This winter has seen Covid-19 lockdown measures in place across the UK to bring down the rate of infections and it doesn’t appear as if the restrictions will ease any time soon.
With everyone unable to get together with others and socialise and spending more time at home than ever before, many people are starting to feel the pressure. Lockdown has had a serious impact on our mental health. Research suggests that the number of people dealing with anxiety and depression has sharply risen over the past year.
Therefore, this winter more than ever, we need our homes to feel warm and comfortable and to provide us with sanctuary in uncertain times. As the saying goes: “Home is a shelter from storms – all sorts of storms.”
Does your home still feel like your safe place? Or are you struggling to adjust your home and your daily routine to your new life indoors? Are you successfully managing the balancing act of juggling so many different aspects of your life – your job, your family, kids and pets – all in one place? Or does it feel as if chaos has descended over your household?
Start by bringing back structure and routine. Have clearly defined time and space for work, family time as well as some much needed me-time. Even if you don’t generally thrive on having a strict schedule, in these unpredictable times, setting a daily routine is a great first step to feeling like you’re back in control again. It is just as important that you make time for rest and relaxation. Set clear boundaries when it comes to work and keep to defined working hours so that your work life doesn’t spill over into your personal life even more than it already does.
Even though you’re doing everything in one and the same place, try keeping your work and home life separate again.
Once you have come to grips with reintroducing structure and routine back into your life, it’s time to think about your surroundings. How you feel in your home directly impacts your sense of well-being. Does your home still give you that cosy, homey and peaceful feeling? Or could your décor do with a refresh and your style be revamped? Does your home need a new vibe to be your safe-haven again? With some creative thinking, this can easily be achieved – without spending too much time, energy and money.
Lighting is crucial in any home to ensure wellness and good health.
This is especially true during these short, cold, and dark winter days. Try setting up your workspace near a window, so you can benefit from natural light while beavering away. If this is not possible, make sure your work area is well lit. Use “warm white” light bulbs for that cosy and relaxing vibe. Think about using fairy lights. Remember, fairy lights (or any other type of string lights) don’t only brighten up Christmas and summer parties but they can give your home a warm twinkling glow, all year round. You can string them around banisters and bedposts, display them on a table, put them inside vases or glass Mason jars, in plantings and trees, etc. Fairy lights now come in a wide range of options. There are ones for indoor or outdoor (water resistant) use, some are solar powered, electric or operate with batteries, and they come in all colours (“warm white” and “cool white” being the most popular ones), shapes and sizes.
Candles are another wonderful tool to create a warm homey spark and to sprinkle cheerful little pops of colour around your home.
Using scented candles will additionally invigorate your home and lift your mood. Aromatherapy candles (with essential oils), in particular, are known for their calming and energising properties that can help control emotional stress. Scented candles are available in all shapes (round, square etc) and sizes, with or without jars (e.g. pillar candles) and in many fragrances: sweet or spicy, fruity or woody, fresh or floral. Soy candles (said to burn cleaner and to produce less soot than paraffin) have become very popular in recent years.
Some of the newer offerings include wicks made from wood which crackle when lit so that you feel like you have your very own fireplace burning at home..
Also, try filling your home with soft and luxurious textures.
Scatter cushions, throws, blankets and rugs are all a simple and effective way to brighten up your rooms and add life and personality to your home. Choose soft, lush and velvety fabrics for a stylish yet cosy winter look. Choose bold and brightly coloured materials to achieve a fresh and vibrant look or opt for muted shades to create a sense of peace and tranquillity. Or are you into dark and moody colours?
Holiday and family photos are another way to infuse your home with personal touches.
They add charm and intimacy and this year in particular, those special memories of the lovely places we visited and had fun with friends and loved ones will be even more precious. Make sure that the frames you choose fit in with your interior design and try to avoid placing and hanging your pictures randomly so they don’t “clutter up” your walls and surfaces but do display them, as they will lift your and your house’s spirits. What about creating a “gallery wall” – where you can hang up your favourite photographs and other special keepsakes (such as drawings, paintings, museum exhibit posters, tickets to special events, etc.) of different shapes and sizes? Having your photographs printed on canvas or glass is another simple and inexpensive way to display and hold on to those valuable holiday memories.
It goes without saying but we’ll say it again: having flowers and plants inside your home boosts morale and wellbeing.
They look beautiful, make us smile and help us de-stress and relax. Of course, they also improve the smell in the room. Some flowering plants have the added bonus of being able to filter and clean the air of the room. Finally, they also come in all shapes, sizes and colours and are a great way to compliment your revamped home décor!
Lastly, despite it being cold outside, don’t forget to open your windows regularly for at least 5 minutes. This will decrease the concentration of indoor air pollutants (e.g. cooking odours, smoke and carbon dioxide) and bring in vital oxygen. Good ventilation and fresh air also strengthen your immune system and prevent headaches and fatigue.
And remember, if you need help getting started, book a cleaning appointment with one of our magic fairies as a first step in making your home your cosy winter retreat.
Have a stylish winter and stay safe!
Your Magic Fairy