Meta: We’ve all had moments where we get in a funk, and mental health suffers, in particular, know the struggles of looking after yourself when things get tough. We look at the ways a healthy home can help promote a healthy mind.
Your home is your sanctuary., Sometimes, it can get a bit messy, and sometimes, the dishes can pile up if you are having a rough day. But that’s okay; even though these little things are annoying, you can put them in the back of your mind and deal with them later. It’s harder, however, to keep your mind light if you are feeling uncomfortable in your home. Keeping your property healthy is the first step to easing your mind and helping you relax after a hard day at work.
Declutter
We’ve all got stuff, and some of us have lots of it. However, if you’ve got more stuff than you’ve got space, things can start to get a bit stressful. There are easy ways to declutter over time by removing things you no longer wear or use.
If you don’t have belongings you can easily sell or get rid of, get creative with your storage Do your winter coats and shoes need to be available through the summer, or can you store them away? The same goes for winter duvets and blankets; you can store them away to use during the colder months. Vacuum-sealing storage bags are ideal for storing bulky stuff, and they prevent your things from smelling a bit stale after you’ve stored them in the back of a cupboard for a few months.
Clean & Maintained
While a bit of mess and a couple of dishes aren’t a big deal, you should regularly clean your home and keep on top of maintenance. Make sure important appliances, like gas cookers and boilers, have their required check-ups and keep an eye out for any areas of damp that could indicate a leak.
Damp can lead to mold, which can have adverse health effects and cause irritation in asthma and allergy suffers. Although it can be difficult to identify the type of damp that afflicts your property, a trusted contractor will be able to provide information regarding potential damp-proofing or rising damp quotes for repair.
A lot of new buildings will incorporate modern construction methods, including double-glazing and insulation. While this is great for keeping the warmth in over the winter and the heat out in the summer, it can negatively affect air quality in our homes. Poor air quality can lead to increased headaches, make you feel lethargic, and even encourage breathing problems. Make sure to regularly open the windows and let fresh air flow through your home; you’ll soon notice a difference in both your mood and your energy levels.
Bring the Outside In
Green invokes calm and stability, and a great way to bring in the green without bringing out the paint is to bring some nature indoors. Whether you use real or fake plants, the color green can help soothe minds. Of course, real plants have the added bonus of removing toxins from the air and increasing the amount of oxygen in your home, but they might not be ideal for hay fever or pollen allergy sufferers.
Make sure you allow plenty of natural light into your property, keep your windows clean and open your curtains every day. You can also put items in your eyeliner outside that draw your attention, like bird-tables and feeders. Not only is sunlight good our moods, but it also helps our bodies create Vitamin D, which is important for keeping them healthy.
When you are feeling low or you’ve had a rough day, sometimes taking care of yourself is the last thing on your mind, but even taking small steps to maintain your home is a good first step. A healthy home can promote positive thoughts and help towards keeping a healthy body.
Photo by Sladjana Karvounis on Unsplash
