The Environment We Need to Heal

The Power of Your Environment

An environment can deeply impact well-being. Whether we know it or not, we are touched by the places we walk through — how they affect our emotions, our energy, our health. A forced/chaotic environment cause stress and overwhelm, a peace/harmonious space supports emotional balancing. Relaxation, healing...

This chapter also emphasizes an urgency in designing a healing environment — designer or procedure — that takes an intentional approach about the extractions and arrangements of our environment — at home, work or personal spaces — in ways where our well-being, health and healing is an integral part of our lives. Everything in a place is an element that can add, from how a room is laid out to the colors, textures and energy of that environment; all of that plays into the atmosphere and how we feel in it.

Why Environment Is Important in Healing

Are you aware that the environment we are staying plays a crucial role in the mental, emotional, and physical state of our well-being? Our surroundings can do one of two things: heal and help us, or suck energy from us and exacerbate our stress. It is scientifically established that our environment acts on us on the invisible level: it affects our nervous system, hormones and states of mind.

Environmental Stressors

Environmental stressors are external factors that cause stress, anxiety and even physical damage. There are so many: noise pollution, bad lighting, clutter, toxins in the air. Evolving beyond a temporary disparate stressor, compounding chronic stress, fatigue, and illness.

Healing environments promote relaxation and renewal

A healing environment, on the other hand, is one where someone is able to unwind, relax, and reset. And it also relieves the stress and helps to recharge our energy by relaxing our nervous system. Calm, visually please and orderly environments can help enhance emotional well-being, boost productivity and promote healing.

Manifesting Your Healing Space of Safety

Whether at home — in an apartment, a house or an office building — you can make a healing sanctuary that’ll affirm you as such. So I like to share a few of these tips that grounded them on how to create these areas in their life that allow you to relax, to remain grounded, and to heal:

Declutter and Organize

Declutter and Organize Space The first thing to do to create an environment for healing. Encumbrance could come during times of stress, but then another clutter attack. Get rid of clutter and any other things you do not use. Have only items that spark joy, peace, and positivity.

One Room at a Time: Choose one room or area in your home. His parts are cluttered and no longer spark joy: purge.

Homogenise your items: A space designated for similar items reduces visual noise. For example, maintain a tidy workplace, a distraction-free relaxation area and a restful bedroom.

Get rid of emotional clutter: Clutter in our space is more often a remnant of emotional baggage. Get rid of things that have old memories, painful experiences, or stagnant energy.

Incorporate Nature

Nature, natural healing makes you heal. Bringing natural elements into your space can reduce stress, improve air quality and foster calm. You don’t have to reside in quaint pastures to create a natural atmosphere; minor additions can make a big difference.

Houseplants: Plants purify the air, improve your mood and give you peace. Introduce low-maintenance houseplants to your home or office. Some good options are snake plants, peace lilies and succulents.

Natural Materials: Décor from wood, stone, cotton and linen These materials are grounding and establish a warm, organic tone.

Water Elements: Water calms the senses. A fountain or an aquarium, even, can bring serenity. It helps in reducing stress and builds a tranquil atmosphere with the trickle of running water.

WORK Well Regardless: Use natural light in your work area as much as you can. Exposure to sunlight increases serotonin, a hormone that regulates your mood, plus it influences your circadian rhythm. If there is no natural light, warm, soft artificial lighting also creates a cozy atmosphere.

Use Color to Set the Mood

Color shapes and can have a strong emotional weight on how we feel in a space. Some colors encourage relaxation, energy, warmth or creativity. Simply by choosing certain tones in certain rooms, you can also make a healing environment in which you feel at ease and where your emotional needs are attended to.

Calm, Restful Colors Light blues and greens help establish a relaxed, soothing atmosphere. Use them in bedrooms, bathrooms or meditation spaces to invite relaxation and a sense of peace.

Earthy Tones: Browns, beiges, and other earth tones bring grounded and nurturing energy. These tones are for living rooms, kitchens and other common rooms.

Warm Whites and Creams: Pale neutrals can create an airy, peaceful atmosphere and make small areas feel larger.

Pops of Yellow and Orange: These colors are vibrant and feel so cheerful. Use them only in places where you want motivation and inspiration, such as a home office or creative space.

