Earth, Water, Fire, Air

I am in the process of decorating my living room. During this process, I have sat down and thought about ways that I have decorated in the past that I have really enjoyed. My favorite living room was in this old apartment building from the early 1900's. I had a corner apartment in the basement. This apartment could have gone gloomy really fast but with its high ceilings, plenty of windows, and my elemental decor, it was quite welcoming. I love introducing the four elements into a room. It brings harmony and calm to any room of your home. Here are some simple ideas on how you can bring each of the elements to your rooms and how they can help with anxiety and depression.

Earth

Don't be afraid to have live plants in any room of your home. Have a beautiful ivy or small potted tree in your living room. Place a pot of jasmine or lavender in your bedroom to help with sleep. Put a little bamboo plant or succulent in the bathroom. Have small herb pots in the window sill of your kitchen. Plants eat carbon dioxide and release oxygen. The tasks of watering and maintaining and grooming indoor plants can be calming in its repetitions. Also, the greenery and flowers can be very pleasing to the eye which can also reduce anxiety and depression.

Water

I love the sound of a babbling brook. Obviously I can't have a brook flowing through my home so I go with the next best thing, indoor water fountains. These can be found for as little as $5 at your local dollar store, but they are priceless for having the sounds of a waterfall. Water fountains can be placed in any room of your house and can be as big or as small as you want them to be. The water sound is the perfect white noise and has been proven to reduce anxiety.

Fire

I love candles. I am a candleaholic. I love candles in every room of my house. I change scents of candles out with the seasons. I will also light certain candles, depending on my anxiety levels, that may help my anxiety levels, such as lavender and jasmine. The flickering glow can be very calming and relaxing and can even help with bringing one into a relaxed state for breathing exercises and guided meditation. Candles should always be used under supervision. If you have a fire anxiety, there are electronic candles that give off the same flickering glow and some even have scents. Sometimes I like the glow and smells of my Scentsy warmer and it will substitute for a candle as well. 

Air

Nothing says air in a home like opening the windows. Fresh air is necessary. We need the fresh air and sun to thrive. Darkness breeds depression and anxiety. Sunshine and breeze gives us vitamins and energy. If you can't or don't want to open the windows, at least open the curtains or blinds for a while each day and let some light in your home. A little light each day can help battle the darkness.

These are all my opinions. I feel that introducing all of these elements into as many rooms of your home as possible can really have benefits to your mental health. I did research some on the benefits of each element and it seems that there is quite a bit of information that also agrees with me. I need to get some plants for my home and then I think I'll be set. Please feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below. Please subscribe to my blog and leave me a +1 if you enjoyed this.

Happy New Year!!

Good Morning 2017!! It's a brand new year and time for new beginnings. The past few years, I have not made any resolutions because I know I'm a hypocrite, and the odds of me sticking to my resolutions are slim. This year I'm determined to make a change. I am going to make some resolutions and I am going to hold myself accountable for sticking to them. I have got to make some changes. I can't just lay here and wait to die. I can't do that to my kids and to the others who love me. I'm worth more than that and so are they. So here it is, my resolutions for 2017.

1.  I will stick to my blog. And try to find out more about myself in the process.
2.  I will go gluten free. I have to. My body is demanding it.
3.  I will go to a doctor about my medical issues and begin getting them taken care of.
4.  I will start my days off with positive affirmations.
5.  I will obtain an income.
6.  I will cut out potato chips and soda pop.
7.  I will exercise more and lose weight. 2 pant sizes down at least this year.
8.  I will go see my daddy at least once.
9.  I will make greater attempts to see my sons.
10. I will paint more and sell some of my paintings
11. I will begin saving money to move to Spokane.
12. I will do more to show my boyfriend that I appreciate everything he does for me
13. I will not beat myself up so much.
14. I will put more effort into my appearance.
15. I will have a wonderful 2017!

I'm sure I will think of other things later that I failed to put into here but this seems like a pretty good starting point. 2017 is going to be a great year and I'm ready to start it off grand. I've recently heard that positivity attracts positivity so I'm going to be as positive as I can. Let's do this 2017!!