Make Your Yard a Relaxing Oasis by Adding an Outdoor Wellness Space

2023-02-23
Make Your Yard a Relaxing Oasis by Adding an Outdoor Wellness Space

Wellness has become a priority for many of us over the last several years. With that has come an emphasis on harnessing the power of nature to foster wellbeing.

“For many, there has been a newfound joy in spaces like botanical gardens, outdoor fitness classes, and outdoor social events, which have often been prioritized over indoor events in recent years,” California-based interior designer Sarah Barnard says, adding, “Many of us have been engaging in our outdoor spaces more and realizing how vital devoting time to being outside can be.”

  • Sarah Barnard is a LEED-accredited interior designer with a focus on sustainable spaces and environments that promote wellbeing.
  • Allison Messner is the co-founder and CEO of Yardzen, an online landscaping design platform.

It’s not surprising, then, that homeowners have begun to design their homes—inside and out—around this philosophy, too.

“[People] want to create beautiful spaces that not only encourage more time spent outside year-round—tapping the related health benefits of simply being outdoors—but include dedicated wellness elements like saunas, heated and cold plunge pools, meditation gardens, and yoga platforms, among other things,” says Allison Messner, co-founder and CEO of Yardzen.

The outdoor wellness space trend is one Messner expects to continue booming in the coming years as many continue to work from home and as more millennials become homebuyers.

“[Millennials] come from a generation that’s always had constant connectivity. There’s an increasing desire to find ways to have a digital detox, and it makes perfect sense that they’re looking to achieve this in their own outdoor spaces,” she explains.

Ready to create an outdoor wellness space for yourself? We’ve gathered some fresh ideas to inspire you on your landscape design journey.

Plunge Pools

These petite pools (typically ranging from just eight to 12 feet wide) allow homeowners with almost any size yard to take a dip. Heated plunge pools can be used for relaxation or for water aerobic workouts, or, alternatively, non-heated plunge pools can be used for cold water therapy. Plus, not only do plunge pools use less water than traditional backyard pools do, they’re also much less expensive and easier to install.

“There are a lot more prefabricated options out there now for things like precast above-ground plunge pools that make availability and installation more appealing,” Messner says.

Yoga Platforms

Marrying the benefits of yoga (like stress management, for one) with the benefits of time outdoors? It’s a truly revitalizing combination. Essentially, a yoga platform is a small, low wood deck that’s at least slightly larger than the standard yoga mat (24 by 69 inches) that you can place in your yard or garden long-term. Typical yoga platform materials include cedar or ipe wood, as they’re both durable, long-lasting, and rot-resistant, plus they’ll feel grounding and luxurious underfoot. Creating a yoga platform in your backyard is so simple that with the right tools you can make it a weekend DIY project, or if you’re all about relaxation you can, of course, outsource to a contractor.

Outdoor Saunas

Infrared and electric saunas allow you to take a breather while also enjoying mood, joint, circulation, and blood pressure improvements. Now pair those perks with some solid time spent in nature, and you’ve got a winning combo. These days, many cedar saunas are intended to be placed outdoors and have glass doors that allow you to enjoy a scenic setting while you sweat. Many homeowners also include other wellness elements near their sauna, like an outdoor bathtub, shower or daybed, for maximum relaxation.

Meditation Gardens

Rock, sculpture, and botanical gardens not only beautify your backyard, but also make for spectacular spaces for unwinding with a seated, standing, or walking meditation practice.

“Landscaping that emphasizes areas of seclusion, or the sensation of being deep in and surrounded by nature, can create regenerative spaces for finding solace,” Barnard says.

She suggests filling your meditation garden with local flora and fauna that support native pollinators, as well as water sources like a small pond or birdbath. That way wildlife can also enjoy your new meditation zone—which in turn, helps you, too. 

“Meditating to birdsong or soaking in an outdoor spa while watching butterflies and hearing the hum of bees can create an incredibly grounding and relaxing experience,” Barnard says.

Sources
Better Homes & Gardens is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources—including peer-reviewed studies—to support the facts in our articles. Read about our editorial policies and standards to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy.
  1. "The wellness benefits of the great outdoors." US Forest Service.

  2. "Yoga – benefits beyond the mat." Harvard Health.

  3. "Evaluating ipe (Tabebuia, Bignoniaceae) logging in Amazonia: sustainable management or catalyst for forest degradation." Forest Service

  4. Laukkanen JA et al. "Cardiovascular and Other Health Benefits of Sauna Bathing: a Review of the Evidence." Mayo Clinic Proceedings. vol. 93, no. 8, 2018, pp. 1111-1121. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2018.04.008

Related Article

How to Plant and Grow Coleus Plants for Their Gorgeous Leaves

How to Plant and Grow Coleus Plants for Their Gorgeous Leaves

These coleus plant care tips will give you plenty of stunning foliage to enjoy in both sun or shade.
How and When to Cut Back Mums for the Best Blooms

How and When to Cut Back Mums for the Best Blooms

Use these tips to pinch and cut back mums at the right times to get the most flowers.
Are Pansies Perennials That Will Come Back After Winter?

