During this time of “stay home and stay safe”, many people are working from home or have lost their jobs altogether. So, that means it’s important to budget accordingly. On the other hand, with all this extra time you now have, you can use your energy to get really creative, both economically and with the purpose of making you and your family’s life easier in your intimate surroundings.
Now is the perfect time to think about designing your intimate environment for comfort and security. It’s also necessary for the rest and deep relaxation we all need during these trying times of pandemic.
Of course, anything you design in your environment must mesh with your lifestyle along with your basic needs. It is also worth noting that you don’t need to go big with your plans. Instead, start out with a small project and build out from there – all while you stay home and stay safe.
There are many ways that color, light, living plants, and furniture arrangements affect our moods and productivity. The following are some of my thoughts about these tips that help while we all stay home and stay safe.
Bring the Outside In
Grow plants in and around your home. Breathing fresh air is paramount to a good work from home experience. Were there limits set on the amount of plants you could have on your desk at the office? Well! You can set your own limits at home. In fact, you can go all out with plants around your work area and the rest of your home as well.
In this time of economic constraints, thankfully, growing indoor plants is inexpensive and easy. Yes, you can buy lots of pretty pots and expensive accessories for growing indoor plants. But, you can also get economical and hit Walmart and the Dollar store for a wide array of plant growing seeds, dirt, pots, and lots more at a reasonable price that fits almost any budget. This is also a great hobby to adopt while you stay home and stay safe. Then, stick with it even after you go back to work in the big office.
I realize that some of us, including myself, are leery of going to the store for anything but the bare essentials until this pandemic passes, so here’s an Amazon option that suits this scenario perfectly. What you see below is a 4-plant collection for cleaning and refreshing the air in your home. Of course, there’s lots of selections on Amazon and you don’t have to go out and expose yourself to numerous people when shopping.
Not only do plants keep the air in your home fresh and breathable, but they also give us the sense of being closer to nature which is the natural desire of every living being on this planet! So, stop depriving yourself because you’re depressed about being at home with your daily routine changing so suddenly.
Instead, be proactive and go down to the store and spend less than $5 on a little ivy plant. That’s a start! It’s nearly impossible to kill an ivy plant if you water it regularly and wash off their tiny leaves once in a while.
Use Lots of Natural Light
Natural lighting is one of the ways we can keep our moods at an even keel throughout the day. The effects of the right type of lighting on our moods are indisputable. So, fill your rooms with as much natural light as possible.
So open your curtains and look for a great spot for your stay at home working environment. Here are some quick tips to get the maximum natural lighting.
To enjoy the sunlight during the cooler parts of the day, try roman shades that are thicker for filtering hot rays in the summer and keeping the cold out during the winter. That way, you can open them during the times of day when the sunlight is comfortable and then lower them when things get too hot or too cold. Other options include sheers under heavier drapes and natural bamboo blinds.
Another good trick is use mirrors strategically throughout your home to reflect the natural lighting and spread it around. It’s also good to go with lighter color on the walls to add a little more brightness to your day and also reflect light. Finally, look for windows that face east and west for the most sunshine. If that’s not possible, use the other tips to amplify the natural lighting.
Consider The View
Green plants and blue skies are the best way to view your out-of-doors through your windows, but that isn’t always possible. This is especially true if you are a city-dweller and have nothing to look at but other buildings and smog. Even if you live in the suburbs, you can find yourself looking across the street at a grey house with grey skies!
Try stacking small plants on a window sill and place other pots of greenery around the window or hang some plants from the ceiling. Another excellent idea is to add a window box outside or inside your window, depending on your structure. This will give you an aura of freshness, even if you’re looking outside at an asphalt jungle.
But, if you live outside the cities in a small town, countryside, or suburbs, it’s going to be easier to find pleasant views outside your window. So, if you have to “stay home and stay safe”, sit your desk next to a window with a view whenever possible. If you can open your window for breeze – all the better!
I currently live in an apartment and have most of my adult life. For me, the view from my desk proves to be an essential way to keep stress levels low. I always place my desk near a window for natural light.
The Feng Shui Balance
Feng shui is the art and practice of making your space feel good. Of course, that’s a very simple explanation so let’s go into it a little further. The basic philosophy behind the art of Feng Shui is to look at our intimate environments in an uplifting new light. This involves building balance with the natural world inside our homes.
Historically, Feng Shui derives from Asian cultures and the practice is over 3,000 years old. Literally translated, the words “Feng” means “wind” and “Shui” means “water.” Just as “Taoism” is the way of nature, “Feng Shui” is the way our interior designs and decor reflect nature.
There is no better time than now to employ the principles of “stay home and stay safe” with Feng Shui.
Smooth Corner Comfort
As with the principles of Feng Shui, it is wise to keep furniture with rounded corners in your home. I believe you will find this a very comforting tactic to use throughout your home.
As a person with high anxiety, I became aware early in life of my affinity for being a “moth to the flame”. As a result, I was often banging and bruising my legs, hips, and toes against every sharp corner in the room. So, I needed to have rounded corners on all my furniture whenever possible.
After finally receiving a correct diagnosis for PTSD, my ability to find every sharp corner in the room makes sense. Of course, it’s even more important to me now to use round corners whenever possible. After all, why set yourself up for failure if you know better?
I also love to include soft throws and cushions on my sofa and chairs. In fact, being lucky enough to get hand-crocheted afghans of various sizes and colors when my mom transitioned, I use those in addition to newer throws.
What’s highly beneficial about this is that I find comfort in the “blending of the ages” when I arrange and decorate my rooms. Moreover, I feel the warm energy of my ancestors and it fills me with peace. I can personally attest to the fact that there are no medications that give you these feelings of comfort.
This is a good start for designing a stress free and productive intimate environment in your home during this time of “stay home and stay safe”. There will be more posts about this topic so return often! Below, you will find other posts of interest for designing your intimate environment for less stress and more relaxation.
Conclusion
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