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I’m not a huge fan of celebrating Valentine’s Day, but after the last couple of months of turmoil, I think this day could be a reminder of the importance of self-care that each of us deserves. To embrace this, I’m giving you a couple of body & soul-soothing gift ideas for yourself and your loved ones that even outlast Valentine’s Day.
TAKE A WALK IN NATURE
If there is only one thing you could do for yourself for Valentine’s Day, go for a walk in the woods or park. It may be as short as half an hour, but its effect (here and here) on your well-being is beyond price.
GET A NEW HOUSEPLANT
In my opinion, there is no such thing as too many houseplants. They absorb carbon dioxide, and with proper care and attention, can last forever. There is no better gift for you and your loved ones than the gift of clean and healthy air in your home.
Learn more about long-lasting plant decor here.
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ELEVATE YOUR SPACE WITH FRESH-CUT & PRESERVED FLOWERS
Fresh-cut flowers might be the first thing when you think of Valentine’s Day gift (either for yourself or someone else). And while having cut-flowers in your home brings outdoor’s scent inside, they don’t last long. If you want to enjoy their beauty longer, go for dried flower arrangements. You can rearrange them over time, so they always reflect the mood of the actual season.
Plants and flowers (fresh or dried) help us visually reconnect with nature, which can have similar benefits as actually being in nature.
Learn more how to decorate with preserved flowers here.
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LIT CANDLES
Candlelight, having the warm coloured accent light, enhances the feeling of a nested, secure, and inviting space and suggests that it’s time to unwind. Scented candles may also evoke natural fragrances and, this way, have a positive impact on healing processes, help us relax or even get energized.
However, you should know that burning candles releases toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into our air, and some candles are more harmful than others. Always prefer candles that are organic and eco-friendly with cotton or wood wicks made from natural vegetable ingredients like coconut wax, rapeseed wax, beeswax or soy wax.
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STIMULATE YOUR SENSES WITH ESSENTIAL OILS
As an alternative to scented candles, you can evaporate essential oils into our space with an oil diffuser. The nature-mimicking scents stimulate our senses, however, similar to candles, there are some downsides to using essential oils.
Even though the essential oils are made of natural components, the manufacturing is not quite sustainable; to produce a small bottle of essential oils requires processing thousands of pounds of plant material.
The odours emitted by essential oils also contain harmful VOCs that affect the indoor air quality.
Both candles and essential oils have their benefits but considering that they may pose a risk to our health and environment, use them in moderation.
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Sources:
The Theory of Biophilic Design by Stephen R. Kellert
Is Burning Candles Safe or Bad for Your Health? in Healthline
The Ultimate Guide to Eco-Friendly and Toxic-Free Candles in Make it last
Essential Oils are NOT Essential in Indoor Science
Are Essential Oils Sustainable? in Evergreen Steps
Biophilic Moodboards: Designing Interiors for All 5 Senses in DforDesign
