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Wholistic Wellness: A Series on Truly Living Well

Contributed Content by Paula Kennedy, CMKBD, CLIPP

Wellbeing is top of mind lately, for many reasons. We all regularly think about nutrition, exercise, and possibly meditation, but what about taking a more wholistic approach to wellness by considering how we translate this into our homes? It’s not just about what we put into our bodies but what we surround ourselves with as well. How healthy are our homes? Do our homes support the health and wellbeing of our families?

holistic wellness in the home

Wellness is Physical, Emotional, Spiritual & Environmental

This is a topic that we can’t possibly tackle all at once. Our focus is all-encompassing: air quality, water quality, sound acoustics, color psychology, Biophilia, human-centric lighting, environment management, healthy cooking, germ reduction, accessibility, hygiene, connection with community, physical and mental self-care. This article is the first in a series that will discuss how to truly live well and whole.

What’s flying off the shelves these days?  Air purifiers, hands-free faucets, water filters, bicycles, bidet attachments, container organizers, office chairs, room dividers, baking and gardening supplies, sound-canceling headphones, outdoor deck heaters, RV’s, Peloton bikes.  And as far as trends go, “Germ-Free” has become the new “Gluten-Free”.

Biophilia house plants

We simply can’t afford to ignore the health of our immediate environments any longer.  There is a new standard in the residential industry for wellness, the Well Building Standard, which created an education and certification path for designers and professionals. Think of it as the new LEED certification for Wellness. Wellness is the Human Centric version of Sustainability.

What can we do to feel better in our homes today?

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  • Declutter your kitchen and bathroom counters. For many, reducing the chaos in your home can help alleviate anxiety.
  • Rearrange a reading corner to face toward a window to take advantage of the daylight and the view.
  • Replace your faucet with a hands-free option.
  • Start using your existing kitchen and bathroom ventilation/exhaust fans. (We have them but oftentimes don’t use them!)
  • Turn the blue light filter on your phone automatically after 7pm to support your natural circadian rhythms.
  • Utilize blackout blinds, or an eye mask, to enhance your sleep.
  • Select a new paint color for your office that supports relaxation and inspiration at the same time. (My personal favorite office color is Sherwin Williams Belize SW6945)
  • While we’re on the topic of paint, Sherwin Williams also has an anti-microbial paint line!
  • Toss any fake greenery or plants that still exist in your home and get to your local flower and garden center stat!
    • Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is the number one indoor plant for oxygen due to its fast conversion rate
    • The best plant for your bedroom is an orchid as it releases oxygen at night!
    • Grow herbs or succulents. (I don’t have a green thumb but even I have been growing herbs on my kitchen windowsill!)
  • Change out all your light switches to dimmer switches for more lighting control.
  • Get rid of any fluorescent light bulbs and replace them with LED lights that shine less blue/cool colors.
  • Turn a guest room into your meditation or exercise space.
  • Get a stationary bike stand (bicycle trainer stand) to keep up with your spin classes. (I miss my spin classes as we head into fall and I have my vintage Peugeot set up on a trainer in the garage.)
stationary bicycle trainer stand

Written by Paula Kennedy

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October is National Kitchen and Bath Month!

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