Meet Valeria Lee, President,
The Golden LEAF Foundation

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Decorate with items that are simple, natural, and real. An inexpensive houseplant not only brings life to an empty corner; it also cleanses the air of toxins. In the 1970s NASA researchers needed to find ways to cleanse the air in the Skylab III of hazardous fumes from space-age materials used to build the space station. They discovered that plants give off compounds called phytochemicals that suppress mold spores and bacteria in the air. In addition, they absorb toxic chemicals and break them down into compounds that plants can then re-absorb as food or draw into the soil where they’re rendered harmless by bacteria. Some of the best air cleansers include Boston ferns, peace lilies, corn plants, rubber plants, spider plants, golden pothos, and bamboo palms.

Declutter your house. It’s the most commonly touted cure, but often the most difficult to achieve! Start with one room (preferably the one you enter first when you come home each day) and gradually move throughout the house. Don’t worry about the kids’ rooms…just close the door! Give each member of your family a laundry basket and insist that they collect their own items from around the house each night. Clear your own clutter, as well. Take a “ruthless pill,” as my friend says! Throw away, sell, or donate anything you don’t love. If you can’t get rid of that pile of magazines, put it in a decorative box with a lid. Be creative…try ottomans with lids that lift (and double as seating), or go to the flea market instead of the office supply store to find neat storage boxes. Look for whimsy or beauty, and be creative about the function of the piece.

Use color to lift your spirits. My house is primarily white; I chose one wall to paint in a pale jade green to match my large, laughing Buddha. I then lit the corner with an oriental lantern, and the room came to life! No matter what your style, don’t be afraid to use color. Even if you like neutrals, choose a rich tan or taupe. You’ll be amazed at the depth and character it brings to a room. If you’re looking for relaxation rather than energy, stick with monochromatic rooms (various shades of a single color you choose, for example, warm tan walls with ivory sheers and chocolate brown throw pillows). The less contrast you have, the more soothing the space will be.

The sound of a television is one of the least comforting elements in our homes. It’s not easy, but with a little training, I promise that you can limit your children’s television viewing. Get your own news updates on NPR during your morning commute, then come home to the sound of quiet background music, a trickling fountain, or CDs of nature (particularly if you live in the city and miss out on the real thing!). I have a favorite CD that I listen to at a very low volume while going to sleep each night. I take it with me when I travel or have a stressful day ahead. My body is so well trained to relax to this music that my heart rate immediately slows and my mind stops racing!

One of my favorite smells is that of bread baking. Pumpkin pie is a pretty good one, too. I even love the smell of Ivory soap! (It brings back memories of my childhood, when my father taught me to carve with his pocketknife and a bar of ivory soap.) Aromas create very powerful physical and emotional responses, and can be one of the easiest ways to inspire relaxation. If you love your morning coffee, buy a special blend and put it in a coffee pot with a timer set for 15 minutes before you normally wake. I’m not a coffee drinker, but I do love to use essential oils in clay rings that sit on the light bulbs in my lamps. For energy, I choose citrus, eucalyptus, or mint oils. For relaxation, the aromas of chamomile, lavender fields, or wooded paths lined with honeysuckle are magical.

I don’t want to overlook one of my favorite senses! While taste may not directly affect your first response when you walk through the door, it can still have a large impact on your sense of well-being. Try buying organic foods when they are in season (at surprisingly small price differences), and you’ll not only be eating foods with more intense flavors, but you’ll be feeding your body more vitamins and fewer chemicals. When your health improves over time, so will your well being. In addition, you can decorate with these foods. Colorful oranges and apples in bowls add to your décor and provide the temptation to munch on these healthy snacks rather than the cookies in the cupboard!

Items that have “visual texture” provide both comfort and interest. Sea grass, shells, beach glass, rough-hewn wood…all are evocative of nature and can be reminiscent of special times in our lives. Also use luxurious fabrics that invite you to relax: plush towels; 100% cotton, silk, or linen sheets that breathe (synthetics don’t breathe well, making for a damp, clammy sleep on these hot summer nights!); a chenille chair or chaise that you can sink into at the end of the day; even pillows or blankets of cashmere, fleece; and faux fur!