Winter Wellness: Organizing Your Home to Support Wellbeing
Your home is your sanctuary during the winter season. When it’s cold and windy out, your home is the place where you can relax and stay safe and warm. Home doesn’t always feel like a sanctuary, however. When your home is cluttered, disorganized, and chaotic, it can feel overwhelming and stressful. This feeling is especially compounded by the winter, when going outdoors isn’t much of a relief, or may not be an option at all.
Getting your home organized can not only improve your sense of peace when you’re stuck inside but can help you weather the winter months and feel at home no matter the temperature.
How an Organized Home Can Support Wellbeing in Winter
While the winter is a season of holidays, gift giving, and merriment, it is also a time of struggle for a lot of people. Maybe you’re stressed from hosting this holiday season, or you’re one of the millions of people affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). In either case, the winter doesn’t always feel so merry and bright. Having a home that is organized and suits your interests and needs can help combat some of this stress and anxiety. Your home is a refuge from the cold and dark, and it should feel like one.
Tips for Organizing a Cozy Reading or Relaxation Nook
One of the best ways to treat your home as a refuge during the winter is to create an intentional space where you can relax and get cozy. Maybe this is a dedicated reading room, or maybe it’s just a corner in your bedroom where you can go when you want to set that mood. Wherever it is, choose a place that is private and easy to access. Once you’ve chosen a spot, try and declutter that space so there isn’t a ton of visual chaos in your view.
This is a fun time to reevaluate what you own and find what you keep a better home. Then, start gathering things that help you feel relaxed and find a way to keep them on hand in that space. It could be books, candles, blankets, or anything that helps you feel safe and calm. With this space set up, you can retreat here when you’re stressed, tired, or just looking for somewhere to enjoy a frigid day. It can also be the perfect space for a bit of meditation.
Organizing Your Pantry for Your Wellbeing with Healthy Winter Meals and Snacks
Just because the holidays are over doesn’t mean you have to stop investing in healthy food and treats. Food can be an amazing way to invest in your health and general sense of wellbeing. Do some research on what vegetables and fruits are in season - for many people these will be things like squashes, pumpkins, apples, and oranges. Utilizing these ingredients opens up an entire world of winter recipes. This is also a good time to invest in warm drinks like hot chocolate and teas. If you enjoy baking, stock up on basics such as flour, sugar, and baking powder and baking soda. There is a wide variety of baked goods that will warm up your home and your heart.
Create a Calming Bedroom Environment to Promote Good Sleep
In the doom and gloom of winter, it can be easy to feel as though you’re sleepy more than usual. This is why it’s even more important to get adequate rest. Focus on decluttering and organizing your sleeping space. After all, you should spend at least 7 to 8 hours there each night!
Putting intention into how you organize your bedroom can improve your sleep and help make it feel like a place where you can relax. Make sure your bedroom is at a temperature that is comfortable. Just like your relaxation nook, you can add things to your bedroom that help you feel relaxed and secure. Try and avoid visual clutter and do what you can to make your bedroom as quiet and as dark as you need. While the level of noise required to sleep well is different for everyone - some might need absolute silence and darkness, others might need to invest in a nightlight or white noise machine. Learning what helps you relax is important in helping you get good sleep, and it’s worth investing in for your wellbeing.
Not everyone enjoys the winter, and for some the season can be a bit of a struggle. Staying organized and creating a home that caters to your wellbeing can help. Your home is your shelter in the storm, and it should be treated that way. With a little bit of organization and effort, you can give yourself the gift of a winter sanctuary.