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Your retreat space doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive. Simple changes in your
environment can help you reconnect with nature and find moments of peace throughout the day.
1. Incorporate Plant Life
Indoor plants improve air quality and create a calming atmosphere. Try low-maintenance options like pothos, snake plants, or lavender for a soothing effect.
2. Use Natural Aromatherapy
Instead of synthetic candles or incense, use naturally derived essential oils, fresh herbs, or flowers. Lavender, eucalyptus, and citrus scents promote relaxation without harmful
chemicals.
3. Choose Clean & Simple Products
Opt for non-toxic cleaning products, handmade soaps, and eco-friendly household items. Natural ingredients like castile soap, vinegar, and essential oils keep your space fresh without artificial fragrances.
4. Play Relaxation Music
Soft instrumental music, nature sounds, or calming frequencies can transform your space into a retreat. Sounds of rain, ocean waves, or birdsong can help your nervous system reset and unwind.
5. Reduce Technology Use
Too much screen time increases stress and disrupts natural sleep patterns. Try replacing
some of your daily tech use with outdoor activities, journaling, or quiet reflection.
Create a Simple Home Garden
You don’t need a big yard to enjoy the benefits of gardening. A small indoor or balcony
garden can bring nature into your home. Here are some easy ways to start:
Herb Garden
Growing herbs like basil, mint, thyme, or rosemary is simple and practical. They thrive in small pots on a sunny windowsill and can be used fresh in cooking or for making herbal teas.
Leafy Greens & Lettuce
Lettuce, spinach, and kale grow quickly and are easy to maintain. A small raised bed or deep container with good soil is perfect for fresh homegrown greens.
Pretty Plants for Peace
If you want a more decorative touch, try easy-to-care-for plants like lavender (for a soothing scent), pothos (a low-maintenance air purifier), or aloe vera (a healing plant for skin).
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re tending to a garden, creating a peaceful home retreat, or
spending time in nature, the key is to be present. Small, consistent,
accessible moments in nature-infused spaces can improve
mental clarity, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being.
Take a deep breath, touch the earth, and let nature do what it does best---heal.
Stay Rooted,
Shanelle
Shanelle Koroma is a mental health therapist, life/wellness coach, and Co-Founder of the Ujima Retreat Center.
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