BOOST YOUR WELLBEING AT HOME

HOW TO BOOST YOUR WELL-BEING AT HOME.

You know it’s ok to feel a bit mental? Especially at this time of year when there is so much pressure to look happy, feel happy and spread joy. It’s ok to feel down because it’s not your fault. We didn’t evolve to exist in the conditions of today’s society. We evolved to spend the day hunter-gathering our food, not sitting at a desk making sales calls. It’s no wonder we feel disillusioned. We used to look up to tribe leaders for their strength, courage and wisdom, now we just idolise the Kardashians.

As we experience the mounting pressure of oversharing and over comparing we are looking more and more to our homes as a place where we can retreat and seek refuge. A well-designed home can actually boost your positivity and mental well-being. So how do you make sure your home provides that warm hug you need at the end of a difficult day? Here are 9 tips to help reboot your home for 2020.

Image via Cox and Cox

1. PERSONALISE YOUR SPACE

It’s pretty obvious but surround yourself with positive memories and images. Photographs should be on your walls not on your phone. Or at least in a photobook that hangs out on the coffee table. Frame your kid’s artwork or stick it on your fridge.

It’s really important that artwork and ornaments remind you of something wonderful, that they have a story. So don’t just buy a bland canvas of some flowers from Next Home because it picks out the colours in your cushions. Collect artwork and prints that mean something. Buy a print of your favourite song lyrics. Or a print of your favourite all-time album cover. Buy a print that reminds you of that amazing weekend in Dublin. That way every time you look at it it will evoke a memory and a positive feeling. Good design isn’t just about how good something looks, it’s about how good it feels.

2. ORGANISE YOUR FURNITURE

The art of Feng Shui has been around since 4000 BC, and whilst I’m not saying you should rotate your bed just to avoid pointing toward the door, there are some basic principles that are good to follow. Ensure the furniture fits the space, you shouldn’t have to shuffle past things or risk stubbing your toe every time you walk around the bed. If you have a small home consider built-in furniture to perfectly fit the space or tables that extend or desktops that fold down. Furniture should never create an obstruction, it will block positive energy flow and just annoy the hell out of you.

3. DE-CLUTTER

We all know clutter is bad. It drains energy and negatively impacts our overall mood and our self-image because the space around us reflects the care we have for ourselves. A cluttered disorganised home will make it more challenging to have mental clarity and a positive outlook.

Every now and then most of us will get a surge of energy and rid ourselves of clutter but Marie Kondo works on the principle that it should be a permanent life change and not a mammoth chore we endure a couple of times a year. If you are not aware of her work then check her out here . She says every item should bring you joy and should have a place where it belongs. Her method is led by the heart not by rational thinking, only you can decide what is ‘clutter’. Does that old iPhone 4 in your drawer spark joy? Do those dumbbells you never use under your bed spark joy?

The positive effects of ‘letting go’ will far outweigh the annoyance you will feel if you did one day discover the appliance that the unidentifiable charger was for. (Which will never happen).

4. CLEAN UP

Cleaning can have an unbelievably therapeutic and empowering effect on the psyche. Evidence has shown that messy and dirty spaces can make it difficult to focus on particular tasks and achieve goals throughout the day. But if we engage in the ritual of cleaning we feel more optimistic, it’s said to boost self-esteem and confidence. It’s like self-affirmation, it sends signals to the brain that we have already achieved success making us more likely to go on to achieve more success throughout the day.

So if you want to feel more positive and in control then clean. It’s one of the easiest and cheapest makeovers you can perform on your home.

But before you buy a bucket load of Zoflora just bear in mind our precious planet. It makes me really sad when I see the Hinch Army proudly documenting their cleaning rituals on social media. Posting videos of them pumping out gallons of febreeze onto their cushions for the third time that day. It doesn’t make me want to ‘like’ or ‘follow’. It makes me want to shake them and shout “Why are you doing this to our home”. We have enough eco-anxiety so check out eco-friendly ways to clean your home here.

5. COLOUR YOURSELF HAPPY

Colour therapy is as old as time and whilst we all have personal tastes to account for, there is no denying that certain colours impact our brains and affect how we respond to our environment. So for positive well-being blues and greens are your colours to lean toward. Blues are deeply soothing reminding us of the sky and the ocean. It’s also the colour of loyalty and stability, something we all crave. Green is the colour that makes us feel most secure and grounded, it symbolises growth and new life.

Bright and vibrant hues of green, yellow and orange are all cheery colours that work well for accessories but avoid them on your walls. Whilst you may think it would be good to have a large dose of these cheery colours they can actually promote a heightened state of unease and anxiety over time. So limit these colours to your cushions. You can read more about how to choose the perfect paint colour here.

6. MAKE THE MOST OF NATURAL LIGHT

It’s well-documented that natural light makes us feel good. Like the intro said, we weren’t evolved for today’s society. We were meant to work outdoors all day not under fluorescent lights in dingy offices. You can’t do anything about which direction your rooms face or how big your windows are but you can make the most of the natural light.

Firstly. Clean your windows, inside and out. This is the single biggest difference you can make. If you don’t regularly clean them you will be amazed at the difference it makes. And the best thing to use is vinegar and newspaper. I promise you it is.

Now think about your window dressing. If it’s not a room for sleeping then use lightweight or even sheer fabrics and keep them light in colour. Consider swapping out curtains for blinds as they block less light. If privacy is an issue then Venetian blinds work really well as they can be titled to allow light through when closed.

Place mirrors opposite windows to reflect the light around the room. Other shiny materials will do the same so consider side tables with a metallic or enamel finish rather than wood which will soak up the light. Even brass accessories on shelves or a mantelpiece will help keep bouncing the light around the room.

Keep your wall colour light, the paler the colour the more natural light it will reflect but add zingy colours for accessories that will make the room appear brighter. Cheery colours will make all the difference.

7. FIX STUFF

This one is obvious but make sure everything fits and works properly for its function. Because it’s really annoying when things don’t work. We’ve all had those moments where we’ve burst into tears because we can’t get a drawer closed (haven’t we?). For a home to work well it needs to be in good condition so give your house, and everything in it, an MOT. Make a snag list of everything that needs fixing, tweaking or replacing and then do it, or hire someone to do it. Get it all done at once and you will feel so much better about life when your drawers run smoothly.

8. ADD PLANTS

It’s pretty universally accepted that plants are good for the soul. They promote physical and mental well-being by reducing stress and are also thought to help improve concentration and memory. Plus they are totally beautiful and will bring any room to life. They go with everything. They add texture, colour and movement and some of them even purify our air. So what’s not to love?

9. GET A CAT

If you are a responsible human being then why not share your home with a pet? It’s been long documented that stroking a friendly dog or cat reduces blood pressure, heart rate, breathing and muscle tension. More recently it’s thought they can even protect against childhood anxiety. Having a pet provides routine and having a purpose which is so important for positive mental health. So if you have room in your life consider rehoming, saving a life could help save yours.