Creating a Relaxing Retreat at Home: Expert Advice
In a world where the pace of life seems to accelerate each day, finding moments of respite and rejuvenation becomes increasingly vital. We all long for a haven, a sanctuary that offers solace, a reprieve from the hustle and bustle, and an opportunity to prioritize self-care and well-being. While the idea of a home retreat may seem like a distant dream, it’s well within reach with the right guidance.
In this article, we delve into the art of creating a relaxing retreat within the confines of your own home. To offer you expert insights and tips on the subject, we’ve gathered wisdom from professionals in the wellness industry, from interior designers and mindfulness practitioners to fitness experts and spa consultants. Together, we’ll explore the different facets of designing, outfitting, and maintaining a wellness space that transcends the ordinary, providing a haven for relaxation, mindfulness, exercise, and personal rejuvenation.
So, whether you’re looking to establish a dedicated meditation retreat, a clean and refreshing space, combine fitness and serenity, or curate a spa-like atmosphere at home, join us on this journey to create a personalized oasis where self-care and well-being take center stage. Let’s begin the adventure of transforming your home into a haven of tranquility and rejuvenation with the advice of the experts.
Why is it important to incorporate self-care and relaxation at home?
No time to get a massage? No budget to pay for a meditation class? No worries! Consider creating a mini-retreat space at home. You can use this space for meditation, as you notice your chest rising and falling as you breathe or notice the coolness of the air as you inhale and its warmth as you exhale.
Even focusing on a few breaths can interrupt a cycle of stress. Or you can use this dedicated space for yoga, reflection, journaling — or anything else that helps you relax and center. Whether your retreat space consists of an entire room, a corner of a room or even a favorite chair, you can learn to associate entering this space with quieting your mind. And here’s the good news: you can slip into this space anytime you have a free moment and enjoy a mini-retreat break at home.
Joy Rains | Mindfulness Trainer & Author
How can one establish a regular practice at home for relaxation?
I have established a regular practice at home for relaxation and self-care first thing in the morning. I start the day simply by drinking a big glass of water and taking my first few moments awake by being grateful for the day ahead. By being present and aware of my surroundings, I set a relaxing morning routine in a sometimes rushed environment. While the hustle of the morning is combined with getting ready, and making lunches and breakfast for my kids, I try to take some time for myself. Once my kids have gone off to school, I take the time to really enjoy my cup of coffee.
Sounds silly, but being present with the smell, taste, and warmth of that simple cup sets my day in motion whether I’m driving to work or working from home, taking a few minutes when I rise and a few minutes when it’s quiet sets the stage for a balanced day.
Sarah Rathsack | MyMigraineLife.net
How can one create a clean and fresh environment at home for a wellness retreat?
Transforming your home into a sanctuary of tranquility begins with fostering an ambiance that rejuvenates the senses. Elevating your space into a haven for relaxation hinges on the cornerstone of cleanliness and freshness. To create a true wellness retreat in your home, you need to understand the pivotal role of a pristine space in nurturing well-being.
Following professional home cleaning checklists will ensure a meticulous approach to tidiness, encompassing every nook and cranny for a spotless sanctuary, so be sure to find an excellent one. Start by decluttering and purifying the environment to allow positive energy to flow freely. Moreover, infusing natural scents and employing eco-friendly cleaning solutions further amplifies the serene atmosphere.
By embracing these practices, you create a clean and refreshing ambiance and cultivate an environment that promotes holistic wellness, allowing you to unwind and revitalize within the comforts of your home.
Chris Rodriguez | MaidThis Miami
How can aromatherapy be integrated into a home retreat to enhance relaxation and well-being?
Our sense of smell is the most primal of human senses, impacting our mood, memories, and overall sense of well-being. Aromatherapy – inhaling pure, therapeutic quality essential oils – is one of the best ways to induce relaxation, support nervous system regulation, and create an atmosphere of calm, grounded tranquility. When designing a home retreat – before you light candles or start a bath – let aroma be the cornerstone of your experience.
