Our homes are our sanctuaries: they are the place where we can rest our heads and recover from a crazy day out in the world. Because we spend so much of our time in our homes, it makes sense that they would affect our mental well-being. Not all homes are places we can relax and restore ourselves, but the more we can make our homes into places we enjoy, the better off we are. Here is how your home affects your mental health in a few substantial ways.
Clutter Clouds the Mind
There are numerous ways that having excess clutter affects your mental state. The important thing to remember is that your environment has an impact on your inner world as well. If you live in a chaotic, messy area, your mind can become a chaotic and messy place. Decluttering can do wonders for your mental health, as it helps you feel like you have a fresh start. If you live in a nest of clutter, clearing it out might help you more than you would think.
Light Exposure Can Improve Mood
One of the ways your home affects your mental health has to do with how much light you get inside of it. Natural light from the sun is one of the best natural mood boosters available, but not every home has a design that takes advantage of this. By exposing yourself and your home to more natural light, you can create an environment that more readily rejuvenates you, rather than one that seems to bring you further down into the doldrums.
Color Theory
Seeing different colors can have a massive impact on your mood at any given point. Brighter colors, such as reds and yellows, can add a little more energy to a room if you have a lot of them in it. Softer, cooler colors, such as earth tones, beiges, and blues, can make a room more relaxing. Play around with the colors in different rooms, depending on their use. Decorate your office a little brighter if you need more energy and make your living room a little cooler if you want to take it easier in there.
Communal Spaces for Connections
Humans, in general, are social creatures. Even introverts need social interaction at some point. If you are more extroverted, it can help to set up your communal spaces, so they are better suited for talking with other people. Having all your furniture point at a television can make people less likely to talk to each other. If social interaction with your housemates is important to you, you can make it happen naturally.
