Be well in your happy place

Submitted by ERIN NENNI AND CHRISTI THOMPSON/ THREE LITTLE BIRDS

One of the best ways to maintain a happy life is to create a happy home. When we view our home as a place of restoration and peace, it will provide stability for us to live our best life.

With five children and just as many jobs between our two families, we find ourselves constantly on the go leaving little time for cleaning, organizing and decorating our homes. When we wake up in the morning, all we want is our coffee, and when we get home at night, we just want to relax and binge-watch "Yellowstone."

However, we have become very aware over the last year that if we want to be well, we can’t enjoy these things surrounded by messes and empty walls. Here are a few easy steps you can take to make your home your happy place:

Stop hitting the snooze button, and use that five minutes to make your bed (or at least throw your comforter over your mattress and put your pillows back up on your headboard). We promise it will make all the difference as you’re getting ready for the day, and it will help your room seem more tidy when you go to bed.

There is nothing worse than piles of laundry everywhere and forgetting what’s clean (because you just didn’t have time to fold it) and what’s dirty (because you just haven’t had time to wash it). If you don’t do anything else with your laundry, invest in two large laundry baskets or totes, and get those clothes off of the floor and in the basket!

Every night dedicate 10 minutes to a main living area reset. Just 10 minutes. Set a timer. Put stray shoes in a place by the door, put toys away in a catch all basket, load the dishwasher with dirty dishes and wipe down your kitchen counters. Decluttering reduces stress and allows you to really relax while you watch TV, read a book or do whatever it is that helps you wind down.

Even if you aren’t great at decorating, don’t leave your mantle and tables bare. Start by adding potted greenery (faux or real). Bring the

outside in. Plants add life to a space. Then, add a few items that make you smile. Family pictures, signs with positive messages, favorite song lyrics or sentimental decorative items. These things will help you reset after a long day. Don’t over decorate though, as that can look and feel like clutter if it isn’t done right. Keep it simple.

Choose mood enhancing colors for your decor. Bold colors are a great way to show off your personality, and soft tones can calm any space. Blues in the bedroom help create serenity and relaxation. Greens are inviting and should be added to living and dining spaces to create a welcoming and nurturing environment. Pops of yellow are great for energy. Using this color in a breakfast area and kitchen is a great way to start the day.

Finally, have a quiet space, even if it’s your bedroom closet because that’s the only place the kids won’t find you. Make it a no children, no electronics, worry free zone. Use that space to read, stretch, pray or just be. Even if you only have five minutes, make this a part of your daily routine.

You might not be able to do it all right away, and that’s OK. We don’t all have time for hours worth of self-care each week. Add one small five-minute step at a time, and you won’t regret it. Your mental, physical, and emotional health will thank you and so will your family. Be well in your happy place.

To learn more, visit www.threelittlebirdsnc.com.