This week, we’re talking about how to turn our home environment into a place that relaxes and energizes us!

If you tend to work from home, creating little pockets of relaxation right where you are is extra important.

We'll walk through each of the 5 senses (Smell, Sound, Touch, Sight, and Taste) to help you make your home workspace more peaceful, and more enjoyable to be in.

Smell

First, let’s talk about a space that is designed to be maximally relaxing: a Spa!

When you step into a Spa, what’s the first thing you notice?

It’s not just the calming music or the cozy robes. It’s the scent. That’s the power of aromatherapy, and that’s where we’re starting.

Have you ever taken a deep breath of lavender and immediately felt a little calmer? It's not just in your head. The reason it works so well is because of how our sense of smell connects to our brain.

When you inhale a scent, the molecules travel through your nose and directly interact with your olfactory nerve. This nerve enables your sense of smell — which is closely linked to the limbic system in your brain. That’s the part responsible for emotions and memory.

Different scents trigger different responses, which is why spas carefully curate their fragrances to promote relaxation and rejuvenation.

5 Scents to Unlock New Energy

🪻 Lavender – Calms anxiety, improves sleep, and lowers stress levels. Perfect for winding down in the evening.

🍊 Citrus (Lemon, Orange, Bergamot, Grapefruit) – Uplifting and energizing. Great for morning showers or an afternoon boost.

🌿 Eucalyptus – Clears the mind, promotes deep breathing, and works wonders in a steamy bathroom for a spa-like shower experience.

🌹 Rose – Encourages relaxation and feelings of self-love. Ideal for a romantic bath or a cozy night in.

🌲 Sandalwood – Deep, grounding, and meditative. Helps with focus and inner calm.

Sound

Sound is powerful.

It influences our emotions, brainwaves, and even our physical state. This is because certain sounds stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system —a ka the part of your body that tells you: ‘Hey, it’s okay to relax now.’

Studies have shown that calming sounds can:

🎵 Lower heart rate and blood pressure

🎵 Reduce stress and anxiety

🎵 Improves concentration

🎵 Enhance sleep quality

That’s why spas carefully curate their sound environment — so your body and mind naturally transition into a more peaceful state. 

3 ways to incorporate relaxing sounds into your routine:

🌙 Bedtime Wind-Down – Play a soft nature soundscape while getting ready for bed to signal to your brain that it’s time to relax.

☕ Morning Reset – Instead of jumping into the day with loud news or notifications, try starting with soft instrumental music.

💆‍♀️ Mindful Breaks – Close your eyes and listen to calming sounds for a few minutes between tasks.

Your mini-challenge today is to curate your own spa playlist or find a soundscape that instantly soothes you.

Whether it’s ocean waves, classical piano, or a crackling fireplace, play it while you’re winding down tonight and see how it shifts your mood.

Touch

Our skin is constantly sending signals to our brain about how we feel.

Now let's talk about two ways to bring that luxurious spa feel into your home: through cozy, spa-like textures and simple self-massage techniques.

When we experience soft, comforting textures, our brain releases feel-good chemicals like serotonin and oxytocin, helping us de-stress and feel a little more at ease.

5 ways to add spa-like textures to your home:

🛏️ Upgrade Your Bedding – Swap out scratchy sheets for breathable, soft fabrics for a more luxurious sleep.

🧖‍♀️ Plush Robes & Towels – A fluffy robe or towel after a shower can instantly make your bathroom feel like a spa.

🦶 Soft Rugs & Blankets – Stepping onto a plush rug or curling up with a weighted blanket adds coziness and relaxation to your space.

🧘 Silky Pajamas or Loungewear – Wearing smooth, soft fabrics instead of tight or rough clothing can make a huge difference in how you feel.

🌡️ Heated Comfort – Use a heating pad or a warm towel to create a cozy, spa-like sensation on your skin.

Now, let’s talk about massage. A good massage doesn’t just feel great — it actually releases tension, improves circulation, and lowers cortisol (aka the stress hormone). 

And the best part? 

You don’t need a professional massage therapist to experience these benefits. You can do simple self-massage techniques at home to relieve stress and soothe tired muscles.

4 simple self-massage techniques to try:

🤲 Hand Massage – Use your thumb to press into the palm of your opposite hand, working in slow circles. Massage between the fingers and along the wrist for extra relief.

💆‍♀️ Scalp Massage – Gently massage your scalp using your fingertips in circular motions. This boosts circulation and can even help with headaches.

👣 Foot Massage – Roll a tennis ball under your feet to release tension, or use your thumbs to massage the arch and heel.

🦵 Leg & Calf Massage – If your legs feel tired, use both hands to knead your calves and thighs, working upwards toward your heart.

Sight

When a space looks chaotic, our minds feel chaotic too.

On the flip side, a clean, soothing environment can help reduce stress, improve focus, and even make it easier to relax and unwind at the end of the day.

Spas use a 'less is more' approach, keeping things simple, organized, and easy on the eyes.
 

5 ways to create a visually calming space:

🖼️ Soothing Colors – Spas typically use earthy neutrals and calming greens or blues. If you prefer bright colors - your space can still feel like a spa! Balancing bold hues with softer elements creates a space that feels both vibrant and serene.

🕯️ Soft & Warm Lighting – Use lamps, dimmable lights, or candles to create a cozy, spa-like glow.

🪴 Bring in Nature – Adding plants, flowers, or even a small water fountain can instantly make a space feel more serene.

📦 Declutter & Simplify – A clutter-free space = a clutter-free mind. Put away unnecessary items, organize countertops, and create a more intentional space.

☯️ Symmetry & Simplicity – Spas keep things balanced and minimal. Try placing items in pairs -like two candles or matching towels - to create a sense of harmony.

Taste

So far, we’ve explored how scent, sound, touch, and sight can create a calming environment.

Now, we’re wrapping it all up with something we often overlook: taste!

Spas aren’t just about the atmosphere — they’re also about what we consume.

The right flavors can enhance relaxation, provide nourishment, and even help us slow down and savor the moment.

Spas often serve infused waters, herbal teas, and light snacks designed to refresh and restore.

Bringing that same mindful approach to what we sip and snack on at home can elevate even the most ordinary moment into something special.

4 spa-inspired drinks and snacks:

🍵 Herbal Teas & Warm Drinks – Chamomile, peppermint, and lavender teas are known for their soothing properties. 

🍓 Infused Water – Add slices of cucumber, lemon, mint, or berries to your water for a spa-like refresh.

🥑 Light & Nourishing Snacks – Spas serve foods that leave you feeling light yet satisfied. Try fresh fruit, nuts, yogurt, or dark chocolate.

🍯 Sweet but Balanced – If you love sweets, opt for natural sources like honey, coconut, or dates, which provide a gentle energy boost without the crash.

As we close out this week, take a moment to reflect: which of the senses resonated with you the most? 

Remember, creating a spa-like home isn’t about perfection — it’s about intention.

Even the smallest tweaks, like playing soft music, dimming the lights, or sipping a warm tea, can transform an everyday moment into a mindful retreat.

Thank you for joining me this week! I hope you found something that brings a little extra peace and joy into your daily life.

P.S. If you could use help accomplishing your goals this season, please join us at one of our live guided work sessions, or morning planning sessions!

Take care,

— Suliel from focused space