Most of us would probably agree that once we enter motherhood, the “décor” of our home significantly changes.

Once upon a time, there were multiple areas we could use to relax and unwind, but now it seems that every inch belongs to someone else. Having a sacred and dedicated self-care space may sound unrealistic, but it doesn’t have to be. Busy mums especially need self-care, and having an intentional area significantly helps with healing, chakra balancing, and relaxation.

Here are five tips to create a perfectly sacred self-care space in your home.

When you picture a day spa or wellness centre, you probably think of ambient lighting and inviting textiles. Sprucing up your space with plush cushions and charming candles instantly prepares you to relax and unwind.

Dimming or extinguishing the main lights creates a sense of serenity and peaceful ambience, while limiting the technology in the room helps you to feel grounded. Decorative plants can also make the area more inviting whilst instilling a sense of calm. Soft blankets or a rug can provide sensory input that calms your nervous system and instills some inner peace.

There’s an overwhelming amount of research into the health benefits of particular sounds. Most of us have a library of songs for all occasions and all emotions, and we use this as a tool to control how we feel.

When it comes to essential items for a mum’s self-care space, the right soundtrack is a must. Brown noise, white noise, binaural beats, nature sounds, and solfeggio frequency all have a significant influence on our ability to relax and unwind. All you need is a speaker (this could be headphones or a Bluetooth speaker), a connected device, and the internet. Spotify and YouTube give you access to all the sounds you could possibly need, and at little to no cost.

Aromatherapy can be a cornerstone in holistic wellness. Nature offers us an abundant library of scents, and each one serves a different purpose. Adding intentional scent to your self-care space can help you achieve your self-care goals. Lavender is known to reduce stress, while eucalyptus or menthol can help knock a cold on its head. Lemongrass reduces inflammation and peppermint aids digestion.

Whether it’s burning essential oils or simply lighting a deliciously aromatic candle, adding a scent to your self-care space creates a home sanctuary for holistic wellness and good mental health.

Our kids (and yes sometimes our partners) can often struggle to respect our personal boundaries. Mums of little ones dream of visiting the bathroom alone, while mums of teenagers may find their makeup raided or their favourite necklace missing.

Consciously excluding others from your self-care space has a profound impact on how well the space helps you. Often, what mums need most, is simply the opportunity to be alone. A space that’s free from whining and arguments allows you to truly let go, repair, refuel, and indulge in your me-time.

Crystals have intense healing powers which is why they’re often used in Crystal Reiki healing. Adding crystals to your mum-only-self-care-space not only makes it more aesthetically pleasing, but also enhances the healing powers available. You can leave the crystals on display, hold them in your hands, or place them on each chakra point on your body.

To achieve maximum chakra alignment, be intentional with the crystals you use and where you place them. Hematite or Red Jasper help to align the Root chakra while Carnelian or Aragonite are used for the Sacral chakra. The Solar Plexus chakra responds to Amber and Citrine and the Heart chakra likes Rose Quartz and Rhodonite. The Throat chakra connects well with Aquamarine and Blue Lace Agate. The Third Eye chakra aligns with Lapis Lazuli or Sodalite and the Crown chakra likes Amethyst or Selenite. Understanding how individual crystals work means you can use them to target specific problem areas and create peace and harmony within yourself.