.png)
Using almost no time (and very limited space), create your own self-care oasis.
This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. There are so many ways, both big and small, to prioritize mental health in our daily lives. There are lots of steps you can take that don’t require you to make any big purchases or drastic changes. (Check out this list of small, but powerful ways to immediately support good mental health!) But for many people, having a dedicated space to focus on your emotional well being helps to serve both as a reminder to engage in healthy practices regularly, but also to enhance the experience of doing so. Here are tips for creating a dedicated space in a corner of your home for self-care, personal reflection, and ongoing mental health prioritization.
What to Include in Your Mental Health Corner
To create the perfect wellness space, I suggest including at least one thing from each of the following categories (with my personal favorites listed further down):
Keep it Special
Once you have created your emotional oasis, it is time to protect it! This space is YOURS and dedicated to YOUR emotional wellbeing.
No stacking folded clothes waiting to be put away on the chair.
No piling unpaid bills on your side table.
No kids with sticky hands stealing your blanket to use on the couch.
No sitting in this chair to send emails for work.
Nope nope nope. We do not want to associate this space with anything except your own wellbeing and growth. If its use gets expanded, especially expanded into tasks and annoyances, the association will expand too, making it harder for you to tune into yourself as effectively. We also want the space to be available and ready whenever you find a few minutes to use it. If you have to move folded laundry or go searching for your (now sticky) blanket before you can sit down, you are less likely to actually make it to the personal growth part. Set the expectation from the beginning that this corner is yours alone, and that it will stay clear of all non-self-care related distractions.
How to Use Your New Mental Health Space
The way to utilize your mental health space will vary from person to person, and there might be some trial and error involved before you figure out what works for you. Some people find having a scheduled and consistent time for purporseful self-care helps to ensure they make it happen. Some people work better using the space to respond to needs as they arise in daily life. Some people prefer mornings, other evenings before bed. There is no right or wrong way, although consistency is certainly ideal when trying to incorporate a new priority or habit into your life. When starting out, play around with the following variables and pay attention to what work best for you:
time of day and how often each day or week
activity level before or after
structured or planned activities for your time, or openness to where your thoughts take you
ideal amount of time
symbolic ways to begin and end this time dedicated to you in order to make it clear when "you" time has begun
Regardless of how you structure your plan, your time should be screen- and distraction-free to allow uninterrupted space for you to tune into your thoughts, feelings, and needs.
My Favorites
Now that you know the whys and hows of creating your own mental health corner, here are some of my favorite ideas to make it comfortable, special, and productive.
A comfortable, cozy place to sit
If you have the room, nothing beats a soft chair with the option to put your feet up. This chair with matching ottoman gives you the choice to curl your feet up under you, stretch them out in front, or sit up for writing. With its smaller footprint and style to match any decor, it is an easy start to your self-care retreat. Buy here!
Low on space? No problem! Choose a comfy floor option like one of these:
This floor chair offers cozy softness and back support
while taking up almost no floor space. Buy here!
And for an option you can put away when not in use, grab this comfy floor cushion to bring out when you need it, and hide it away when you don’t. Buy here!
Something to engage each of your senses
Paying attention to each of your senses can help you feel grounded and connect with the present moment. Here are some sensory additions to your space:
Touch
Soothe your tactile sensory needs while keeping yourself cozy and warm.
Choose a fuzzy, soft blanket to wrap yourself up in.
Or opt for a chunky, more weighty version to add to the sensory experience. Buy here!
Sound
You might prefer silence, however I need something to either tune into hearing, or cancel out distracting noise.
This is the noise canceling machine I use in my office to protect privacy. It is the gold standard for bland white noise that fades into the background, creating distraction-free ambiance. Buy here!
For something a little more soothing, consider a tabletop fountain to transport you into nature. Here are two options you can buy here and here!
Sometimes a specific sound can let your mind know it is time to center itself for the work of personal growth. Pick up a Tibetan singing bowl to mark the beginning your “me time” here.
Or opt for the digital version: this exciting option features beautiful Tibetan singing bowl tones and nature sounds to create an engaging backdrop you can customize to your needs. Buy here!
Taste A cozy chair needs a cozy mug to hold your favorite tasting drink. I like coffee in the morning and tea in the evening (and hot chocolate in winter!), preferably in a big ceramic mug you can cradle in both hands.
Here and here are two of my favorite options. Sight Anything that holds meaning or brings can be used to give your eyes something lovely to look at. Here are some ideas I have used in my office and home.
Flameless candles you can turn on and off with a remote, making a soothing space as easy as the push of a button. Buy here!
This salt lamp creates a soothing glow you can adjust with a dimmer switch. Buy here!
Or you can make lighting functional with a light therapy lamp, giving you light to read and write, while enjoying the many mental health benefits of using one (read about them here!)
Choose from one of these two awesome looking options, depending on your style. But them here and here!
Smell Light some scented candles to complete the sensory landscape. Since scents are subject to personal preference, I suggest starting with a variety pack to learn which scents work best for you to create a soothing environment. Here is a 6 pack of long-lasting soy candles in a variety of scents. Buy it here!
This 12 pack is as beautiful to look at as it is to smell. Wouldn't these just call you over to your mental health corner? Get it here!
Something to hold in your hands
My favorite talisman to use during mindfulness or meditation is this worry stone. It is smooth with a rounded end and a pointy end, giving your hand something interesting to fidget with, while not being overly distracting or “gadet-y.” I keep several in my office for clients that I got here!
You can also choose an item to incorporate into your mindfulness practices with something like a labyrinth you can trace with your finger. I have always found the meaning and ancient roots of the labyrinth to be especially powerful (read more about labyrinths here) and think they make a great addition to a mental health corner.
This small version comes with a meditation guide to help you explore various mindful activities. Get it here!
This card version can be easily put away when not in use (or taken with you for grounding on the go!). Get it here! This is the version I have in my office. Substantial and satisfyingly heavy, with smooth wood grooves the perfect size for tracing with your finger. I got it here!
Something to write on
Keep paper and pen nearby to jot down any thoughts that come up, reflect on what you are reading, or follow journal prompts meant to enhance your wellbeing.
Any paper and pen will do nicely, but there is just something about a beautiful, leather-bound journal that makes you want to use it. Journals come in all shapes and sizes, and to fit any aesthetic. Is it necessary to get a special journal for your self-care corner? Of course not. But how can you resist?
Your current reading material, meditation aid, or workbook
Keep your current book nearby so you can pick it up once you are cozy and settled in. (Need help choosing the right one for you? Stay tuned for recommendations and reviews.) Some good places to start:
Remember that books that speak to your wellbeing don’t need to be specifically geared toward self-help. A meaningful novel or a book of poetry can be exactly what you need to reconnect with yourself.
Protect your mental health corner
Finally, claim your space with a personalized pillow for a stylish demarcation to anyone thinking about taking over your space (or to remind yourself to keep it clear and uncluttered).
Try one like this to send a subtle message. Buy it here!
Or this one for a…not so subtle message. Get it here!
Now go and create your own special place that can always be waiting when you are able to carve out the time for yourself that you deserve.
Commentaires