Dark Purples and Reds: For meditation or sacred spaces. Blue turquoise: They are also considered spiritual-healer, and also deepen emotional work.

Design thematic sacred spaces for meditation and contemplation

Designate a specific space in your home for meditating, praying or sitting in silence. Avoid distractions in this space to the extent possible and avoid anything that creates a more peaceful feeling. It doesn’t have to be big — just a little corner or nook can become a place of sanctuary for your soul.

Sacred Objects: Surround yourself with sacred objects, whether candles, crystals, church symbols, or meaningful art.

Comfortable Meditation: Sit on cushions, yoga mats or a comfortable chair. This position should enable good posture and full relaxation.

Soft Light: Gentle, soft light, such as candles, string lights or a salt lamp, provides a calming energy that makes way for relaxation and inner stillness.

Use Aromatherapy for Healing

Aromatherapy is the use of aromas to influence mood and physical health. When diffused into the air or absorbed into the skin they promote relaxation, focus and healing. Therapeutic properties have been linked to some scents, including:

Lavender: Lavender is used due to its calming and relaxing properties and can reduce stress levels and anxiety.

Frankincense: Used in meditation; has grounding and centering properties.

Peppermint: Peppermint is invigorating and uplifting, providing clarity and focus.

Eucalyptus: Fresh, clean, and purifying, eucalyptus is wonderful for respiratory support.

Rose: Rose essential oil is known to open the heart and promote love and emotional healing.

To scent your space with healing aromas, use a diffuser, candles or a drop or two of essential oils in your bath.

The Healing Power of Breath — Pranayama & Breath Work as a Healing Process

Controlled breathing techniques, such as pranayama, have been shown to reduce stress and improve emotional regulation. Research by Jerath et al. (2006) emphasize the importance of deep, slow breathing in alleviating anxiety and bringing a sense of calm.

Foster Sound Healing

The music has such an effect on the body and mind. Stress Relief: A tranquil, calming soundscape that aids in stress reduction and encourages relaxation.

Soothing Music: Play soft, instrumental music or nature sounds, like rain waterfalls, ocean waves or birdsong, to encourage a relaxed atmosphere.

Sound baths: You might consider using sound-healing instruments, such as singing bowls, chimes or gongs, that can balance energy and promote relaxation.

Silence: Sometimes the best music is no music at all. Silence fills our inner world from the inside out, bringing us closer to our true self.

Healing through Sound—Sound therapy and Vibration Science

A study by Goldsby et al. (2022) focuses on sound therapy in its forms, especially with the use of sound-related instruments like singing bowls, through the vibrations they create, enabling healing and relaxation, mental clarity.

Healing Environments in Religious and Spiritual Contexts

The concept of a sacred space for healing and contemplation is found in many religions and spiritual traditions. For example:

This is enabling individuals to connect with God through prayer and contemplation and is one of the main functions of churches, chapels and prayer rooms in Christianity.

The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Pray as you have seen me pray.”.

Take, for instance, meditation centers and zen gardens in Buddhism, which function as spaces for relaxation intended toward mindfulness and enlightenment.

How to Build Your Own Healing Sanctuary

Creating a healing environment for yourself is very personal, but it can be life-changing. Provisioning a celebration around rest, peace, and balance means you are making space for healing in your life. Through decluttering, bringing in natural elements or using colors and scents, your environment can become a sanctuary that speaks to your mind, body and spirit.

Time to reassure yourself, because as you navigate on this healing journey, your Space Reflects your Internal state just as much as it does your external world. You are the data you generate.

Reference:

Goldsby, T. L., Goldsby, M. E., McWalters, M., & Mills, P. J. (2022). Sound Healing: Mood, Emotional, and Spiritual Well-Being Interrelationships. Religions, 13(2), 123. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13020123

Jerath R, Edry JW, Barnes VA, Jerath V. Physiology of long pranayamic breathing: neural respiratory elements may provide a mechanism that explains how slow deep breathing shifts the autonomic nervous system. Med Hypotheses. 2006;67(3):566-71. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2006.02.042. Epub 2006 Apr 18. PMID: 16624497.