11. A Quiet Place.
The art of creating a peaceful oasis in a bustling city.
I live in one of the world’s busiest, most alive cities. The City. And as our motto suggests, I, too, love it here. I beam with pride at every end-of-the-world movie backdropped by Manhattan. Lady Liberty, beaten and tattered, yet the only standing visage of an unbeatable city. The energy, the pace, the people are electrifying, especially in the earlier years of living here. I would leave to visit literally anywhere else in the world, but when I returned and caught sight of that skyline, my heart skipped a beat. I was home. Yes, back to the dirt, the smells, the loud noises. But it was mine, and it was perfect. My roots firmly planted. And just like living on a tropical island, a slice of paradise, enduring endless hurricane seasons, year after year, you take the bad with the overwhelmingly good.
I’ve made friends, friends so close they’re now family. I’ve found and lost love and had experiences so intrinsically New York that I would have never experienced them anywhere else. Yet in time, on this narrow concrete isle where all space is shared, I sought the calm. A respite from the bustle. I keep my eyes on my wild child but also carve out a little corner for myself and myself alone. It’s still the city that never sleeps, but alas, I now do.
In our fast-paced world, creating a calming environment at home is essential for reducing stress and enhancing overall well-being. By strategically incorporating home tools, technology, and natural additions, we can lower cortisol levels, boost serotonin, and improve sleep quality. This article will explore the benefits of various tools for better skincare and haircare routines, such as water filters, air purifiers, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers.
Cortisol vs. Serotonin
Cortisol, the stress hormone, can wreak havoc on our health when levels remain elevated for prolonged periods. High cortisol levels are linked to various health issues, including anxiety, insomnia, and weakened immune function. Conversely, serotonin, often dubbed the happiness hormone, plays a crucial role in mood regulation, relaxation, and sleep quality. Here are some effective strategies and tools to create a calming environment that lowers cortisol and boosts serotonin.
Tip #1
Purify for Wellness
Clean water is fundamental to our health, impacting everything from digestion to skin clarity. Installing a high-quality water filter in your home ensures the water you drink and use for daily routines is free from contaminants. This not only supports overall health but also enhances skincare and hair care. Filtered water helps maintain skin hydration, reduces irritation, and improves the effectiveness of skincare products.
Tip #2
Breathe Easy
Air quality is often overlooked but plays a significant role in our health and well-being. Air purifiers remove pollutants, allergens, and toxins from the air, providing a cleaner and healthier environment. This is particularly beneficial for those with respiratory issues or allergies. Improved air quality can lead to better sleep, reduced stress, and clearer skin.
Tip #3
Achieving Optimal Humidity
Maintaining optimal humidity levels in your home is crucial for comfort and health. Humidifiers add moisture to the air, preventing dryness that can irritate the skin, throat, and nasal passages. This is especially important during the winter months when indoor air tends to be drier. Conversely, dehumidifiers remove excess moisture, preventing mold growth and maintaining a comfortable environment. Both tools can significantly improve sleep quality and overall wellness.
Tip #4
Enhancing the Ambiance
Incorporating natural elements into your home environment can have a profound impact on your well-being. Here are a few natural additions to consider:
Indoor Plants: Plants not only beautify your space but also purify the air by absorbing toxins and releasing oxygen. Certain plants, like lavender and jasmine, have calming properties that can reduce stress and promote relaxation.
Essential Oils & Signature scents: Aromatherapy is a powerful tool for reducing stress and enhancing mood. Diffusing essential oils such as lavender, chamomile, and bergamot can lower cortisol levels and improve sleep quality. These oils can also be incorporated into skincare routines for added benefits.
Natural Light: Exposure to natural light regulates our circadian rhythm, improving sleep patterns and boosting serotonin production. Ensure your home has ample natural light during the day, and consider using light therapy lamps when natural light is scarce, especially during the darker months.
Noise Cancelling Options: Reducing unwanted noise can create a more serene and focused environment. Incorporate noise-cancelling solutions such as soundproof curtains, acoustic panels, or white noise machines. These options can help minimize distractions, enhance concentration, and improve overall relaxation within your home.