Are Pansies Perennials That Will Come Back After Winter?

Grow pansies as perennials or annuals to provide color during cool spring and fall weather. Plus get tips on when to plant pansies and how to grow them from seed.
How to Plant and Grow Cup Plant

How to Plant and Grow Cup Plant

Follow this easy guide to plant and grow cup plant, a tall North American native perennial that attracts birds and pollinators.
How to Plant and Grow Milkweed

How to Plant and Grow Milkweed

The main food source for monarch butterfly caterpillars, milkweed also attracts lots of other pollinators. Learn how to grow this pretty native plant, deal with pests, choose the best types of milkweed, and what companion plants to grow with it.
How to Plant and Grow Bush Honeysuckle

How to Plant and Grow Bush Honeysuckle

Also called diervilla, bush honeysuckle is an easy-care native shrub that attracts pollinators with cheerful yellow flowers.
How to Plant and Grow Florida Anise

How to Plant and Grow Florida Anise

Florida anise is a Southeastern native shrub that is gaining popularity for good reason; it’s an easy-to-grow, shade-loving shrub with year-round garden interest.
10 Stunning Types of Magnolia Trees and Shrubs for Your Landscape

10 Stunning Types of Magnolia Trees and Shrubs for Your Landscape

There is a type of magnolia tree or shrub for every landscape. Use this guide to choose the best magnolia for your garden.
How to Plant and Grow Cranberry Hibiscus

How to Plant and Grow Cranberry Hibiscus

The burgundy foliage of cranberry hibiscus is welcome in areas with full sun and plenty of heat. This guide includes planting and care tips to grow cranberry hibiscus in your garden.
Expert Tips for Growing and Designing With Beautiful Boxwood

Expert Tips for Growing and Designing With Beautiful Boxwood

With our boxwood garden ideas, you'll create durable changes to your landscaping. Boxwoods, a type of evergreen, are an elegant addition to a formal garden. Learn how to care for boxwood, so that your boxwood garden thrives.
19 Rabbit and Deer-Resistant Container Plants for Your Garden

19 Rabbit and Deer-Resistant Container Plants for Your Garden

These rabbit and deer-resistant container plants don’t usually attract furry four-legged creatures for a snack or meal.
How to Harvest Mint, Dry Mint, and Store Mint

How to Harvest Mint, Dry Mint, and Store Mint

Learn how to harvest mint to keep plants more manageable and gather fresh mint leaves for cooking, drying, and storing!
How and When to Harvest Peas at Their Peak

How and When to Harvest Peas at Their Peak

How and when to harvest peas depends on the type. Find out how to time your harvest right for each type of pea, and get tips for plucking pods without damaging the plant.
Is Your Outdoor Plant Dead or Dormant? 5 Easy Ways to Tell

Is Your Outdoor Plant Dead or Dormant? 5 Easy Ways to Tell

Not sure if a garden plant is dead or dormant after the winter? These tips well help you tell the difference.
Liquid vs. Granular Fertilizer: Which One Is Better for Your Plants?

Liquid vs. Granular Fertilizer: Which One Is Better for Your Plants?

Take the mystery out of feeding your plants by learning the pros and cons of liquid vs. granular fertilizer. Find out how and when to best apply both types of fertilizers.
How to Prevent Powdery Mildew on Squash Plants for a Healthy Crop

How to Prevent Powdery Mildew on Squash Plants for a Healthy Crop

Learn what you can do to protect powdery mildew on squash plants and stop an infection before it gets out of hand.
How to Get Rid of Weeds in Flower Beds—and Stave Off New Ones

How to Get Rid of Weeds in Flower Beds—and Stave Off New Ones

Unwanted plants among your treasured blooms can ruin the whole effect. But with the right tools and techniques, you can eliminate the invaders.
4 Grass Alternatives for Yards with Major Curb Appeal

4 Grass Alternatives for Yards with Major Curb Appeal

Gravel, artificial turf, groundcover plants, and large planting beds are traditional grass lawn alternatives. Pick one for your yard from our list.
How to Use a Weed Whacker to Fly Through Your Landscaping Chores

How to Use a Weed Whacker to Fly Through Your Landscaping Chores

This guide will help you use a weed whacker efficiently and safely to accomplish weed removal, edging, trimming, and other landscaping tasks
How to Plant and Grow Horsetail

How to Plant and Grow Horsetail

Horsetail is a water-loving plant that looks stunning almost anywhere—as long as you take measures to control it.