Your home is the one place where you can retreat after a long, busy day and be completely yourself. It’s somewhere you don’t have to hide who you are, and where you won’t be judged.
Whether you share it with your family or you have a place all to yourself, look around and ask yourself if it truly makes you happy. Is this the place where you can finally take a deep breath and relax, ignoring the outside world and resetting your body and mind for the next day? If not, it’s time to make a change– and quickly.
What many homeowners don’t realize, is just how much their design choices affect their mental wellbeing. Have you ever wondered why, whenever you sit in your living room, you can’t find a moment of peace? Perhaps your kitchen makes you want to order food in or dine out. Struggling to maintain calm amongst the chaos can only contribute to poor wellbeing, so it’s in your best interests to follow these ways to transform your home and, in turn, your mood.
Natural Light
Some homes are dark and gloomy, where natural light struggles to find its way inside; others bathe in glorious sunshine all day. Which of these options sounds more inviting? Welcoming as much natural light into your home won’t only enhance your décor, after all, your bright blue couch will shine in the daylight, but it will also boost your mood. How? Sunlight directly affects our brain’s chemicals, and the chemical which is especially focused on mood: serotonin. People with high levels of serotonin report happier moods and a higher feeling of calmness, in contrast to those with lower levels which may report signs of depression and anxiety.
Optimizing your rooms to invite as much sunlight in as possible is key to boosting your mood. However, it doesn’t have to be a drastic change, such as ripping out your current windows to make space for larger, brighter ones. Instead, it can be as easy as switching heavy, dark color drapes for lighter blinds or even cool wooden shutters.
Outside Space
Natural light is known to boost your mood, but there’s also a reason why ecotherapy is so popular. Embracing nature and the great outdoors have been proven to reduce anxiety, symptoms of depression, as well as promote an overall feeling of calmness and peace. Those who spend hours outside, whether that’s in their garden tending to their flowers or hiking in the wildness, find pleasure and solitude which they may not have found anywhere else.
If you have an outside space, you may not realize how the design here can improve how you feel mentally and physically. Therefore, it’s important to utilize it to truly feel the benefit of ecotherapy while you’re at home. One option is to create the perfect socializing space; somewhere you can spend with friends and family, catching up and enjoying fine food. It may require a renovation of the area, however, to achieve the ideal space. You could connect decking to your patio and add comfy chairs, along with mood lighting and an outdoor fan. Lights Online can provide you with the ideal outdoor ceiling fans for the space you are transforming, whether that’s your patio or even your front porch. These key elements can enhance your experience of being outside with your nearest and dearest, ensuring you can stay comfortable and cool when the sun is shining and don’t have to retreat inside once the sun sets.
Your ‘Haven’
If there’s one single room you should focus on to boost your mood at home, it’s your bedroom. This is the room where you want to truly relax and feel at ease, not somewhere you can’t wait to leave every morning and dread returning to each night. Unfortunately for those who are partial to strong colors, these will not help you drift off peacefully at night. The psychology of color believes that certain colors and shade will determine a person’s mood. For example, yellow is the brightest color and may remind you of sunshine and happiness. However, it’s also the color of high energy, which does not promote rest and relaxation.
In your bedroom, it’s best to opt for a calmer, neutral color scheme, such as soft gray, cream and light blue. To truly boost your mood, add luxurious elements such as soft cashmere cushions and cable knit throws. What better way to relax after a long day than snuggling under cozy accessories?
Not only can the design ensure you have a restful night’s sleep, but practicing good ‘sleep hygiene’ is also crucial. Sleep hygiene is a variety of habits to adopt which should (hopefully!) promote healthy slumber. The key steps include:
- Reducing caffeine and alcohol consumption: These addictive chemicals are stimulants, and will certainly keep you awake.
- Creating the ideal environment: This means cutting back on the use of your smartphone and tablet devices in bed. The blue light emitted mimicks daylight in our brains, making it harder to fall asleep.
- Have a soothing pre-bed ritual: Some people believe reading before bed helps them fall asleep quickly; others soak in the bathtub. Whatever works for you, ensure you do it every night to truly feel the benefit.
- Keep to a schedule: While it may be tempting to stay up later when you don’t have plans the next morning, keeping to a schedule will reset your body clock, meaning it will start to feel tired when you need to go to bed every night.
Small Space? No Worries!
While the design you choose in your home can contribute to your mood, perhaps it isn’t the only issue which causes you to feel restless and unhappy at home. The space available in your home may cause you to feel suffocated, especially if you’re surrounded by an endless amount of items, from old magazines to clothes you haven’t worn in years. To truly create a relaxing home, it’s time to say goodbye to the worries of your space not being big enough. There is a variety of techniques to use, which will maximize your space, including clever storage solutions and de-cluttering. The best tip is to work with what you’ve got. If you have space under the stairs which is currently somewhere you throw shoes and coats at the end of the day, why not transform it into a cool space, where every item has its own tidy place?
Your home is the place where you can escape the anxiety and stresses of daily modern life. It’s somewhere you can enjoy the company of your loved ones, without worrying it’s a stifling environment. The design you incorporate into your home, be it more daylight or creating the perfect outdoor space, is one which will boost your mood and make your home truly a haven.
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