According to the American Institute of Stress, almost 80 percent of people regularly experience physical symptoms of stress, and nearly 50 percent of them say stress has a negative impact on their personal and professional life. These negative emotions are often something we associate with work, money and other types of pressure, while our home should be a safe haven where we can relax, recharge and enjoy ourselves. Even though this is not always true, we do have more control over the environment and mood inside our home. Here are some things you can do to increase the well-being and happiness in your home.
De-clutter
Recent studies of physical health, stress and life satisfaction talk about the correlation of physical clutter and psychological comfort. This means that the first step towards a home that promotes well-being is getting rid of unnecessary accumulated possessions. After that, you should work on your home’s organization and achieve a minimalistic, yet cozy décor.
Change the lighting
Lighting can have a significant impact on your mood, and produce some unwanted effects, such as headaches. This especially goes for extremely low lighting and harsh CFL and LED bulbs. This doesn’t mean you have to give up on energy-efficient lights. There are some of them that replicate the warmth and color of incandescent bulbs.
Create a sleep-friendly environment
Sleep deprivation is one of the leading causes of stress. There are many ways to deal with this problem, and one of them is creating a sleep-friendly environment in your bedroom. To achieve this, you need to get blackout window shades and get rid of all electronic distractions (the TV, computer…). An appropriate temperature (about 68 degrees) also plays a crucial role.
Drink healthy water
Public water supply systems often have their issues, and water quality varies from city to city. Since water is so essential for one’s health, it is impossible to avoid it, and if your water quality is compromised, your health is also in jeopardy. A cost-effective way of dealing with this problem is installing eco-friendly commercial UV water treatment systems. Unlike chemical water purification methods, like chlorine, UV light is safe for your health and very efficient.
Enrich the space with life
A 2015 randomized study showed that indoor plants can reduce psychological stress and bring in other psychological benefits. Well-placed greenery can be much more than functional decoration. Besides helping with decreasing stress, indoor plants can also purify the air of various pollutants and allergens. Some of the plants that can perform all of the functions listed above are the Aloe Plant, English Ivy, Rubber Tree, Peace Lilly, Snake Plant, Bamboo Palm, and Philodendron.
Make it personal
The feeling of being at home includes positive emotions and peacefulness. That being said, not every space we inhabit is necessarily a home. A home isn’t made of four walls, even when we own them. It is made of the little things that describe who we are and what we love or enjoy doing. Here are some suggestions which could transform your house into a home:
- Create a gallery wall with photos of your friends and family or with your favorite places around the globe.
- Build your own library.
- Display souvenirs from your trips.
- Integrate art into your living space.
- Create an outdoor room to spend more time outside and enjoy the sun.
- Invest in quality speakers so you can listen to your favorite “feelgood” or relaxing music.
- Set up a reading nook.
- Create an entertaining zone to be able to call your friends over and have a great time in your home.
Your home is supposed to be a happy and safe place. Banish health threats and stressors from it with these tips, and you will instantly notice the difference.
Derek Lotts Bio
Derek Lotts is a regular contributor at Smooth Decorator and writes about décor, gardening, recycling, ecology and everything related to home improvement. He thinks all of these topics fall under the self-improvement category. He believes in the power of sharing ideas and communicating via the Internet to achieve betterment.
Author: Derrek Lotts