Gather essential oils like Lavender, Bergamot, Rose Geranium, Vetiver, and Cypress to bring the spirit of the forest into your home, surrounding you with their peaceful energies. Essential oils have chemical compounds that have been shown to support sleep, reduce pain, and uplift mood. Pure essential oils can be added to a diffuser, dropped onto a hot compress, sprinkled into a fireplace or on candles, or used with carrier oils for a skin-softening body or bath oil. When designing your home retreat, be sure to start with the oldest of human senses, where the seat of well-being resides.
Stephanie Ariel, Certified Aromatherapist | ArtisanAromatics.com
What are the benefits of aromatherapy for your home retreat?
Aromatherapy is a holistic healing treatment using natural plant extracts to promote health and well-being. They can help improve your health and mood, improve sleep, and kill bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Many oils are also known to increase circulation, raise energy levels, raise energy levels, and stimulate the body and mind.
The use of essential oils at home can help increase the rate of healing throughout the body. Essential oils can increase oxygen and blood flow to wounds as well as internal healing processes like those following surgeries or illnesses. The anti-microbial properties of certain essential oils also keep the body protected while you heal. Your home retreat can smell amazing while you care for your body.
Always buy a quality product that is 100 percent natural without any additives or synthetic ingredients. Perfume oils are cheaper but made with chemicals and are not therapeutic. Purchase products from a reputable aromatherapy company.
Pam Dionne | Wyndmere
What are the most effective essential oils for creating a calming atmosphere in a wellness haven at home?
Each of us is unique, so there isn’t a one-size-fits-all essential oil to help you create a calm retreat-like space. Where do you start? I find that understanding the characteristics of scent notes can help you decide which essential oil will be the most calming for your personal haven. Have fun exploring your options!
Top Scent Notes: They often have a fresh, uplifting aroma. If you’re dragging and could use a bit of a lift, these essential oils are a great option — Bergamot, Orange, or Grapefruit.
Middle Scent Notes: They have a little more depth and staying power. If you love scents like Peppermint, Lavender, or Marjoram, this middle zone can be a good place to look for your calming scent.
Base Scent Notes: These often contain properties that are sedating and used to promote deep relaxation. Cedarwood, Frankincense, and Ylang Ylang are popular essential oils for calming.
Caryn Gehlmann, Clinical Aromatherapist & Founder | Essential 3
How does cleaning contribute to a home retreat? What are some natural fragrances that you could recommend?
Cleaning plays a pivotal role in creating a serene and inviting home retreat. A tidy living space isn’t just about aesthetics; it fosters a sense of calm and well-being! When you embark on a cleaning routine, you declutter your surroundings, removing distractions and chaos. This not only enhances the visual appeal of your home but also promotes mental clarity.
A clean home is a healthier home! Regular cleaning reduces allergens, dust, and germs, contributing to better indoor air quality and overall well-being. In a clean environment, you can relax without worrying about the hidden hazards that an unkempt space might harbor.
One of the best ways to create a cleaner, healthier home is by making your own natural cleaning products. Simply mix a natural fragrance oil with organic sugarcane alcohol and fill a spray bottle. You have an instant natural surface cleaner! For a fresh, clean smell, we love natural lush lavandin & Tahitian vanilla fragrance, natural rainbow eucalyptus & peppermint fragrance, or natural aloe water & osmanthus fragrance. Makesy natural fragrances are All Natural ISO 9235 Certified, which means they are free of petrochemicals, solvents, and dyes. They are ideal for introducing a fresh, mood boosting aroma into a clean space.
Jen Rea |Makesy
How does the arrangement of furniture and decor in a home retreat affect the flow of positive energy according to feng shui?
Chances are, if you are building a retreat, you have times in your life when you feel stressed or want to get away from something or someone. A feng shui consultant might ask, “Why not rearrange your entire home to be as stress-free as possible so that wherever you are in it, you don’t feel the need to escape?”
