How To: DIY Home Wellness Sanctuary
According to the UK version of Country Living, ‘sensehacking’ is set to be one of the biggest wellness trends of 2023…though PRIMARY coworking has practiced this for years in the US already.
What does it mean exactly? “According to the experts, sensehacking is said to help improve your cognitive and emotional wellbeing.”
Studies have shown that your environment – bedroom, living room, home office, workplace – can influence your mood, productivity, creativity, energy levels, and more.
As hybrid work options continue to be trending, and you pursue checking boxes off your 2023 goal list, sensehacking your space may be for you.
PRIMARY’s motto, "you work best when you feel great,” is based around the concept of sensehacking to create a zen-like oasis in the bustle of downtown Manhattan.
But why stop there? Here are our tips so you can create your own home wellness sanctuary based on the five senses:
Sight
If you’ve ever been to PRIMARY, you may have noticed the abundance of greenery, and carefully chosen color schemes, throughout the two floors.
Indoor plants in general can positively affect mental health, with different types of plants, flowers, and colors going more in-depth. According to MindBodyGreen, colorful plants are IN for 2023, making our home or office happier, and ourselves a little more productive and creative.
To spruce up your own space, our local NYC pick is The Sill, and Bloomscape has great shipping options.
Taste
According to science writer David Freeman, “Eighty percent of what the brain interprets as a taste sensation is in fact really coming from our sense of smell.”
But TBH, we like food, especially dark chocolate from Hu Kitchen. Taking the time to eat real, healthy food during the day can help improve your mood, increase creativity and productivity, and make you feel better overall.
To go back to the taste-smell connection, when choosing a signature candle or room spray, consider choosing a warming or sweet scent, like vanilla or roses.
Touch
Quick, name three things that you touch the most every day.
We’d be shocked if cellphone, keyboard, and TV remote weren’t on the list, or the only things. It’s no secret that we as a society are glued to technology.
When you take breaks during the day, do something with your hands other than scrolling such as cooking, or playing with this Pinch Me Therapy Dough.
Invest in luxury yet cozy loungewear that makes you feel good and ready to take on the day. Add a fluffy pillow to your desk chair.
Smell
According to Vogue, “Scents have the ability to alter our emotions and moods more than any other sensory experience,” says Dr. Rachel Herz, neuroscientist and author of The Scent of Desire (HarperCollins, 2007). “This is because of the unique connection in the brain where scent, emotion, memories and associations are processed.”
Naturally, candles are a great option to add scent to your space though diffusers or wax melts are also ideal (and a bit safer!).
Our candle picks include Catskills Candle Studio and Otherland. NEST’s diffusers are also a great option!
Hear
Have you ever turned the music down in the car to see better?
Certain sounds or vibrations can be distracting, while others uplifting.
If you prefer to have background noise while working, cooking, cleaning, or even reading, choose an option that will help you have the best positive outcomes for that task.
For example, instrumental music may help you stay focused while songs in a major key can help improve your mood.
Finding your personal frequency can also help you choose what to turn on. Well + Good even suggested a few YouTube playlists! We recommend searching Spotify for something that matches your needs too.
We can’t wait to see how you sensehack your space for success!