This post may contain affiliate links, including those from Amazon Associates. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Learn more about our affiliate policy.
Life in the city has a unique rhythm, doesn’t it? It pulses with energy, creativity, and opportunity, but it also comes bundled with noise, small spaces, busyness, and endless synthetic distractions.
If you’re anything like me, you might sometimes wonder if you can start living a true holistic lifestyle, like those calm days you see online, requires escaping to some idyllic country cottage.
I’ve felt that longing deeply. I spent years living in small apartments, craving nature and calm, yet feeling stuck and overwhelmed by urban life.
But here’s the truth: You don’t need sprawling acreage or perfect Pinterest homesteads to start living holistically.
Right where you are in your apartment amid the honking horns and fluorescent lights, you can cultivate deep peace, vibrant health, and meaningful connection.
Let’s dive into how you can embrace a truly holistic lifestyle, even in the heart of the city.
Define What Holistic Means for You, Not an Idealized Version
When I began my holistic journey, I found myself quickly overwhelmed by endless advice online.
Everyone had their own opinion about what “holistic” meant. Was it all about yoga and meditation? Organic everything? Essential oils in every room?
The truth is, holistic living isn’t about ticking off boxes from someone else’s checklist. It’s about understanding and nurturing your whole self.
To start, ask yourself these simple questions:
What do I want to feel more of each day? Peace, vitality, clarity?
What aspects of my health and wellbeing currently feel neglected?
What’s one simple action I can take today to support my mind, body, or spirit?
Grab your journal, and let yourself explore these questions gently. This is your journey.
Create an Urban-Friendly Morning and Evening Rhythm
City life can be loud, rushed, and distracting, but your daily rhythms don’t need to match that frantic energy. Your mornings and evenings are powerful bookends to the day, especially when crafted intentionally.
Here’s a simple routine you can try:
Morning:
- Spend five minutes near a window or balcony, letting natural sunlight reset your internal clock.
- Drink a glass of water with lemon to gently wake your digestion.
- Try a minute or two of grounding breathwork: inhale deeply for four counts, hold, exhale for four counts.
- Write a few words in your journal about your intention for the day.
For more ideas, see my post 11 Calming Morning Routines for an Uplifting Day.
Evening:
- Brew a calming tea (like chamomile or lavender).
- Turn down bright overhead lights in favor of a Himalayan salt lamp or candlelight.
- Shut down screens an hour before bed, giving your mind a chance to settle.
- Do a quick body scan, relaxing each muscle group slowly.
These grounding habits are part of what I share in 8 Holistic Bedtime Routines Every Woman Needs for Better Sleep.
Make Simple, Nourishing Food Swaps with What’s Accessible
One common urban struggle is limited kitchen space and often sparse access to farmers’ markets or local organic produce. I remember my tiny city kitchen vividly: barely enough space to prep food, let alone stock a sprawling pantry.
But holistic eating isn’t about perfection, it’s about intention. Here’s how to keep it simple:
- Learn the “dirty dozen” and “clean fifteen” lists to prioritize when to buy organic produce.
- Batch-prep simple whole foods like roasted veggies, quinoa, or soups on Sundays to set yourself up for nourishing meals all week.
- Create a minimalist “capsule pantry” with staples like oats, lentils, quinoa, olive oil, spices, and nuts.
Learn more about being more food self-sufficient in an apartment here.
Detox Your Environment, One Item at a Time
When I started my holistic journey, detoxing my urban apartment felt daunting.
I was surrounded by synthetic everything from plastics, cleaning chemicals, and fragrances. But detoxing isn’t about perfection, and it definitely isn’t about shame. It’s about gently reclaiming your space and wellbeing.
Begin simply:
- Swap just one chemical-based cleaner or beauty product for a natural alternative.
- Introduce a few air-purifying plants (like snake plants or pothos) to naturally cleanse your indoor air.
- Gradually replace plastic containers with glass or stainless steel options.
I introduce a full non-toxic cleaning method in How To Easily Detox Your Home to Live a Clean Lifestyle.
Anchor into Nature, Even Without a Backyard
A big myth of holistic living is that nature connection requires vast open spaces. The reality is, urban dwellers can absolutely benefit from nature’s calming, grounding energy.
Here’s how you can connect in the city:
- Start a small windowsill or vertical herb garden near a sunny window.
- Commit to brief, mindful walks in local green spaces or parks.
- Spend a few minutes barefoot in the grass during your lunch break.
- Bring fresh herbs, flowers, or produce into your kitchen and living spaces.
These practices nurture your nervous system deeply. If you’re craving a deeper reset, explore Creating a Nervous System Reset Day for more nature-based practices you can integrate.
Use Your Space to Create Mini Wellness Rituals
One of the biggest lessons city living taught me is that even the smallest studio apartment can become a sanctuary. All you need is intention.
Here’s how to carve out mini-wellness rituals in your space:
- Create a tea corner: a kettle, your favorite mug, and a jar of loose-leaf tea or herbs. My favorite tea lately is Calm from Anima Mundi Herbals.
- Turn you bathroom into a mini spa with unique epsom salt baths for deep relaxation and self care.
- Set up a cozy meditation nook by a window, just a cushion and a small plant.
- Keep a diffuser and essential oils nearby to scent your space naturally and signal your body to unwind.
This is exactly what I did in my own apartment before moving to a quieter place. There are many other helpful tips in my blog post 7 Simple Ways To Turn Your Small Space Into a Sanctuary.
Release the Pressure to “Get it Right”
One of the most powerful aspects of holistic living is letting go of perfection.
You won’t always eat perfectly, meditate daily, or detox your space overnight, and that’s okay. Holistic living is not about purity; it’s about authenticity and gentle self-care that enriches you.
Celebrate small wins:
- Cooking one nourishing meal.
- Choosing rest over rushing.
- Turning off screens even ten minutes earlier than usual.
Listen to your intuition and let your journey unfold organically.
You Already Have Everything You Need to Begin
Holistic living isn’t reserved for rural escapes. It’s fully within your grasp, right here in your vibrant city life.
Urban holistic living can be rich, meaningful, and deeply healing.
I invite you to pick just one small shift to focus on this week.
Maybe it’s starting your mornings with intention, swapping one pantry item, or simply spending five quiet minutes near plants.
Let it be easy. Let it begin with what’s right in front of you.
