In an unprecedented time such as this where it is being mandated we stay at home, the impact that our home environment has on our wellbeing, has been put under the spotlight like never before.
Have you considered your own home environment has an impact on your physical and mental health, and may be creating an extra layer of stress on your family at this difficult time?
Image @dontbeadoormat
Pursuing an improved harmony between you and your home environment can help with range of psychological benefits for reasons that are rooted in science. Factors such as the quality of internal air, the amount of space and light, colours used in the home, layout of spaces, and storage space, all have been found to have measurable impacts on health and wellbeing.
While addressing some of these factors requires greater complexity in terms of investment and design, fortunately, there are some things you can implement now relatively easily, to help reduce your levels of stress and improve sleep quality - something we all need at present to boost our immune system functioning.
Following are five simple suggestions on how you can look to improve some aspects in your home, that have been shown to link to an enhanced sense of wellbeing.
01. Remove the Clutter (& Make your Bed!!)
The organised wardrobe | Image via @shiragill
Marie Kondo and the movement of minimalism are getting a lot of air time at the moment and for good reason. You don’t need to be a ‘clean freak’, but there are clear psychological benefits to be gained from removing clutter around the home such as; increased productivity, better ability to focus, reduced stress levels, and even healthier eating!
Now is a great time to go through those ‘clutter magnet’ areas of your home, putting things away and re-organising into systems that work more effectively. It's amazing how once you start in one area this can ignite a complete overhaul of other closets and cupboards where items are stored and forgotten.
Toy Storage via @stylemepretty
Take the hard line on what can be removed entirely and encourage your kids to get involved in the process by nominating those toys or items that they no longer need or play with. Organise these into boxes ready to donate to your local charity store when these are open and operating again. If you need some assistance there are many online 'organisation' courses now available or consider a consultation with a professional organiser.
If you are finding it difficult to get the motivation to start, one of the most simple ways to gain benefits associated with 'de-cluttering' is by making your bed (daily!). A seemingly simple task, yet one many of us neglect.
Source Image: Oh.Eight.Oh.Nine
Making your bed has been shown to help boost mood through creating a positive state of mind, and has been found to make people more productive, confident (through a sense of accomplishment mentally preparing you to start the day) and lower stress.
When so much is out of our control at the moment, this one simple act is something that can work to give you a small sense of pride and accomplishment which then has a flow-on effect to other areas of your life and may inspire you to get going on those other areas that could do with an organisation overhaul.
02. Improve Air Quality in the Home
Openable skylights let in air and sunlight
Image Source Unknown, via Pinterest
Studies have shown that poor indoor air quality is linked to headaches, tiredness, lethargy, and to more severe effects including aggravation of allergies and asthma. Improving ventilation in the home can help reduce the build-up of air pollutants that accumulate over time indoors.
While you may not own an air-purifier, there are simple ways ventilation can be improved. Open windows, even just a small amount, to let air flow in regularly (provided you live in an area where outdoor air quality is reasonable). Reduce air moisture by ensuring when you shower a window is open and, where clothes are dried indoors place them near an open window to allow moisture to escape. Always use the overhead exhaust when cooking to help extract toxins emitted through cooking.
Removing shoes when entering the home so as not to bring toxins from the soles inside, and regularly vacuuming rugs and floor surfaces to remove dust particles also plays a role.
03. Optimise the Use of Light in Your Home to Support your Internal Body Clock
A cosy lamp lit corner makes for a calming space
to wind down before bed | Image via Marset, Pinterest
The colour and intensity of light you experience in your home has a profound impact on your body’s circadian rhythm (the scientific name for your body’s 24hr internal clock or sleep/wake cycle).
Our bodies are naturally in tune with light levels and characteristics, so try and optimise the use of natural daylight where possible, and where electric lighting is used supplementary, consider the colour and brightness levels of the lighting you are using.
For example, harsh bright cool blue lights in the evening before bedtime are highly disruptive to our body clock as they mimic the light we would experience in the middle of the day if outside in the natural environment.
If you have down lights in your home consider dimming them or turning them off in the evenings and using supplementary lamp lighting (with warm globes installed) instead. This helps prepare you and your family’s bodies for a more restful sleep by signalling to the brain it is wind down time.
04. Connect to Nature Indoors
A calming space that feels intrinsically connected with nature,
through the use of colour, natural materials and light.
Image via @_forthehome
In recent years the concept of ‘Biophilic Design’ has been brought to the forefront and essentially involves creating internal environments that provide a connection for occupants to the natural environment. The main benefits this has been scientifically documented to provide include lower blood pressure and heart rate and thereby reduce stress.
Tweak your space in line with biophilic principles to make your space more calming and restorative. For example, make the most of any outside vistas by setting up your home workspace in a spot that allows for views of the outside natural environment.
Image Source Unknown, Pinterest
Incorporating indoor houseplants will not only help purify the air but promote a peaceful atmosphere – allowing you to connect yourself with nature on a daily basis. Even something as simple as growing herbs on a window sill can help infuse natural aspects into the interior of your home.
Display natural and organic shaped materials where you can see them, for example, if you have some wooden chopping boards stowed away in your kitchen cupboards, could they be arranged against the splashback to add a touch of natural texture and warmth?
Featuring natural elements, colours and shapes all assist in supporting a human to nature connection which in turn has been shown to reduce blood pressure, heart rate, and ultimately, stress.
05. Elevate those Elements that “Spark Joy”
Family Gallery Wall | Source: EH Design
Finally, don’t forget the ‘soft’ factors in your home that are somewhat non-measurable but important. Things that make you suddenly feel better in spirit whenever you glimpse them or feel them, or in Marie Kondo’s words those things that “Spark Joy”.
In an era where “insta-worthy” spaces and homes are plastered everywhere, it seems to be the norm that items personalised to you and your family, are often hidden away. Sadly, people now often feel the need to design their homes for other people, rather than for themselves - the ones who ultimately live in and experience the space daily.
Kids Playroom Art wall celebrating creativity | Source: Inhabitat Interiors
Make sure these small but important aspects that help to make your home yours are elevated and celebrated in your space; a family gallery wall of your favourite memories and moments, brightly coloured kids art project – perfectly imperfect but made for you with a whole lot of love, a colourful artwork or print you love that gives you a quiver of happiness whenever you cast your eyes over it, a beautiful piece of timber furniture you find you can’t but help touch, or maybe a collection of objects personal to you that you have curated over time.
Are there any objects around your home that could be rearranged or brought out from hiding that give you a little happiness ‘boost’?
Family feels via @amyrushbrookphoto
In summary, while we are living in an unsettling time when so much is out of our control, evaluating the various areas of our home environment and actioning some of the above can help to better support our mental and physical state. This in turn, will likely result in our home becoming an improved ‘sanctuary’ to better support us and our family’s behaviours and wellbeing, providing us with further opportunities to restore & recover, uplift the spirit, and make us feel happy!
If you are interested in discovering more about how your home environment can be optimised to support your lifestyle and wellbeing you can book an online consult with me here.
Stay Safe,
Katrina x
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