Photo courtesy of Alcove Closets
The holidays are just around the corner, and if you’re hosting a big family feast or a get-together with friends, things may get a little hectic. Of course, you keep everything clean and orderly throughout the year, but it’s natural to let your guard down just a tad as seasonal décor makes its way out of storage and indoor foot traffic picks up.
But before you’re overwrought with Thanksgiving prep and the festive but oftentimes frenzied festivities to come in December, take a minute to set yourself—and your home—up for a healthful season. Joanne English Rollieson of Englewood-based English Realty Associates suggests five ways to improve your overall health by adding wellness features in your space.
Add an air purifier
You might’ve stored holiday decorations in boxes and bins, but they’re still susceptible to dust. As you move furniture and make room for pieces like a Christmas tree (real or artificial), you’ll probably kick up allergens. “Having a couple of air purifiers in your home can help reduce allergens, promote better sleep and stave off bacteria and viruses,” says Rollieson. “How many you need and where they’re placed will depend on your house’s layout and square footage.”
Bring the outside in
“Plants can bring a sense of calm to a space, and some can improve air quality as well,” says Rollieson. In fact, some plants can absorb toxins that we might have otherwise inhaled, including benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene. Some really good plants to have are often the old favorites: spider and snake plants, peace lily, ivy, palm and weeping fig, among others. And some indoor plants have other uses too. “Having a countertop herb or vegetable garden can also make cooking delicious (and nutritious) meals a little easier,” says Rollieson.
Set up a calm zone
After a long afternoon of prep work in the kitchen or wrapping presents in the living room, you may want to escape to a space where peace and serenity rule. A calm zone, Rollieson says, is a “retreat with room for reading, meditating or listening to music” that can help anyone in the family “deal with stress in a healthy manner.” She recommends setting one up with a cozy chair or beanbag chair, blankets, a bookshelf and headphones in the space.
Get organized
Bringing winter items to the front of closets—from clothing and shoes to decorations and accessories—is easier when you keep everything organized. “Too much clutter can make it harder to find things and add stress to your life,” Rollieson says. Companies like Alcove Closets, Closet Factory and California Closets can organize any space in your home, whether you’re rearranging a kitchen pantry or consolidating items in a nursery. Working with professionals from these companies has advantages. For example, they can work with you to customize a closet based on your lifestyle and needs and how you use the space.
Include antibacterial and touchless surfaces
The pandemic reminded us the germs can be easily spread on frequently touched surfaces. The good news, Rollieson says, is that “many materials come in antibacterial, antimicrobial and touchless versions these days, including countertops, doorknobs and faucets.”
How do you create a healthier environment in your home? Tell us on Instagram @njhomemag.