"It’s no secret that the place where you spend the majority of your time will impact your well-being. After all, a healthy home makes it easy to take care of yourself. As a certified health coach who recently moved into her first home, I know firsthand the importance of filling your living space with things that positively affect how you feel. But before you get nervous that all these healthy home essentials are going to run up your credit card bills, stay with me for a moment. You may be surprised at how easy and affordable it is to fill your home with items that make you feel like your best self.
Get ready to transform your space into an environment that makes you feel confident about crushing any new wellness habits or goals. These are the eight healthy home essentials I can’t live without.
1. Essential Oil Diffuser
Essential oils have gotten a lot of hype over the past few years for their physical and mental health benefits. And of course, they can deliver an instant hit of zen that makes you feel like you walked out of a luxurious self-care spa day. Made entirely from natural ingredients, these oils are also highly concentrated, which makes the tiny bottles they usually come in go a long way. Just add a few drops to your diffuser to easily fill the room with fragrance. I like to use peppermint to help ease headaches and support digestion or lavender for stress relief.
2. Drinking Water Filter
Hydration is always a principle I preach, but it’s also important to make sure the water you’re drinking is clean. It’s impossible to tell if water is clean just by looking at it, and some tap water can contain hidden contaminants. Yup, that could include the water you’re using to make your favorite latte, too. But don’t panic—water filters that filter out these contaminants are available in all shapes and sizes. You might even have one built into your refrigerator! If not, start with a filtered water bottle or pitcher you can keep on your kitchen counter or in the fridge. Remember, using a clean water system without changing its filter often can be counterproductive, so be sure to replace the filter regularly.
3. A Pop of Bright Color
Adding color is one of the easiest ways to boost your mood at home, and you may already have what you need. I love a good neutral room, but including a pop of bright color allows me to add a specific intention to the space based on how I spend my time there. It can be something as simple as a pillow, throw blanket, candle, or area rug—all work well as a vibe check before you commit to putting paint on the wall. To determine the best color for the space, I like to rely on a little color psychology. Here are the mood benefits of some popular options, according to ColorPsychology.org:
- Blue: calm, freshness, strength, dependability
- Green: Growth, harmony, freshness, tranquility
- Yellow: Fresh ideas, creativity, mental clarity, new perspectives, joy, intellect
- Pink: Love, tenderness, vulnerability, youth
- Purple: Stability, royalty, ambition, wisdom, dignity
4. Plants
I probably don’t need to tell you that adding green to any room creates a whole vibe, but did you know plants can actually purify the air, too? That’s right—your plant mom habits are officially justified. Plants like English ivy, aloe vera, peace lilies, and many others can take toxins out of the air, absorb CO2, and release more oxygen. I love adding plants to rooms that are particularly dust-prone for a natural way to breathe easier. I’m also a fan of air purifiers, but let’s be honest: plants are much cuter to look at and quieter, too. Plus, they’re great for adding some calming energy to areas like the bedroom, a home office, or your living room.
5. Non-Toxic All-Purpose Cleaner
If you think about the one cleaning product you reach for most often, it’s likely an all-purpose cleaner. Since it’s something you use on a weekly or even daily basis, why not upgrade it to a non-toxic version? Cleaners made from natural ingredients are much safer to spray into the air you’re breathing in every day, especially if you have children, pets, or a weakened immune system. And yes, they work! No hazardous chemicals needed.
6. Entryway Shoe Storage
Upholding a no-shoes-in-the-house policy is an easy way to keep floors clean, since our shoes can carry insane amounts of bacteria and dirt. You can’t stop the germs from getting on shoes, but you can create an aesthetically-pleasing setup that encourages people to ditch them at the door. Trust me, I understand the awkwardness of telling a new house guest to please take off their shoes. That’s why I like to place a prominent yet stylish storage option in my entryway. It’s a subtle nod that can help people form the habit and keep unwanted bacteria away from your sanctuary.
7. Soy Candles
You can find me in the candle aisle almost weekly, and without fail, I always reach for a soy candle. With so many wax blends to choose from, it can be hard to tell the difference, but trust me, it’s a big one. Soy candles use wax that’s naturally derived from soybeans, while traditional candles are usually made from paraffin wax, which comes from petroleum. Soy wax generally burns cleaner and lasts longer, so it’s a win-win! But more importantly, the scent they put out into the air doesn’t introduce unnecessary toxins into your breathing air.
8. Blackout Curtains
Who doesn’t love a good night’s sleep? Every aspect of our health relies on proper rest, and one of the best ways to get quality sleep is to adjust any light that disrupts it. When you make your space as dark as possible, you signal your brain to shut down more quickly. If you find yourself tossing and turning or letting your mind race at night, a set of blackout curtains could be just what you need. The bedroom is an obvious place to start, but you could also add blackout curtains or darkening window treatments to other rooms where you spend time winding down. It’s all about prepping your body for a great night’s sleep.
