A HOME THAT HEALS

Are you feeling like stress and anxiety have become overwhelming?

REIKI can help you RELAX & REBALANCE

Book your session today

Also offering Reiki classes for self-care and wellness

Helene Williams, BSN, RN, RMT Reiki Teacher/Practitioner Reiki in Health Care Consultant 313 West Liberty St, Ste 203, Lancaster 717-269-6084

www.helenewilliamsreiki.com

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A Home That Heals Creating a Nurturing Space

Home,whetherahumblestudio apartmentoradreamhouse,isa criticalfacetofwell-being,aspiritualheadquartersfromwhichgoodhealth springs.Everyoneinthefamily,including two-andfour-leggedchildren,canbenefit fromanenvironmentthatfeelslikeasacred space.Creatingnourishingcorners,along withmoreopenareasthatfeedthesenses andasystemoffunctionalease,canbea deepandrewardingactofself-care. “Ourhomeisbyfaroneofthemost significantinvestmentswe’llevermake. Ourspacesarenotmeanttobestagnant, buttoevolvethrougheachstageofour lives,”saysfeng shuiexpertBridgetSaraka, ofSaskatoon,Canada. AliEnglish,ownerofEldrumInteriors, inLincolnshire,England,concurs,“Weall needasafeholttoreturnto,thatspacewhere wecanbeutterlyourselves,utterlyatpeace.” Sanctuary and Mental Health Investinginharmonydoesnotrequirea highpricetag.“It’simportanttohavea mentalvisionofwhatthismeans,andfor me,therearethreemajorcomponents: peace,orderandbeauty,”saysTexas-based designerRachelAnneRidge,whoblogsat HomeSanctuary.com. by Marlaina Donato Likewaterandwind,harmonywithin thehomeshouldalsoflow.“Listeningto theenergiesinyourhomeandtakingthe timetomovefurniturearounduntilyou haveaplacementthatmakesyourheadfeel calmisreallyimportant,”saysEnglish. Fengshui—theancientChinese systemofcreatingharmonyinpersonal andprofessionalspaces—prioritizescolor psychology.“MoretimesthanIcancount, I’vehadclientsreportlossofmotivation afterpaintingtheirhomestaupe.They’ve alsoreportedweightgainanddigestive disorders,”saysSaraka.“It’sbesttousecolorsthatreflectlight,especiallyforhomes inlocationswherewinterislonganddays areshort.” Disruptiveclutterisanotherkeyplayer inelicitingdiscontent,especiallyforchildren thataresensitivetoenvironmentalstimulus. “Aspacethatisclutteredcancauseemotionaldistress,resultinginless-than-desirable behaviors,”saysSaraka.“Somethingas simpleasthelinesofthefurniturecanfeel sharp,creatinganxiety.Itallmatters.” Cultivating Comfort Soul-inspiringvisuals,satisfyingtexturesand natural,delightfulscentsarealldesirabledomesticcompanions.Asmall,ambientlamp

22 Lancaster-Berks NALancaster.com | NABerks.com G-Stock Studio/Shutterstock.com

Our spaces are not meant to be stagnant, but to evolve through each stage of our lives. ~Bridget Saraka

inabathroomoraspring-coloredsheerina windowcaninvitethebenedictionoflight. “Stepoutsidetheroomandthencome backinasaguest,”suggestsRidge.“What doyounoticewithyournewcomer’seyes? Whatdoestheroomfeellike?Whatsmells areyouawareof?Doyouneedtomovea catlitterboxtoanotherareaofthehouse? Wouldanarearugsoftenthehardsounds offoottraffic?Pauseoneachofyoursenses andmakenotes.”

Bringing the Outdoors In Incorporatingorganicelementscanboost thevitalityofanylivingspace.“Houseplants areawonderfulwaytobringthegreenworld intoourhomes.Gofororganiconesifpossible,andifyou’reworriedyoumayforgetto waterthem,considerplantslikescentedleaf pelargoniums;forexample,RoyalOak.They thriveonneglectandcanalsoprovidesome wonderfulroomfragrances,”saysEnglish. Shealsosuggestsincludingnaturalorqualityfauxbranchesandbloomsinthehome aswaysofdecorating—berriestoprovide splashesofrichorange,pineconesdabbed withmetallicpaint,orevenlongstemsofivy leavestwistedintogarlands. Havingliveplantsinthehomealso benefitsphysicalhealth.“Addingafewreal plantstoaspacecanhelpreduceenvironmentaltoxinsfoundinpaintsandmanmadeproducts,aswellaselectromagnetic frequencies—by-productsofelectronics.” Ridgeconcurs,“Cacticanbeacharmingalternativeforthoseofuswhodon’t haveagreenthumb,butstillwanttoenjoy alivingplantindoors.” Intheend,aplaceofsanctuarycomes fromaplaceoflove.Englishsumsitup best:“Ifyoupourthatsenseofloveinto yourhome,youwill,overtime,findthat mirroredbackatyou,andyou’llfeelit wheneveryougothroughyourfrontdoor.”

Marlaina Donato is the author of several books and a composer. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

Feng shui tips from Bridget Saraka: Createdailyritualswithsmall,manageablegoalsthat’llhelpsustainbalance andharmony. Giveeveryoneinthehousehold daily,weeklyandmonthlychorestohelp maintainaclean,healthy,safe,beautiful andcalmhome. Makesurethateachspacehasoptimumlighting,thatalllightbulbswork andwindowtreatmentsareopeneddaily tofilleachroomwithnaturallight. Positionthebedsinthehometo haveaviewofthedoorenteringthe room.Thisiscalledthe“commandposition”,whichinstillsasenseofcontrolover theimmediateenvironment. Practical suggestions from Rachel Anne Ridge: Startwiththefloor.Simplypickupand straightentheitemsthere—shoes,books, papers,coatsandthatstackofitems earmarkedfordonatingthatyousetinthe cornerweeksago.Aclearwalkspacegives youimmediateenergyandasenseoforder. Useatimer.Settingitforfiveminutes(orgivingyourselfjustenoughtime Tips from our experts toletateabagsteepinacup) isperfect motivationtounloadadishwasher,clear thejunkmailfromthecounterorwipe downasink. Reduceindoornoisepollution. Installingfeltbumpersoncabinetdoors anddrawersisatinyactivitythatyields bigresults.Coverthefeetofkitchen chairswithpadsandusefabricplacemats ontables.Throwrugscanalsosoften sounds.UpgradingspeakersforTVsand devicescanimprovesoundqualityand facilitatelowervolumes. Inspiration from Ali English: Oneofmymostfavoriteguidelinesis WilliamMorris’adage,“Keepnothingin yourhomethatyoudonotknowtobe usefulorbelievetobebeautiful.” Neverfeelthatyouare“stuck”with whereyou’veplacedfurnitureanditems. Imovethingsaroundmyhomeona regularbasis,onlyreallysettlingwhen furniturehasfoundtheplacewhereit mergesmostperfectlywiththeoverall energyofaroom. Beginbycreatinga“moodboard” whereyoucollectideasthatinspireyou.