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Creating a quiet, secure, non-busy place in your home was tough enough prior to COVID. Now that you might have a lot more people in your home (much more of the time!) it can seem impossible. However, this is an essential part of well-being and self-care. Taking a time out on a regular basis to “unplug” in various capacities helps you recharge even if you can only squeeze in a few minutes. Today, we teach you the easy steps for creating a calm space in your home.
Creating a Calm Space
How do you do this if you already feel cramped? This is unique to the individual and might take some trial and error. Here are five ways you can include more peace in your home on a daily basis:
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Invest in noise-canceling headphones
The first step to creating a calm space is to remove disruptions. This definitely includes noise and sometimes there’s only so much you can control. Investing in noise-canceling headphones can give you a sense of peace and quiet even if that’s not reality. This is one investment that will quickly pay off, and you can use it in other situations (such as when air travel is safe again).
Noise pollution can sneak into every facet of your life and be a constant stressor. When you can’t quiet the noise around you, these headphones put you in control of sound.
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Make use of what you have for creating a calm space
In an ideal world, if you practice yoga, you have a dedicated meditation space—but that isn’t the reality for the vast majority of people. Meditation can benefit everyone, and it’s actually pretty easy to carve out this space in your home.
A closet with candle meditation is an excellent form of escape. Also keep in mind that meditation doesn’t have to look like how you think it does. It doesn’t need to require sitting in lotus pose and navel gazing.
Soft chanting, focusing on the tip of a flame, and even recalling images of ancestors or loved ones can be part of meditation. However, meditating is always easier to slip into when you have a place of solitude. So, take a look around your home and see what items you can use to start creating a calm space.
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Revisit house rules
This can be tough if you have kids in the house (depending on their age), but if you live with others there’s a good chance habits have been established since COVID that aren’t conducive to solitude and quiet. If being interrupted is something you struggle with, it’s time to revisit and reinstate some house rules.
Everyone has the right to privacy (including kids). Whether it’s addressing knocking on doors, respecting closed doors, or even a dedicated time each day when the entire home is quiet, consider what will work for you and your family.
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Take a closer look at your habits
Solitude isn’t necessarily or inherently easy to sit in. We’re used to constant stimulation and a lot of us seek out distractions in times of crises. However, if you’ve picked up some vices lately, it’s time to break a habit with the help of professionals. Whether it’s drinking too much or engaging in harmful activities, know that these vices are getting in the way of your peace and well-being.
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Consider the time of day
If you share your home with others, there’s a good chance there are times during the day that are quieter than others. If you can take advantage of these timeframes without harming your sleep hygiene, do so. This might mean getting up at 4:30 a.m. if you’re an early riser, taking a nap in the afternoon, and going to bed earlier than the rest of the home.
It might seem strange when you begin, but this is often a surefire way to build more solitude and opportunities for quiet and reflection into your day. The earlier hours are often considered the hours of artists, and with good reason. Others might be night owls and can have solitude and peace into the wee hours. Every home is different just like every person. If you have the flexibility and privilege to “choose” your hours, that’s a great gift.
We live in an era and society where solitude isn’t always appreciated as it should be. The body and mind crave solitude from time to time in the right doses. Just make sure it’s the right kind of solitude designed to soothe and heal, and you’ll enjoy benefits throughout your life. With these steps, you can begin creating a calm space in your home and start relishing the soothing elements that come with it.
