How to Turn a Spare Room Into a Wellness Retreat

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Self-care is vital for helping you to overcome the stresses you encounter daily. While it would be nice to live in a spa, the truth is you don’t have to travel far from home to enjoy a relaxing oasis. From switching to an ultra plush mattress to adding relaxing artwork and plants, you have tools available to make your own personal paradise. Taking these actions to turn your spare room into a wellness retreat pays off when you have a peaceful retreat just a few steps down the hall.

Remove Stressful Clutter

Spare rooms tend to become the catch-all for items you aren’t sure what to do with. Unfortunately, clutter is more than just an eyesore. Too many items with no defined storage space can lead to elevated cortisol levels in your body.

You can start decluttering by removing items that are ready for disposal or donation. Then, look for ways to store stray items. For instance, you might opt to stash extra clothing in a pretty dresser rather than leaving it piled on a guest bed. Removing clutter also creates more space for the items that bring you joy. For instance, you’ll have more space to add a queen mattress to your newly cleared wellness retreat.

Choose the Right Size Mattress

Mattress sizes have a wide range, which is perfect for creating a customized experience. Many people choose a full or queen mattress for guest rooms. A smaller mattress may open more floor space if you plan to have your guest room double as your wellness retreat area. However, you may want to consider purchasing a king size mattress for more sleeping space if you often have couples overnight at your home.

Eliminate Street Noise and Bright Lights

Bright lights, loud cars driving by, and other distractions make it hard to fully relax in your wellness room. While hearing a horn honk might be briefly annoying, it’s also essential to consider the long-term impact of sensory disruptions in your environment.

Prolonged levels of stress can damage the optic nerve in your eyes. You may also find that your eyes are more sensitive to light when you are dealing with anxiety or stress. Hanging thick curtains that block out light and noise is a great place to start when making the space more relaxing. If the room has hard flooring, you might also find a soft, plush rug to help dampen sounds. Once you’ve set up your bed, adding cozy pillows and fluffy bedding can also help to make the room quieter.

Incorporate Plants and Other Feng Shui Elements

You can feng shui the bedroom with plants, balanced visuals, and strategic placement of the furniture. This ancient Chinese practice focuses on techniques that help improve positive energy flow in a room, and you’ll find that many strategies align with modern design.

Interestingly, studies find that interacting with live plants indoors helps to reduce psychological stress while also lowering blood pressure and other biological markers. Adding flowers and greenery to your wellness retreat helps transport your body and mind away from life’s daily stressors. Plus, they add beauty to your environment.

When considering the placement of your bed, you’ll want to explore other feng shui elements, such as the importance of placing it in the commanding position. This location should be where you can see the door while lying in your new bed, but not directly across from it.

Including symmetrical placement of the other bedroom furniture helps to round out your feng shui layout. For instance, you might place a nightstand on both sides of the bed to hold wellness supplies such as scented lotion and massage oils.

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Select Sheets With Beautifying Qualities

If you’ve ever wondered why you feel so relaxed in a spa, you’ll find that the sheets and robes they provide have much to do with healing your mind and body. Shopping for the best sheets for hair and skin is easy when you know what to look for.

The first thing you’ll want to include on your shopping list is a sheet set with breathable fabric. For instance, bamboo sheets have moisture-wicking properties that help to prevent sweating as you rest. Silk pillowcases are another option to add to your list that helps to prevent frizziness and premature skin wrinkling.

Induce a Sense of Calm With Aromatherapy

Soothing scents are another spa element that you can include in your wellness retreat. Look for diffusers that can hold essential oils such as lavender, eucalyptus, and orange blossom. Being able to inhale soothing aromas adds a sensory element that you’ll often find in formal wellness centers and spas.

You can also switch out the aromas in the wellness room to induce specific moods. For instance, you could use aromas with a hint of peppermint when you want to feel more energized. Alternatively, chamomile and ylang-ylang are scents that can help you feel more relaxed when using your wellness room to induce deeper sleep.

Start Creating Your Personalized Wellness Retreat

Elevating your spare room into a wellness retreat is an excellent way to add more relaxation and personal satisfaction to your life. Once you’ve cleared the room, it’s time to begin picking out the elements that transform your living space into one that sparks peace and happiness.

As with most room transformations, picking out the largest piece of furniture first serves as a grounding point for the rest of the space. Whether you plan to enjoy massages, meditate, or do some stretching, you’ll love having a designated space to engage in self-care each day.