Your email questions lit a spark! After sharing a glimpse of my mindful home workspace, many of you reached out asking how to stay focused, productive, and balanced when working from home. With over 40 years of experience setting up holistic spaces and creating wellness-driven environments, I thought it was time to share everything in one empowering guide.
Why Your Workspace Matters
Working from home isn’t just about having a desk—it’s about creating a sacred space that supports creativity, clarity, and calm. Whether you’re in a hotel room for 6 weeks (as I often am) or a corner of your living room, how you “set the scene” matters. Your space affects your emotions, your productivity, your energy—and your joy.
Top Tips for Working from Home—Holistically and Happily
1. Structure & Routine Are Your Best Friends
Create a schedule and stick to it. Your schedule can also include exercise and mindfulness slots!
Prep the night before as if commuting: plan meals, clear the space, lay out your work clothes.
Dress for work (no pyjamas!) to signal to your brain that it’s “go time.”
At the end of the day, change into leisure clothes to mentally close the office door.
2. Make It Sacred: Personalise Your Space
Surround yourself with meaningful objects—your “desktop buddies”:
Crystals, inspiring quotes, statues, vision boards, aromatherapy diffusers
A mini dream board nearby (just for you!)
Choose items that ground, uplift, inspire and energise you
3. Aromatherapy: Mood-Boosting Scent Rituals
As a clinical aromatherapist, essential oils are at the core of everything I do.
Use a diffuser to scent your workspace with blends that support your mood
Try my signature blends—Rapture, Restore, and Release—designed to uplift, balance, and ease tension
Your olfactory system connects aroma directly to emotion and memory—use it to your advantage.
4. Invite Nature In
Plants and flowers are powerful allies:
They purify air, calm the nervous system, and uplift your environment
Add green energy, or gaze at blooms between tasks to reset your brain
5. Use Mirrors & Light to Expand the Space
Even if you’re in a 3ft x 3ft corner (like I am!), a mirror can create openness.
Position it to reflect nature or light
Use accent lighting for a cozy, spa-like effect
6. Create Boundaries: Physically & Mentally
Use a screen or visual divider to create a sense of “entering” work mode
When you leave, really leave—don’t return until the next day
Clear your desk at night to reduce anxiety and start fresh
Build-In Wellness Breaks
7. Break-Up Slots: Movement, Mindfulness & Magic
Schedule mini meditations, breathwork, short walks, exercise or stretching
Join a Zoom fitness class (I love Barre with Tracy Whitehead & Chi Ball or Pilates with Sandie Keane) Or better still attended a class on your designated lunch break time.
Add in creative joy: cook, dance, or learn a new language
Take a 15-minute language lesson with headphones during your walk!
8. Snack Smarter, Plan Ahead
Keep a tray of healthy snacks and water by your desk
Prep lunch and avoid unnecessary kitchen distractions (unless they are part of your break up designated slots)
9. Treat Yourself: Rituals That Restore
Midday aromatherapy bath? Yes please.
A little luxury can shift your whole energy and boost productivity
10. Inspire the Whole Household
Many of these tips apply to home-schoolers and co-working families
Children can benefit from wellness tools like crystals, oils, visualisation and mindful rituals
My godson carries a crystal I gave him in his pocket and connects with it when he feels anxious—it’s his happy stone!
Final Thoughts: You’re the Director of Your Day
Working from home has its perks. You can:
Use former commute time for meditation or journaling
Work aromatherapy into your lunch hour
Bake a cake, do laundry between meetings, or hop on your bike!
With intention, you can design a workday that nurtures you, supports your goals and leaves you feeling energised—not drained. The key? Plan ahead, personalise your space, and prioritise your wellness
sandie@sandiekeane.com www.sandiekeane.com