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Home & Interior

5 Ways To Optimize Your Home To Improve Your Mental Health 

These hacks will help you create the best possible space to enhance your wellbeing.

Our homes can undeniably impact the quality of our mental health. And having to spend so much time in them during the last year, it isn’t surprising to see how we are relying more and more on décor to boost our moods and feel better in general. Luckily, interior and mental health specialists from Delamere Health are here to give us a helping hand by sharing the following interior design hacks that can help improve our mindsets.

For a look at Delamere’s residential rehab services go to : https://delamere.com/rehab-programmes/residential-rehab 

By Roula Allam

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Think minimalism

Research has found a direct link between clutter and increased levels of the stress hormone cortisol. And consequently, many people have been opting for a minimal approach when it comes to their homes, influenced by the likes of organisational expert and Netflix host, Marie Kondo. 

Minimalism, a method of letting go, evaluating, adapting, reevaluating and intentionally deciding what you are prepared to part with, entails a complete lifestyle swing for most people. It can be helpful for those who suffer from mental health illnesses such as depression by helping them feel a sense of reduction when they are feeling overwhelmed.

Trying to decorate this way can reduce overstimulation, which is a common symptom of anxiety and stress. Chaos and mess are powerful triggers for overstimulation, which in turn can lead to a feeling of exhaustion, and decluttering can help to relieve these feelings. 

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Focus on lighting

When it comes to creating a serene space in your home, lighting is extremely important. As well as being functional, lighting can affect your emotions in complex ways, impacting everything from your mood to your productivity levels. Letting natural light shine in can particularly help ease off symptoms of depression, as it increases endorphins and serotonin. 

To increase the amount of light in your home, try keeping your blinds and curtains open during the day. Another tip is to use lighter colours in your interior design scheme and add wall mirrors across from windows to diffuse light rays throughout the room. 

3 of 5

Take up colour psychology 

Colours play a major role in how we react as they impact the way we feel and how we respond to things surrounding us. The principles of colour psychology, which has been cleverly used in commercial and retail industries for a long time, focus on colours like reds, oranges and yellows being stimulating, whilst greens, blues and purples are more soothing. 

You can use colour psychology to your advantage in your home. Consider how important it is to choose hues that can enhance the room’s purpose, for example, green helps to promote concentration and would be the perfect colour tone for your home office. Subsequently, living spaces should be designed with a soft touch in mind, using neutral colours that create a peaceful space.

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Go for geometric patterns and round shapes

Just like delicate colour patterns can bring a sense of tranquility, design schemes with soft-looking edges and geometric circle patterns can help us feel more relaxed. Research into the psychology of shapes revealed that people recognise round shapes, specifically circles, more positively than other angular shapes. 

Geometric circle patterns can be stimulating, comforting and intriguing within the home while creating a relaxing space. And rounded furniture can add a friendly and approachable vibe to the room, as our brains are conditioned to think sharp corners are harmful. 

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Surround yourself with greenery and natural elements

The biophilia effect was coined by biologist E. O. Wilson in the 1980s and referred to how humans need and gravitate towards nature. Findings confirm that bringing a touch of nature into your home can positively impact your mental and physical health. 

House plants have been proven to help your immune system, boost productivity and positively influence your mental health. The Peace Lily, Aloe Vera and Snake Plant are just three indoor plants with extra health benefits. 

To truly bring the natural element into your home, start with the materials you normally use. Try adding natural fibre textiles, stones, unpolished materials and wooden utensils and furnishing. 

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Home & Interior

5 Ways To Optimize Your Home To Improve Your Mental Health

These hacks will help you create the best possible space to enhance your wellbeing.

Think minimalism

Focus on lighting

Take up colour psychology

Go for geometric patterns and round shapes

Surround yourself with greenery and natural elements

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5 Ways To Optimize Your Home To Improve Your Mental Health 

Take up colour psychology 