To celebrate the launch of our ‘Create your own Zen Den’ Limited Edition box, I thought I’d share my top 5 tips on how to do just that. The reality is, since most of us are working from home, our homes have become our sanctuaries for work, rest and play. Transforming your home into your sanctuary is easy and with my simple tips, you’ll be enjoying your space that much more.
1. Invest in some indoor plants
It’s no secret that plants are good little buddies to have around the house. Studies have shown that plants can indirectly help reduce stress levels and improve health. They’re also beautiful to look at, so why wouldn’t you want some around the house? It’s also so much fun watching them grow – each time we see a new leaf unfurling, it really makes our day.
2. Ensure everything has its place
Clutter is one thing that is not going to make you feel zen. We recommend that everything has its own special place in your home and that before going to bed every night, you do a quick scan to ensure everything is in its place. It only takes a few minutes each night and will save you from having to do the big day-long clean-ups every few months. Marie Kondo’s super famous book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, shows you the Konmari method of living with items that you truly cherish. It’s not the only way, but it is one way to organise your space.
3. Separate ‘the office’ from ‘home’
It can be really hard to switch off from work when you are working and living in the same space (I’ve been working from our home studio for four years and this is something I am still trying to master). It’s important to separate your working space from your living space, so set up a dedicated space or desk for work only and don’t cross the lines. That means no working in bed or on the couch! Once you finish work for the day, leave the desk and don’t return until the next day. Resist the temptation to open the laptop ‘just for one email’.
4. Establish a Morning Routine
This has less to do with ‘the space’, and more to do with how you use it. With no commute to work at the moment, it’s easy to just jump out of bed and get straight onto the laptop. Our morning can set us up for the rest of our day. Take some time to establish your intention for the day and get into a good mindset to help you achieve that. Having a morning routine before work means you don’t start the day in a panic to get everything done. My morning routine is to get up, do some yoga (I HIGHLY recommend Yoga with Adriene – her 30 day Journey, Home, is a great place to start) and then have a cup of coffee and some breakfast before turning the laptop on.
5. Have a little Zen Den
It’s important to have a space in the house where we can go if we need a little time out. For Dave and I, it’s our spare room. This is where we keep the piano and guitars, and we just convert the space into what we need. Whether it’s to play music, do yoga or just sit and watch a candle flicker in the dark (sounds creepy, but can be a good form of meditation, try it!)… it’s a zone out space for us, a place to relax and block out noise from the day.
That’s it from me. Let me know in the comments if you try any of my tips above and how it goes for you. If you have any other tips on how to create your own zen den, I’d love to hear them too!