7 simple ways to improve personal environment and wellbeing
Did you know that your immediate environment directly affects your state of mental and emotional health?
If you look around your home and it’s cluttered and messy, it increases the level of cortisol* (the stress hormone) in your body.
We all have plenty of distractions in our day to day life.
When you come home, wouldn’t it be nice to walk in the door and feel yourself immediately relax, simply by casting your eyes over a space you love?
Here are our tips to creating a home and sanctuary that you enjoy being in, where you can rest, restore and rejuvenate your body, mind and soul.
1. Clear the clutter
Clutter can easily collect in corners, on chairs, under beds, on the shelves and drawers. Us humans can clutter spaces fast! You can try and ignore the clutter, but you’ll still catch it from the corner of your eye. Not getting on top of clutter causes confusion and feelings of helplessness and thoughts like “I’ll get to that one day” followed by “I’ve been saying that for months”.
It takes discipline to keep your home uncluttered and tidy, but it’s worth the positive impact it has on your mental health. You may think you’re too busy to clean up the clutter or feel attached to all the things you have. But when the clutter is gone, you’ll feel lighter and happier, guaranteed. Start with something small like your drawers, then move to the cupboards and the rest of the house.
2. Create inviting spaces
Do you have a comfortable place to sit and have a cup of tea, read a book or just to rest? A specific spot on the couch with your favourite cushion, a photo frame and a throw is sometimes all you need to create a space that is inviting.
Related article: 5 teas for glowing skin
3. Natural light and sunshine – let it in!
Natural light is known to reduce fatigue and enhance your wellbeing. Regardless of how much light you have, make the most of it. Draw back the curtains or blinds and let the light in wherever possible.
Or wake up to natural light coming into your bedroom through the windows. You might wake up a little earlier, but you’ll have more time to ease into the day ahead, and be better prepared for whatever it may bring.
4. Fresh air – let it in!
Fresh air and sunshine – for thousands of years these have been the most simple and important remedies for ongoing good health. Fresh air cleans out any allergens and dust mites from your living environment.
If you are prone to itchy eyes and sneeze a lot, you are probably more sensitive to allergens in the home. Make sure your home has fresh air throughout all the seasons. Over winter, take every opportunity to open the windows and doors for fresh air, perhaps when you’re not home or busy doing the housework.
5. Bring nature into your home
Research has shown that even a little bit of contact with nature can soothe the senses and boost mental and emotional wellbeing**. In addition to this, houseplants can reduce indoor dust by up to 20% so the air quality in your home improves.
Bring some nature into your home with indoor plants. They add an organic touch to your home, and you’ll feel good by caring for them and watching them flourish.
If you have a pleasant outlook over a garden or trees, place a chair in this space so that you can sit and cast your eyes over the scenery when you’re having a rest.
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6. Nurture your senses
Do you enjoy looking at the colour and design of your home environment?
Consider the colours you’re surrounded with. Do you like the colours of your soft furnishings, curtains and rugs? Choose colour and designs that are appealing to your senses rather than what is trendy. Place ornaments, photos and artwork in ways that you can enjoy them. Your home is an expression of you and therefore should be appealing to you.
Think about your lighting and how it changes the mood in the evenings. Use soft and warm lights and experiment with what makes a room restful and relaxing in the evening.
7. Create an altar
Your spiritual wellbeing is just as important as your mental and emotional wellbeing. An altar provides a special place where you can give thanks, meditate or pray. You only need a small space to create an altar such as a small table, one side of the kitchen bench, or a section of your bookshelf.
For the altar, choose some objects that have spiritual meaning for you. Photos, crystals, candles, statues, or anything else that you feel connects you with a greater purpose or simply makes you feel more at peace.
Related article: Kosmea Selfcare: 5 reasons why a skincare routine improves your mental health
References:
*What does clutter do to your brain and body?
https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/what-does-clutter-do-to-your-brain-and-body
**Houseplants don’t just look nice – they can also give your mental health a boost
https://theconversation.com/houseplants-dont-just-look-nice-they-can-also-give-your-mental-health-a-boost-186982#
