Your home is a sacred space. It’s your respite from the bustle of the world outside, a place to reconnect after a long day, and a home base where you and your loved ones gather. While you’re grateful to eat, sleep, work, and entertain all within the same four walls, it can feel difficult to make space for yourself with so much going on in your small apartment. Before you grab your bags and fly to the nearest coffee shop for some peace and quiet, take a deep breath. There are surprisingly simple tricks you can take advantage of to practice self-care right from your apartment. Here are six ways to make your apartment a self-care sanctuary:
- Make Your Bed
- Bring the Outdoors In
- Keep it Clean
- Play with Background Music
- Find a Signature Scent
- Remember the Little Things
1. Make your bed
Making your bed may seem trivial, but it’s a great way to set your intentions for the day. Starting your morning with a thoughtful, orderly task gives you a sense of accomplishment and sets the stage for later productivity. If you dread the thought of adding another chore to your morning to-do list, try making it a process you love! Find a bedspread that makes you smile. Invest in decorative pillows in different colors, textures, and sizes. Whether you’re going to the office or working from home, you’ll appreciate returning to a cozy, tidy, organized room.
2. Bring the outdoors in
It’s time to dust off your green thumb. Believe it or not, incorporating plants into your home décor does more than brighten up your living space. Studies show that indoor plants can help you live a happier, healthier lifestyle by boosting mood, increasing productivity, reducing stress, and eliminating air pollutants. If you doubt your ability to keep your new greenery alive, start with low maintenance plants that require moderate sunlight and attention, such as aloe, succulents, or spider plants. You’ll be surprised at how peaceful your small apartment can feel with a few simple changes.
3. Keep it clean
Part of self-care in your apartment is creating a space that feels rejuvenating and restful, but every renter knows how difficult it can be to keep small spaces clean. No matter how organized you are, clutter seems to accumulate in every corner. Rather than waiting until you can’t see the counter to tidy up, try cleaning as you go. Put your shoes and coat away as soon as you get home. Go ahead and load the dishwasher after dinner so you wake up to an empty sink. Sort the stack of mail on the coffee table. Try picking one day a week to complete bigger tasks, like vacuuming the floor, washing sheets, or dusting tables. Even if you don’t have the time to deep clean, taking fifteen minutes every evening to declutter can make a huge difference in your quality of life.
4. Play with background music
No matter what you’re doing, music helps elevate the mood. Put in your headphones and sit back with a book or open your favorite streaming service on your smart TV while you cook dinner. Whether you’re working from home, getting a head start on spring cleaning, or indulging in some much-needed R&R, a personal soundtrack can lift your mood, increase productivity, and make tasks more fun.
5. Find a signature scent
When creating a self-care environment, it is vital to engage all your senses, including smell. Scent has the potential to enhance your home’s overall ambience, making it feel warm, fresh, and inviting. There are several ways to prioritize fragrance in your home and create a space you don’t want to leave. Light your favorite candle or find a wall plug-in you love. Put a couple drops of essential oils in a diffuser. Simmer natural air fresheners, like cinnamon, vanilla, and ginger, on the stove. Make your home a place of peace by keeping it fresh.
6. Remember the little things
At the end of the day, your apartment is your space – make it exactly what you want! Create a coffee corner with your favorite syrups and blends. Put fresh flowers on your kitchen counter every week. Spritz lavender on your pillow before you go to sleep. Self-care is about living your happiest, healthiest life, so remember the little things that make your home yours. After all, any space that means so much should be something special.
