Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson recently moved into a posh New York City Chelsea condo, where tenants can enjoy the building’s “wellness level,” complete with a juice bar, a private spa suite and a steam room. Citizen360, a similar upscale condominium complex on the Upper East Side in New York City, offers yoga rooms and infrared saunas as amenities. Other posh buildings boast “living green walls” and waterfalls.
As the amount of time we spend indoors peaks (it’s at 90 percent now), the demand for “wellness architecture” is rising, but deluxe high-rise condos’ built-in air filtration systems and fancy spas are a luxury few can afford. The good news is that there are plenty of small, budget-friendly details we can incorporate into our homes that are science-proven to boost well-being. Here are five great places to start:
1. Drive healthy habits with reminders
You don’t need to entirely renovate your home in order to incorporate wellness into your life. Small details can make a huge difference. If you work from home, set reminders to stand up and take a walk every few hours. If you can’t always make it to the gym, keep small fitness-related items, like a yoga mat or resistance band, around. If you need a boost of motivation, print out mantras to hang up around your home that encourage active living, deep breathing and mental clarity. A little quote-ivation on your wall can go a long way.
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2. Set the mood with lighting
Natural light streaming through your window in the morning. Flickering candles at the dinner table. Dimmed lighting before bedtime. The light in your home sets the tone throughout your day and can affect your sleep, mood and overall well-being. For example, we know that putting away sources of blue light before bed can encourage healthy sleep habits. By optimizing your lighting to accommodate different moods and activities, you can sleep better, live better and feel better. One easy step: install multiple dimmable floor lamps rather than one bright ceiling light in your living room and a dimmer in your bathroom to help you unwind while you’re getting ready for bed.
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3. Turn your space into a sanctuary with plants
Plants can help clear the air in your home of chemicals from plastics, paints and cleaners, NASA research has found. Even a few plants around a room will add to an airy, organic aesthetic and help you reap the calming benefits of connecting with nature. Bring the outside in with a mini vertical garden — hang several shelves and fill them with lush, drapey potted plant varieties such as philodendron and English ivy.
4. Make your kitchen a collaborative space
Preparing dinner can often feel more like a chore than a relaxing activity, but by getting the family (or roommates or friends) involved, your kitchen can be a space for enjoyable nights and healthy habits. You don’t need an organic juice bar in your home to create a space of wellness. By simply stocking the fridge with fresh ingredients rather than packaged ones and getting your loved ones together for conversation and cooking, you can turn your kitchen into a space that boosts both emotional and physical well-being. No juice barista required.
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5. Boost the spalike vibes with scent
According to Dr. Shannon E. Duke Becker, a doctor of comparative biomedical sciences and founder of Petrichor Apothecary, studies show that citrus scents like lemon, orange and bergamot can lower anxiety — and that lavender induces calmer brain waves. Diffusers that mist the air with essential oils are a good option to incorporate these healing scents into your decor.
Originally published on Thrive Global.
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