The symbols, colors, shapes, and materials in your spaces are subconsciously doing something to you, even if you don’t feel it consciously. They are either health and happiness-generating or depleting. There are obviously poor arrangements (a baby napping at the pool edge perhaps?), but where does obvious end and subtle begin? Feng shui experts understand the subtle forces of arrangements that create the difference. So, will you leave your environment to chance, or will you follow feng shui principles and create safe-feeling spaces so you aren’t burning your energy unnecessarily?
What is biophilic design, and can we use it in our home retreats?
Biophilic design is a growing design trend in homes that essentially brings nature indoors. The root word biophilia means our love of life and contributes to the feeling of well-being.Incorporating biophilic design into your home retreat is a perfect way to not only create a calm and peaceful space but also connect with the natural world.
The most basic way to do this is with live plants. But you can tap into these tips below to enhance the calmness of your space:
Lighting – natural light has the greatest impact on well-being.
Natural materials – incorporating wood finishes, stone, or grass cloth wallpaper
Natural colors – layering in colors found in nature such as blues, greens, and earth tones.
Artwork of landscapes – Views of nature are very calming, but even landscape art can enhance the peace of your space.
Maureen Calamia | Luminous-Spaces
Can you provide examples of specific types of artwork or decor that have personally inspired you and elevated your inner passions in your home retreat, and how they impacted your well-being?
Home decor that connects me to nature is my favorite and has become integral for enhancing my well-being as a highly sensitive person (HSP). It creates a beautiful and natural sanctuary, soothing my nervous system and instilling a sense of profound calm and serenity in my daily life.
Incorporating elements like plants, flowers, trees, water features, and natural-grained wood allows me to nurture my sensitivity in an environment that feels harmonious and healing. These natural elements are not just decorations; they hold therapeutic power, enhancing overall well-being and positively impacting my mind and soul. As an HSP psychotherapist, I’ve learned that nature is medicine for the highly sensitive soul, so it makes sense to incorporate it into our home sanctuary.
By integrating these elements into my home, I access their healing energy daily, as well as deepen my grounding and mindfulness practices. They help me to stay present, feel soothed, and embrace nature’s beauty around me.
Julie Bjelland | LMFT www.JulieBjelland.com
What tips could you give to integrate Feng Shui in a Home-Wellness space?
Feng shui, much like any creative endeavor, is a silent teacher for self-learning. It’s not loud, and it doesn’t always produce immediate results. Someone’s response time to feng shui changes is often proportional to how big the feng shui problem is. The big problem is speedy response, like an elastic band suddenly releasing the stress of being pulled in one direction, if you will.
But aside from those fast energy releases, we need to cultivate sustained feng shui energy in order to engineer a transformation that lasts. Therefore, in order to start your feng shui journey, you’ll probably need to do the following.
1. Be more attentive to your home
To start the feng shui journey, you’ll need to listen to what your home has to say. This may sound absolutely nonsensical to some. They might be wondering, Why would I listen to anything my home has to say?Don’t I decide what I create and what I like for myself?
2. Cultivate your own Chi for better energy
While your house can be a great source of peace and inspiration after feng shui changes are in place, it will also be beneficial to cultivate this peace and vibrancy in yourself in order to maintain the changes over the long run. I recommend meditating daily or adopting other ways to find harmony within yourself (journaling, breath work, etc.)
3. Be open to new ways
When you apply feng shui, the quality of openness is important. Use a tried method like the one I teach at the Feng Shui with Me School. You might be tempted to sprinkle in some feng shui concepts read online here and there, but your best bet is to be open to adopting one method and sticking to it.
4. Don’t get discouraged
Much like acupuncture deals with the root cause of diseases, feng shui deals with the root cause of emotional imbalances. That’s why feng shui works. It’s a kind of magic recipe but you have to follow the right steps. By infusing the harmony of elements in a home, feng shui inspires you to think harmonious thoughts, eat natural foods, do healthy activities, pursue a healthy mate, and so on. It’s a vision board for your life. It is a life-long process that can create lasting peace. I am still very much a student of Feng Shui.
