You’re back from your holiday and you’ve set the goal of taking more time for yourself and doing the things you love. However, just a few weeks back into routine you’ve found yourself slipping back into the four cups of coffee and tense shouldered pre holiday version of yourself. You’ve tried cutting back on social media, consuming less news, exercising more and eating a healthy diet, but this has now dwindled back into Netflix and wine Wednesday territory. More than a lot of us have done this routine before, so we’ve put together a list of wonderful things to do to help boost wellness, making your home the focal point of your happy quota.

1. A safe space

An important part of any home is a safe/ quiet place that you can retreat to and leave the whirring of the outside world behind. It gives distance between you and your todo list and should be utilised as a space to meditate, read or just sit quietly and relax. You should avoid using electronics such as smartphones, laptops and gaming devices in your safe space as these all lead to an increase in stimulation and reactivity to the outside world. You could use this space to meditate, a practice that can lead to benefits that include better focus and concentration, improved self-awareness and self-esteem, lower levels of stress and anxiety, and fostering kindness. Your safe space should provide a balance of colours and elements arranged with a level of symmetry which is pleasing to the eye. Incorporating natural elements too helps foster a sense of calm. This brings us on to wellness tip 2.

2. Plant life

500 million years in the making, plant life has had time to work on a design that is well beyond your textile manufacturers’ in-house creatives. Adding a splash of natural beauty to your living spaces does so much more than just creating links between the manmade and natural world. Plants have been proven to reduce stress and with just one look can lower your heart rate. Also, if you paid attention in science class you’ll remember that plants absorb CO2 and release oxygen, thus increasing the quality of the air in the room. As you will be relaxing more whilst being surrounded by plants you’ll also find accompanying benefits such as reduced blood pressure and muscle tension related to stress.

3. Declutter your rooms

Those familiar with the works of Marie Kondo will know that there is a process to decluttering that involves throwing away any objects that do not bring you joy. That being said, most of us still need ironing boards and washing up liquid. The mental wellbeing benefits of decluttering and organising the home space include a reduction in anxiety and stress at home. A clear home fosters a clear mind. You’ll also notice improvements in your time management because you don’t have to look for things anymore: you’ll know where everything is and won’t waste time that could be used for personal growth or quality moments with your family on finding items amongst the rubble. Visually you’ll be less distracted by clutter, leading to higher levels of focus on tasks that foster good life quality.

4. Turn your bedroom into a haven of relaxation

Good quality sleep is critical to maintaining good health. You’ll be surprised at the amount of benefits a good night’s sleep can offer you, namely:

• Improved immune responses
• Maintenance of a healthy weight
• Lowering the risk of serious health issues like diabetes and heart disease.
• A reduction in stress and an elevation of mood.
• Clear mind thinking
• And with less stress and a higher mood, chances are you will get along better with other people.

What can you do to get more of this rejuvenated life force? Try making your bedroom a relaxing sanctuary. If you have a smartphone, make a habit of putting it on ‘do not disturb’ when entering your bedroom, or, make your bedroom smartphone free. There was an invention before the smartphone which wakes you up in the morning - it’s called an alarm clock and they’re pretty inexpensive in comparison. Blackout blinds in a city are a must to reduce the level of illumination from manmade light sources, whilst double or triple glazing can help muffle the sound of traffic and sirens. A good mattress and pillows are also essential to help maintain your comfort throughout the night.

5. Meal prep kitchen

You’re making your way home and your mind turns to dinner. But ‘uh-oh’, you recap the contents of your fridge: half a bag of salad, some gorgonzola, an ounce of black truffle and half a bottle of Chablis… PANIC. This scenario often leads to a diet lacking in quality nutrients needed to fuel your body and leaves you feeling groggy in the morning. Having a kitchen that is organised and clean with plenty of tupperware can foster good meal prep habits. A cluttered kitchen with no space to prep will probably lead to the opposite. Try to have a meal plan for the following week which allows you to formulate a list when visiting the supermarket. We’ve all been there before, wandering aimlessly between the frozen aisle and veg aisle wondering why you don’t have the culinary imagination of Gordon Ramsey then settling on a pizza and Cornetto with a side of leaves… Ready, steady, cook!

If you need more tips on what sort of property would best suit your lifestyle, please feel free to contact one of the team Savills today.