To understand the wellness aesthetic, think about being in a museum, or a symphony hall, or a cathedral. Notice the sights, sounds, and even the aromas that surround you. You feel as if you are enveloped by beauty or, perhaps, excellence. And by extension, you yourself begin to feel the possibility of being more attractive and accomplished!
THIS is the power of the wellness aesthetic!
The wellness aesthetic
In 2012, Professor Abraham Goldberg published the results of his study on what makes people happy.
After studying the data, he concluded that happiness was greatly influenced by living and working in a beautiful, harmonious environment. The answer to what makes people happy is the beauty in their everyday environment.
Lovely surroundings affect our emotions in a particular way that makes us feel happier.
Of course, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” so what causes you to feel this sense of well-being might be different than what influences me.
The important thing is to create an environment that encourages relaxation, tranquility, and serenity.
This is great news because it means we can customize our individual surroundings to create our own wellness aesthetic!
The wellness aesthetic is not only based on beautiful objects but, just like the eight dimensions of wellness, the aesthetic is about balancing all the aspects of our lives.
It stresses the importance of creating spaces that allow for and encourage relaxation, calmness, self-care, serenity, and well-being.
When we surround ourselves with pleasing elements such as plants, soft lighting, and cozy touches, we tend to be more focused and in a better mood.
This makes perfect sense based on the fact that numerous studies have determined that cluttered and chaotic conditions make us feel anxiety, lack of focus, and depression.
Which of the spaces below would you prefer to work in?
What are some of the things we can do to incorporate a wellness aesthetic into our personal surroundings?
- Declutter! Clutter contributes to anxiety and lack of focus; it is not an aesthetic choice!
- Decorate with colors that you find soothing. Depending on your personal preferences these colors could be neutral, pastels, or even dark colors.
- Bring outdoor elements inside by adding plants and items of stone or wood. Even faux plants can have a positive effect!
- Let in natural light whenever possible. Sunlight is a natural mood lifter and having unobstructed windows has the added benefit of an outdoor view.
- Create cozy, self-care nooks in your home. Choose a corner and add your favorite comfy chair, cozy blanket, and a small table on which to set your cup of tea or a glass of wine. This can be a reading space or even a yoga or meditation space.
- Play relaxing music and burn aromatic candles.
- Display a few knickknacks that you think are pretty or that bring back happy memories.
- Hang artwork or photographs.
- Flowers! 💐
Observe and appreciate the beauty all around you
Create opportunities for noticing the beauty in your everyday life.
A lovely green landscape, a quirky older building, or a baby in a stroller can be equally beautiful.
Mindfully consider art, music, movies, literature, etc.
Enjoy these things at home as well as at concerts, local art shows, libraries, and theaters.
You might discover new beauty experiences you’ll want to incorporate into your home.
Find joy in other people who express the qualities of kindness, empathy, and generosity. These are all forms of beauty.
(And remember to appreciate these qualities in yourself!)
Wellness aesthetic conclusion
The power of the wellness aesthetic is that it can enhance your overall well-being.
By designing our living and working spaces to encourage relaxation, self-care, and peace, we can counteract the stressful hustle and bustle of our fast-paced lives.
Are you ready to begin the journey of transforming your home into your beautiful sanctuary? Tell us about it in the comments below.