5. Decluttering is a MUST before you do anything
A crucial step before tackling any feng shui work is decluttering. You can’t start fresh in a new home if you still have your middle school transcripts or keep suitcases of clothes that are three sizes too small. Keeping for later is a scarcity mindset, not a growth mindset. Holding on to a few dresses from your twenties for your daughters is totally fine. But holding on to stuff “just in case” is never a good idea.
6. Have fun, and use this opportunity to know yourself intimately
Have conversations with yourself, and get really deep in knowing your patterns of holding on to things or decorating. Discover your resistance in certain areas, and be curious about your décor decisions. Many traits will emerge as you embark on this process.
Marianne | Feng Shui with Me
Which sector or direction of the house is best Feng Shui for bedrooms and other rooms?
Based on what’s visible (or the Form School of Feng Shui), the best location of the bedroom is at the back of the house because it is quieter and has more privacy. Based on the compass school (where you need to measure directions based on a compass), it’ll depend on which compass school you practice. For instance, in Eight Mansions, it is better to have your bedroom be placed in one of the auspicious sectors of the house, and the sectors differ in location based on the house’s facing direction.
According to Feng Shui, what specific adjustments can be made in the bedroom to enhance the restorative energy flow in a home retreat?
The Bedroom is a place for rest and romance. Create a haven of tranquility by keeping out TVs and exercise equipment—these disrupt the energy needed for restful sleep and balance. Resist the urge to bring work-related items into your sacred sleep space. Opt for a solid wooden headboard, positioning it against a sturdy wall for optimal support during the night. Infuse your bedroom with neutral, balanced earth tones to foster a grounding atmosphere. Don’t save luxurious bedding for special occasions; recognize that you deserve luxury, rejuvenation, and comfort every single night.
Transition into a peaceful evening by dimming the lights, relying on natural light during the day for a harmonious connection with your surroundings. Your bedroom should be a sanctuary, a place where the cares of the day can fade away, leaving you ready for a night of deep, rejuvenating sleep, encouraging an overall balanced home & life.
Amanda Sophia Feng Shui, Expert and Founder | The International Feng Shui School
What colors and decor elements promote relaxation in a wellness space?
Studies have shown there is a direct correlation between colors and emotions. Keep this in mind when considering the best color for your ‘wellness haven’ and how you want the walls and decorative touches to evoke a relaxed and calm atmosphere. The natural choices for such a space would definitely be cooler tones like blues or blue greens, which psychologically induce a sense of calmness and serenity. Muted shades of blue, reminiscent of clear skies and tranquil waters, are ideal.
Another option is warmer pastels that create a cozy and nurtured feeling, such as the Pantone Color of the Year for 2024, Peach Fuzz. Described as ‘a velvety gentle peach tone whose all-embracing spirit enriches mind, body, and soul’ on Pantone.com’s website. Additionally, shades of pink, whether warm or cool, also have a calming effect.
These colors can be applied to walls, furnishings, and accents to create a harmonious environment. Natural materials like wood and stone further enhance the calming atmosphere.
Karen Cantor | Lady Spa Spa
How can incorporating a hot tub into a home retreat enhance relaxation and create a serene atmosphere for individuals seeking to unwind and de-stress?
For decades, people have been installing hot tubs in their backyard as a way to escape the day-to-day grind and spend more time with their families. As time has gone on, the awareness of how hot tubs can heal and improve your day-to-day life has grown exponentially. Escaping to that quiet place, away from the constant buzz of life, and into the hot swirling waters that cradle your body, allows people the opportunity to disconnect and massage away any aches, pains, or stress.
Adding a hot tub can become more than a backyard centerpiece. It can become part of your daily wellness routine for both your mind and body.
Jay Gavin | Aqua Paradise
What temperature do you recommend for a hot bath for relaxation and why?
