Every day we’re becoming more and more aware of the importance of self-care, and its positive impact on our bodies and minds. Especially with the current state of the world as it is, stress is at an all-time high, and that can take a toll on our mental health and wellbeing.

While visits to the spa or a yoga class (once it’s safe to do so) are a great way to find balance in our busy schedules, it’s important to also have a space within our own homes where we can decompress and center ourselves. Because our multi-functional homes are now often filled with the stressors of work, schooling, or other previously outside activities, it’s more vital now than ever to carve out a space where we can escape into a tranquil world of our own. If you don’t already have such a space, no worries: here are 3 simple steps that you can follow to design your personal oasis.

To create your personal relaxation space you’ll first need…a space! Find an open area, or clear out one that you don’t frequently use.

If you have a spot that is otherwise suitable but is currently full of clutter or used for storage, there are many alternative storage solutions—like under-the-bed drawers or collapsible hangers—that you can look into to free up a bit of extra space. But don’t worry even if space is limited in your home. You can multi-purpose any corner of an existing area to function as your DIY oasis, or even set out a mat or tray to make a mobile setup.

Try to keep this space separate from the areas where you work or study, so you can enter it with a clear mind, unclouded by external stressors.

If your space is on the ground, grab some pillows, or throw blankets to make sitting down more comfortable. You could even add a multi-purpose yoga mat which can double as cushioning and a place to practice yoga or meditation.

Fill the space with things that make you feel happy and at ease! Plants and other natural accents fit the bill for this perfectly. Not only do they look fresh and lively, but they psychologically make us feel calmer by helping us reconnect with nature (through a phenomenon called “biophilia”).

Make sure if you choose the plant route, that your space has plenty of natural light because nothing brings down the mood like greenery that’s not-so-green. As an alternative, artificial plants can look just as great, and require little to no maintenance (besides occasional dusting).

If plants aren’t your thing but you still wish to add that earthiness, try incorporating natural tones with wood-textured accents. Nanoleaf Elements are hexagonal smart lighting panels with a wood-look esthetic, making them an ideal decor piece for that organic and grounded feel. They’re modular so you can create your own designs, and install them on your wall in minutes without any tools or drilling.

Elements make an incredible addition to your space by providing a gentle organic glow when illuminated, and unique geometric wall art while off. So you get the natural feel from the wood texture, with the added bonus of smart lighting technology!

A diffuser paired with some essential oils will not only make your space smell great but provide the added relaxation benefits of aromatherapy. Try a calming lavender oil at night, or invigorating eucalyptus scents to help you hold that Warrior pose a little bit longer.

Don’t forget about a speaker to play your favorite songs and soundscapes. You can even try a Smart Speaker like the Google Nest Mini or the Apple HomePod mini to control your beats hands-free with Voice Commands like “Hey Google, turn on my meditation playlist.” This is especially perfect if your self-care involves less screen time because you won’t be tempted to sneakily check those work emails while picking the next song.

The final step to setting the mood is of course mood lighting! With Nanoleaf Elements in your space, you not only have a beautiful nature-inspired piece of wall art, but also an incredible source of soft ambient lighting.

Each corner of the panels illuminates independently to create flowing animations that emulate the calming experiences of nature, like waves on a beach, or glimmering embers. And with a wide range of white lighting temperatures, you can choose cool whites to stimulate your mind for some creative thinking or personal reflection, or warmer whites to relax you and put you in the right headspace for meditation or quiet reading time.

With these 3 steps, you can create an amazing DIY self-care space to escape to at any time, and find balance and inner peace all in the comfort of your own home.

Do you plan to create your own DIY Oasis with Nanoleaf Elements? Share your experience with us, we’d love to see it!

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