Dr. Maymunah Yusuf Kadiri 
If your life were a song, your home would be the instrument that shapes its sound. When the strings are out of tune, even the most beautiful melody can feel jarring. In the same way, your surroundings affect your mood, your energy, and even your physical health more than you may realise.
A holistic home is not about expensive furniture or trendy decor. It’s about intentionally shaping your living space, so it feeds your mind, lifts your spirit, and supports your body’s wellbeing. It’s about turning the place you return to every day into a sanctuary, not a stress factory.
Why Your Home Affects Your Health
Psychologists have long known that our physical environment influences our emotional state. Cluttered rooms can create mental chaos, dim lighting can lower mood, and noisy surroundings can increase stress hormones. On the other hand, spaces that feel open, clean, and harmonious promote calm, focus, and creativity.
A study from Princeton University found that physical clutter competes for your attention, reducing focus and increasing anxiety. This is especially important in Nigeria’s bustling cities, where life outside the door is often loud, fast, and chaotic. Your home should be the opposite, a counterbalance, not an extension of the stress.
The Three Pillars of a Holistic Home
1. Calm – Spaces that soothe the nervous system and encourage rest.
2. Creativity – Environments that spark inspiration and problem-solving.
3. Health – Designs and habits that support physical and mental wellbeing.
1. Creating Calm
Calm begins with decluttering. You don’t have to live like a minimalist monk, but every item in your home should have a purpose or bring you joy. The fewer unnecessary items, the less your mind must process visually.
Soft lighting like warm-toned bulbs or natural daylight can help regulate mood and sleep cycles. In Nigeria’s tropical climate, adding greenery indoors through potted plants like peace lilies or snake plants not only calms the eye but also purifies the air.
Your bedroom should be a device-free zone where the day’s noise stops at the door. Soft fabrics, clean sheets, and gentle scents like lavender can signal to your body that it’s time to rest.
2. Sparking Creativity
If calm is about clearing mental space, creativity is about filling it with inspiration.
Set up a corner of your home dedicated to activities that spark joy—reading, painting, journaling, or even strategic thinking for your business. Keep tools and materials for your hobby within easy reach, so creativity isn’t delayed by searching for supplies.
Surround yourself with art, photographs, or colours that energise you. Studies show that certain colours like green for balance or yellow for optimism can subtly influence mood and creativity.
3. Supporting Health
Holistic health in the home goes beyond just what you eat—it includes what you breathe, touch, and see daily.
• Air Quality: Open windows regularly to let in fresh air and reduce indoor pollutants.
• Natural Light: Exposure to daylight regulates circadian rhythms, boosting mood and energy.
• Movement Spaces: Even small homes can make room for physical activity—yoga mats, resistance bands, or a space for stretching.
In Nigerian households where cooking is central, ensure kitchens are well-ventilated to reduce smoke and fumes.
Cultural Roots of Holistic Living
Our ancestors understood the power of intentional spaces. Yoruba compounds were built around a central courtyard, promoting airflow, sunlight, and community connection. Northern mud houses were designed to stay cool in extreme heat. These principles balance with nature, intentional design, and functionality are timeless and still relevant today.
Practical Steps to Start Your Holistic Home Journey
1. Declutter One Room at a Time – Start small to avoid overwhelm.
2. Let Nature In – Plants, sunlight, fresh air.
3. Designate a “Quiet Zone” – A space where you can read, meditate, or simply breathe.
4. Choose Colours Mindfully – Use calming or energizing tones depending on the room’s purpose.
5. Add Personal Touches – Items that tell your story and make you smile.
Your home should not just store your belongings, it should restore your being. In a world that demands so much of your attention and energy, a holistic home gives you back what life takes away.
By creating spaces that calm your mind, spark your imagination, and support your health, you turn your home into more than four walls, it becomes the most powerful tool in your self-care arsenal.
Because at the end of every day, the world will knock at your door. The question is: when you step inside, will your home heal you or drain you? The choice is yours.
Dr. MAYMUNAH YUSUF KADIRI (aka DR. MAY) popularly referred to as “The Celebrity Shrink,” is a multiple award winning Mental Health Physician, Advocate & Coach. She is the convener of “The Mental Health Conference” and the Medical Director and Psychiatrist-In-Chief at Pinnacle Medical Services, Dr. Kadiri is a dynamic Consultant Neuro-Psychiatrist and a Fellow of the National Post Graduate Medical College of Nigeria (FMCPsych) with almost 20 years’ experience as a practicing Physician.