Homes and Mental Health
We all know the rigors we had to endure for the past two years or more. Having to spend an inordinate amount of time, i.e. 24/7 in our home has sometimes been a drag on how we feel. Working, eating, socializing, relaxing, sleeping, dealing with noisy or nosy neighbors, helping with homework… it all adds up. Is there life elsewhere?
We can’t control some things, but we can tweak some aspects to make life a little brighter and more comfortable. If you like art, display what you admire for its aesthetic value for you and family to enjoy. Appreciating visual items can give a positive emotional response which can be uplifting. It can be something as simple as a framed print, your own photos, or pottery that you or a friend made that you admire. It can give us identity and personalize our homes.
So called “smart” technology can help make us feel safer or have more control over our lives. Just drove off and wonder if the front door is locked or the garage door is closed? Apps can help answer that to free our minds and close or lock that door if you forgot. Smart T-Stats can cut back on electrical or fuel consumption when you are gone and save money. Smart lightbulbs can be controlled from your phone and offer changes in color temperature can affect our mood. Try one to see how you like. They are available at stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s or major hardware chains. Other examples can control our home turn on lights and AC as we arrive home. We don’t need to control everything, but these seem helpful.
veYou can try to steer yourself into better habits by making it a little more difficult to always take the easy way. For example, use a cue to bike or walk somewhere when you can. Have your bike easily accessible to jump on for a short trip or some needed physical activity. Keep a jacket/hat sunglasses on a hook by the door so you can walk with no effort. You don’t always have to drive. Think about what would give you that nudge to be more physically active and use it as a cue to act in a healthy way.
Most of us like natural things, and we can make it part of our homes. Biophilic design refers to using elements of the natural world in our constructed spaces. It’s more than potted plants and earth tone paints. As snowflakes and tree bark have patterns which are “ordered complexity” we can enjoy what we see with the patterns. Natural materials such as wood and stone and curved surfaces help bring nature indoors and activate a portion of our brains which gives us a calmer feeling. The home decorating section of stores can give you some ideas on this topic. Personally, a plant on one’s desk, looks nice and may help reduce cortisol levels (a stress hormone) according to a UK study. Ask your nursery for help in selection as care, water and light levels vary and some are easier to care for.
Clutter seems to sometimes have a life of its own and we need (generally) to fight it and keep it at bay. Too much “stuff” is distracting, while minimizing what we must look at is helpful. Our desks and work areas contribute to better productivity when we only have what we need now in plain sight. Have your workspace clean, neat, and supplies and files you are to work on ready to go. Put away what is not needed. Studies show that messy homes cause higher “depressed mood scores” in residents. Instead of just storing things, what about getting rid of some things at your local thrift store or garage sale. Do you really need that… Marie Kondo, a Japanese author of The Joy of Tidying Up, is fond of saying, “hold something up and look at it. If it doesn’t bring you joy, then get rid of it.” I think we can all benefit from that attitude although it may be hard to part with all our “treasures”, it’s a step in the right direction. If you haven’t worn that shirt or blouse in three years, are you going to wear it this week? If you really require more storage space, look for hidden space. Use risers to get the bed higher and then low clearance boxes underneath. There may be room for high storage over appliances or cabinets or shelves in the attic or garage in those tight or low clearance spaces where you can tuck a few things.
To the extent that you can, and some of us who live in smaller homes or apartments must, try to keep your work area separate and distinct from other living areas. This can help reduce burn out. Working in your bedroom is a good example to avoid. Even if you only have the kitchen table to rely on, set it up for work in the morning and at the end of your day, put away work folders, your laptop and other work-related items and “close” your office. If you have a separate room for work, even better. You need to be able to shut down and switch off from work and disconnect for a while. The idea is to be able to mentally “leave” the office at the end of the day. Your family will thank you. Changing color temperatures of the light bulbs mentioned above will help you move into a more relaxed state. Bright white in the morning for waking up and work. Then go to softer blues in late afternoon to wine down. Maybe it’s as good time to stretch, take a walk, or call a friend to catch up.
For those of us who think about waste and over consumption, then next time you need something like a piece of furniture, a piece of clothing, lawn equipment, etc., think – “pre-loved or used”. Secondhand furniture can offer some surprising finds with high quality wood and craftsmanship. Sometimes all it needs is a little TLC. Vintage clothing or other items might be fun to wear and reduce our dependency on always having new. We can reduce our impact on the environment. Look at FB Marketplace, Craigslist, or adverts for yard sales.
Summarized from an article by Ben Channon and Eleanor Ratcliffe on BuzzFeed