4 Ways Your Home Environment Could Be Affecting Your Mental Health

For many people, setting up their home is an enjoyable event. You may enjoy painting, hanging art on the walls and setting up rooms. Finding spaces for all of your beloved trinkets and objects can make you feel like you belong somewhere. This sense of belonging is important for everyone, but especially for those who suffer from anxiety or depression. Having a “safe place” in your home can help reduce the stress from these illnesses. However, many people fail to take into account the way their home is making them feel. Included here are a few ways your home environment could be affecting your mental health.

Use of Color

The way humans perceive color has a powerful effect on your psyche. For instance, painting a room blue can make you feel subdued and calm, while red can heighten your appetite and anxiety. Take into account how each of your rooms makes you feel and whether it has something to do with the color. Is there are a certain place you enjoy most?

If you are just moving into a house, paint each room for its intended use. For help staying cheerful and optimistic, yellow may be a good choice; while those feeling untethered and unfocused may need a pleasant green. Taking time to realize which colors make you feel the most at home and comfortable can help keep you in good mental health.

Lack of Natural Light

Humans are solar-oriented creatures. We need the sun to grow our food, supply us with vitamin D and give us light. Before the development of artificial lighting and living spaces, many humans lived on a cycle that followed the sun. This connection to our natural circadian rhythm can help keep your cycle and emotional stability in balance.

Create a home environment where you get as much natural light as possible. This means utilize a workspace next to a window, eat breakfast out on the patio or spend time gardening. These small healthy, daily rituals can help contribute to better physical and mental health.

Cluttered Rooms

They say a cluttered desk equals a cluttered mind, but how does that relate to the home? For people who suffer with anxiety or depression, living in a space that is constantly cluttered and unorganized can lead them to feel anxious about other aspects of their lives. The clutter can make them feel guilty and claustrophobic and lead to mental unrest. Unclutter your home and try to pursue a more minimalist driven lifestyle over being hoarder-esque.

Overly Noisy

Sometimes it is unavoidable to live on a busy street. However, the incessant traffic noise that causes you anxiety needs to be dealt with somehow. Consider utilizing a sound machine or insulating your windows to help prevent the noise. Keeping your house quiet with a soothing water sound or nature sound will keep you calmer and more present.