A Hot bath is often referenced for deep relaxation and to promote sleep, but in reality, a bath with a temperature over 105 is recognized in hydrotherapy treatments as a stimulating treatment in its first few minutes. This means blood pressure and hormonal activity rise, but this is not the best thing before sleep. Prolonged heat becomes depressive, meaning while the pulse has weakened, metabolism has still increased thus disturbing equilibrium, possibly leading to a sense of overheating. This works against our circadian rhythm where body temperature drops during sleep.
A temperature in the Neutral range (95) is optimal for promoting a calming effect on the nervous system and inducing deep relaxation. I understand this is not always the most desirable temperature to soak in but the person who struggles with sleep and relaxation could benefit greatly.
Stimulating short baths are better in the first part of the day and neutral baths better in the evening.
Anne Bramham | Astecc
What are the primary purpose and benefits of a meditation retreat?
Meditation retreats act like a mental reset button, creating a ripple effect that positively impacts not just the mind but also the body and spirit. Participants experience a deeper connection with their inner selves and gain a fresh perspective on life.
The retreat environment fosters a serene atmosphere, allowing individuals to detach, declutter their thoughts, and let go of stress, worries, and the constant buzz of daily routines. As they engage in mindfulness practices, they learn to cultivate a heightened awareness of the present moment and develop coping mechanisms for stress and anxiety.
Ultimately, meditation retreats become transformative journeys, guiding people toward more balanced and harmonious lives. It’s not just a break from the routine; it’s an opportunity to realign with the core of one’s being, fostering a holistic sense of well-being that extends far beyond the retreat itself.
Alina Avdyukova | Peaceinside.me
How do yoga and meditation help to have a wellness home retreat?
When you want to have a wellness home retreat, you can give yourself all sorts of self-care indulgences like bubble baths, self-massage, and skincare routines, but you can’t neglect inner wellness. Yoga and meditation help to bridge the gap between your body, breath, and mind to help you find inner peace and true holistic wellness. Ultimately, yoga and meditation are essential tools in your wellness home retreat arsenal.
So when you do take the time to have a wellness retreat at home, be sure to practice moments of mindfulness, pause to listen to your own breath, and/or move your body mindfully through gentle exercises and stretches to bring your awareness inward and self-reflect. These simple but highly effective tools will ideally transform your overall feeling of wellness and your sense of inner calm.
Having a warranty in your home retreat
One often overlooked but crucial aspect of creating an in-home wellness haven is considering the warranties of your wellness equipment, furniture, and decor. A warranty provides peace of mind, ensuring that your investments are protected. It’s a safety net that offers reassurance, allowing you to fully enjoy your retreat without worrying about unexpected repairs or replacements. So, when you embark on your wellness journey, don’t forget to look for warranty coverage to ensure lasting tranquility.
As we conclude our exploration of crafting an in-home wellness haven, it’s clear that the pursuit of tranquility and self-care is a timeless endeavor. The experts have spoken, and they’ve shared their wisdom to guide you on this journey. Now, it’s your turn to take these insights and turn your aspirations into a tangible reality.
Remember that the process of creating a wellness retreat at home is not just about design and décor; it’s about an intention to prioritize your well-being, to honor your need for self-care, and to foster a sanctuary where you can unwind, revitalize, and thrive. It’s a commitment to yourself, a recognition that you deserve a space that supports your mental, physical, and emotional wellness.
In the hustle and bustle of daily life, we often overlook the importance of creating moments of serenity within our own homes. But as our experts have emphasized, with thoughtful design, personalized routines, and the integration of spa-like elements, you can transform your space into a refuge that resonates with your inner calm.
So, take the lessons learned here, follow the guidance of these experts, and embark on your journey toward an in-home wellness haven. Whether it’s a quiet corner for meditation, a space for movement and fitness, or a spa-inspired retreat, your wellness haven is not only an investment in your home but, most importantly, an investment in your well-being. Let serenity, tranquility, and rejuvenation begin within your own walls, and may your home forever be a sanctuary for relaxation and self-care.
