Everybody needs somewhere they can relax, let go, and decompress. And for some of us, the details of this environment are very important. When you are a highly sensitive person (HSP), everything around you matters – how things look, sound, smell and feel. And to have a place that feels right, that feels safe and comfortable, is exactly what you need to clear your inner space. Otherwise, you’ll be distracted and unable to fully relax and process everything inside of you. Having a healing space in your home is important because your domain is where you can relax, your way. If it is truly impossible at this time to designate such a space in your home, reach out to your support network and find somewhere you can do so. Here we will focus on how to create such an environment, ideally at home. Home is a sacred space, after all!
A Quiet Room, as explained by designer Rachel Cannon in an article on current home design trends, acts as just such a healing space:
I believe every home should have a Quiet Room (…) to process our day and recharge our internal batteries. Every day involves some level of recovery. (…) In 2022 we’ll see this hybrid work scenario where people are split between working from home and going to an office. (…) The quiet room is what will continue to ground us and keep us working at our maximum performance. Simply carve out an area or room where you can quietly take time for yourself to read, draw, stitch, or simply be still and reflect. It’s a healthy, powerful practice that allows you time to be more present for your family and continue to achieve your full potential.
Rachel Cannon
Spatial Dimensions of the Area Designated as Your Healing Space
While a designated quiet room is ideal, a healing space doesn’t have to be large. It could be as small as a closet, as long as there is enough space for you to relax comfortably – whether sitting or lying down. If you have enough rooms in your home, you could designate an entire room – such as a bedroom. Or, if you live alone, you could dedicate your entire home as your healing space. If you cannot have this type of space in your current living environment or if you travel a lot, you can bag some things together as a sort of portable healing space to set up temporarily, wherever you are. What that entails depends on you and your preferences.
What your healing space physically looks like depends on your needs. As an example, I like to stretch out on the floor. I often need to be on the ground, legs out, and occasionally extend a full body stretch. If you don’t have a regularly cleaned floor, you could unfurl a rug or yoga mat here. You might like somewhere you can pace or move around to clear your mind. When there isn’t a suitable place to do so outdoors, having a large enough room indoors can at least allow some meditative movement.
You may feel safest and coziest curled up with some cushions in a closet or a very small nook. Whatever size space you need or prefer, try and make that work for you. Carve out your own designated healing area. If it means making some spatial sacrifices, allow that flexibility. This is more important than having a Carrie Bradshaw closet full of diva shoes (unless being surrounded by Manolos is therapeutic for you, of course!).
How Your Healing Space Looks
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The appearance of your surroundings has a powerful impact and should be customized according to the purpose of each space in your home. You may have motivational quotes in your home office. Many people display words like ‘Joy’ or ‘Love’ in their bedrooms, kitchens or living rooms. If displaying written messages or reminders encourages you, consider your deepest inner needs and what messages would most move you in your healing space. You may hang a cork board where you pin up affirmations that you can change out as often as you like. There are also many beautiful scripture and affirmation decorations that you can display.
Lighting is important. You may not want to be under a harsh fluorescent light. You may prefer a dim light, or darkness. Perhaps you crave natural light, or a yellow lamp’s warmth. If you prefer a dim space, a Himalayan salt lamp or selenite lamp creates a soft glow. A strand of string lights also casts a pleasant twinkle.
Color is important, too. Which colors make you happiest? Consider the power of healing color visualization and hang fabrics in beautiful colors you love. If blues are comforting, have a blue rug, blanket and pillows. Blue curtain string lights (available in multiple colors) are a fun way to surround yourself in a twinkly glow.
If you love plants and have enough natural light, bring the outside in by including plants in your healing space. Plants are living, breathing beings and not only do they clean the air you breath but they’re beautifully calming.
How Your Healing Space Sounds and Smells
It’s important to consider what you will audibly hear in any given part of your home. You may not want your healing space to be just on the other side of the wall where the TV sits in the living room if someone will be watching TV while you are in your zone. It may be inconvenient to be close to the front door if there are a lot of comings and goings within your family. On the other hand, external noises may not bother you at all. It entirely depends on your distractibility, so plan accordingly. To help muffle noises, you can opt to use a fan/sound machine in your space. Or, if you’ll listen to a guided meditation, music, or a helpful podcast, it may help to use headphones.
Smells can evoke delight or disgust. They can bring us to an acute memory or mood. Some of us are more sensitive to smells than others, but aromatherapy adds a subtle pleasant touch for anybody, in any place. Take advantage of this and diffuse your favourite essential oils in an oil diffuser, or light a candle you love. Scented candles provide a pleasant glow and smell nice.
What Objects to Include
Which objects you include in your healing space depends on what you will do with your body and with your time. What will you physically do? If lying down or lounging, you may want a mat, blanket, or cushions. If you’ll pace about, you won’t want much furniture or objects taking up floor space. Do you prefer to sit upright in a chair or couch, or at a table to read or write? Furnish with whatever furniture comfortably helps you assume these positions. If you practice yoga, include any props or objects you’ll use. What will you cognitively do? If you like to focus on visual affirmations, perhaps include wall hangings or decor items that you can read. If you sketch or journal, have writing utensils at hand.
Maybe you focus on religious symbols or tokens as reminders for prayer or meditation. You may want a table or shelf to display these, or use a chest or box to store them. Gratitude decor makes good visual encouragement if you want to focus on gratitude. If you love the ambiance of candles, burn beeswax candles. Mainstream candles (paraffin wax) are toxic to breathe. Beeswax candles clean the air and last longer. This beeswax jar candle from a small family business called BeeTheLight gives a sweet smell and a clean, 20-hour burn.
Generally speaking, a healing space is for delving inside of your inner space for deep healing work. This may include prayer, meditation, toning, singing, writing, painting, yoga, or reading. Most of these things don’t require any more objects than what’s necessary to complete the process (i.e. pen for writing). But anything that brings you comfort or peace is a wonderful inclusion in this environment when it’s a positive influence and promotes your healing.
Make Your Home Work for You
Homes are functional (or at least, they should be). We sleep in the bedroom. The kitchen is where we cook. We eat in the kitchen/dining room. The bathroom is where we bathe and take care of our elimination needs. We need to do all of these things to survive. In the same way, we need our space to support us emotionally and cognitively. We connect with loved ones, relax, and have fun in the living area. This space should feel welcoming and comfortable. It should reflect your values and foster a happy home. The home office is where we work or study. It is where we grow, learn and exercise our skills. This space should help you focus. It should provide inspiration and motivation, and it should ultimately reflect and encourage your vision.
Every space in your home should best support you in whatever function you do there. We need to purpose each room to best benefit our lifestyle. And that includes designating a healing space where we can focus on our inner space. Just as we need to prioritize time for ourselves, we need a supportive place where we do this. Do not neglect this important function and be sure to find a spot for you, even if just a cozy closet! The fact that you are alive and are, as such, a continuous work in progress means that you deserve this. A healing space is not a luxury, but a necessary component of regular self-care. Make it work for you!