Tip #5
Using Technology for Enhanced Wellness
Modern technology offers numerous tools to support a calming and healthy home environment. Here are some solutions to consider:
Smart Sleep Devices: Devices like smart mattresses, sleep trackers, and white noise machines can help improve sleep quality. They monitor sleep patterns, provide insights, and create optimal sleep conditions.
Meditation Apps: Guided meditation and mindfulness apps can help reduce stress and promote relaxation. Regular meditation has been shown to lower cortisol levels and increase serotonin production.
Smart Home Systems: Integrate smart home systems that allow you to control lighting temperature and even play calming music with voice commands. These systems can create a personalized, serene environment tailored to your preferences.
Checkout 🛒
Loftie Alarm Clock $149; Lofite allows you to leave your smartphone outside the door. It offers the obvious: an alarm, night light (the warm kind, not the blue kind), and a speaker, but the extras make breaking up with your phone for the night within reach. Loftie has a library of white noise options and a media center packed with meditations, sound baths, breathwork, and stories.
Mila Air Purifier $349; Mila is having a sale right now, 39-45% off, ending on 7/23, and Well Theorem readers get an additional $50 off with no expiration. I’ve had my Mila for a year now and love it. I use the Critter Cuddler Filter, which includes a HEPA + heavy-duty carbon filter specially designed to keep animal funk and particles out of your air. I was an early adopter, so my experience came with a few product returns as the company worked out its kinks, but the process was painless, and in the end, it was a great addition to my space. Mila looks good in my living room and comes with an app that allows you to control your settings either manually or automatically, from a loose setting all the way to bubble boy levels of protection.
Filterbaby Skincare Filter 2.0 $125; This filter removes 99.9% of chlorine, chloramine, certain hard metals, and hundreds of contaminants in tap water. It comes in tons of fun colors, installs in less than 5 minutes with no plumber, and is guaranteed to fit all faucets. If you do wind up having fit issues, they’ll send you adapters. Plus, there’s a 25% off summer sale happening right now.
Voesh Shower & Empower Vitamin C Shower Filter $29; The VoeshVitamin C shower filter is designed to last up to 110 showers and bring the spa to your bathroom with skin-loving ingredients and pleasant scents to help you escape. Vitamin C removes residual chlorine and other impurities from hard water to rejuvenate your skin and condition your hair. Vegan probiotics strengthen and regenerate the skin barrier, while oatmeal powder softens and soothes for healthy, glowing skin.
HomeLabs 1,000 Sq. Ft Portable Dehumidifier $129.99; Compact yet powerful, this dehumidifier removes up to 8 pints (approximately 1.2 gallons) of moisture daily, helping make small spaces up to 1000 sq ft more comfortable and healthier. It effectively reduces humidity levels and eliminates excess water from desired spaces like living rooms, closets, or bedrooms.
Canopy Bedside Humidifier + Filter & Aroma Subscription $125; Canopy designed their humidifiers to provide the optimal relative humidity in an environment, from embedded sensors that monitor whether it should be on or off to intelligence to help prevent mold growth, dishwasher-safe components, and a small footprint (up to 500 sqft) that's nightstand friendly. Plus, it comes with a 3 Piece Rituals Aroma Kit.
Art3d Wood Slat Acoustic Sound Absorbing Panels with a Wood Finish $119.99; When you have neighbors but don’t want to hear them, these panels offer sound absorption without compromising on aesthetics. You can outfit a full wall or a section depending on how noisy your unofficial flatmates are.
📌 Final Thoughts
Creating a calming environment at home is a holistic process that involves the right tools, natural additions, and technology. By purifying your water and air, maintaining optimal humidity levels, incorporating natural elements, and leveraging modern technology, you can improve your skin and hair routine, lower cortisol levels, and boost serotonin and sleep quality. These efforts not only enhance physical health but also foster mental and emotional well-being, creating a sanctuary of calm and tranquility in your home.
Shut out the noise and create calm.
Until next time,
T.
Ps - This Substack is free, and I may receive commissions for purchases made through some linked and pinned products.
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