making a big financial investment. One strategy is to dedicate different areas of the home to different activities and improve those areas accordingly. As people spend more time at home, having special nooks for work or for wellness pursuits, such as yoga or meditation, is becoming popular. Other useful tactics include decluttering, paying more attention to storage, and repurposing items that just don’t work in the current configuration. Best of all, none of this needs to be expensive.

Look for small and creative fixes that improve daily living — start with the tips and suggestions below, brought to you by The Cincy Blog.

Room for Relaxation

If you have an extra bedroom or den area, why not turn it into a space for deep relaxation that the whole family can enjoy (although maybe not all at once)? Simplify the area as much as possible, clearing clutter and knickknacks. Open space can be calming all on its own. Choose neutral or pastel colors for the walls, and furnish the space simply but comfortably.

Whether it’s a place for quiet reading or an area for meditation, yoga, or pilates, add a few soothing decorative touches. For example, geodes are often associated with spiritual or healing modalities, and they’re beautiful to look at — click here for a selection of geodes. Strategically placing a few of these naturally stunning crystal-lined rock formations around a room can create calm and balanced energy.

Greener Solutions

A more eco-friendly space automatically conveys increased comfort and feelings of well-being. As more people become interested in ‘going green’,  finding non-toxic products and solutions just gets easier. Consider the following small adjustments that you can undertake over time:

• Remove carpets to reduce allergens. Over time, wall-to-wall carpeting is a trap for dust, mites, pet hair, and other possible allergens and allergy triggers. Go with hardwood and strategically placed washable rugs. Both are easier to clean regularly.
• Use non-toxic cleaners on surfaces. Many all-purpose cleaners contain harsh chemicals. Look for non-toxic, eco-friendly alternatives, or even better, make your own cleaning liquids using vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils or lemon.
• Use natural, untreated materials as much as possible. Bamboo and cork are great alternatives to treated wood. Untreated cotton, linen, wool, and other natural soft materials are healthier and also provide texture and comfort.

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Indoor/Outdoor Living

Take inspiration from the natural world, whether you’re landscaping your yard and creating outdoor rooms for summer living or surrounding yourself with indoor greenery. Outdoors, consider native plants and shrubs, such as cypress and juniper, that require less water.

Indoors, plants that filter clean air and are low maintenance include peace lily, aloe vera, and philodendron. Not only do plants contribute to better air quality, but their vivid colors are also easy on the eyes.

Small Steps, Big Difference.

Change can happen one small step at a time. If you’re in the Cincinnati area, resources abound for items and practices that can help create a calming decor.

About the Author:  Andrea Needham created Elders Day to remind everyone that getting older isn’t synonymous with slowing down. Everyone has their own pace, but age shouldn’t be what stops you from fulfilling dreams, goals, and desires. Here’s where you can find my website: eldersday.org.