Creating a calm home to boost your wellbeing
We take a look at the subtle impacts of our home surroundings on mental health, and some simple ways of creating a space where you can fully unwind.
Mental Health Awareness Week is an occasion to increase action to address mental health, talk about mental health in general including with our loved ones, and to take the time to think about our own wellbeing.
While external factors can make the world seem like an increasingly stressful place, our homes provide a sanctuary where we can have more control over our surroundings. Whether we’re conscious of it or not, homes have a profound impact on our wellness and mood – they offer comfort, security and a sense of familiarity.
In recent years we’ve seen more focus on using our interiors to influence our mood, with the Danish concept of hygge and the ‘dopamine décor’ trend gaining popularity. As with anything, however, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. So, we’ve put together some easy tips for creating a sense of calmness in your home – whatever that looks like for you.
Create small cosy spaces
The immaculate homes we see on Instagram can mislead us into thinking that it’s attainable for every room in your house to be perfectly curated and zen. For most of us that’s just not realistic, but don’t be discouraged.
Choose one area in your home to be your dedicated ‘calm space’. It could be your bedroom, a cosy corner of the living room, or anywhere that’s unused and requiring a bit of love. Giving yourself just one space where you can escape, relax and feel calm can have a huge impact on your mental health, especially if it’s a place that’s relatively free from technology and screens.
Decorate using calming colours
Substantial research has proved that colour had a definite impact on our mood, and using colour to create a feeling of calmness is no exception. The question of which colours we find most calming is totally subjective. While the white and elegant ashen tones of a minimalist Scandi home might be relaxing to many, others might feel comforted in darker, more intimate spaces, surrounded by familiar possessions.
Generally, more muted-toned colours have a calming effect, but this could be anything from a soft linen white to a soothing sage or shadowy petrol blue. If you don’t want to go so far as to paint the walls, you can build up a palette using large throws, cushions and wall prints in your chosen colours.
Maximise natural light
As with colour, light can significantly influence our emotions. When it comes to mental health and wellness, natural light is unrivalled. If you can’t easily maximise the natural light in your home, bulbs in daylight white can have the same reviving effect as a bright day, helping you feel refreshed. When it’s time to wind down, a dimmed warm white light is ideal for encouraging relaxation. Similar to the glow of firelight, it naturally makes us feel cosy and secure.
Soothe the senses with relaxing scents
To really feel calm and nurtured, it’s important to engage all the senses. There’s a mind-boggling array of candles, diffusers and essential oils that aim to help relaxation, but if you feel spoilt for choice then lavender is always a good bet. Used for hundreds of years in scented products, the floral, herbal scent is known for its ability to reduce anxiety and promote sleep.
Other popular scents for relaxation include bergamot, rosemary and ylang ylang, or you could choose a scent that’s attached to happy memories – maybe cinnamon, or sea breeze.
Declutter to clear your space and mind
Finally, and perhaps most challenging, decluttering your space is a great way to instantly feel relieved and relaxed – it’s been proven that people who feel their homes are cluttered have higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
Decluttering doesn’t have to mean minimal. Looking around your room, there should be nothing visible that doesn’t serve a purpose or make you happy. Everything else can be tidied away in cupboards or wardrobes, kept in attractive storage baskets or containers, rehomed or recycled.
Creating a wellness routine at home
Once you've personalised your home to feel like an oasis of calm, it can be easy to think the work is done and slip back into habits that could be causing you more stress than you realise.
A wellness routine can help to establish daily practices that boost your mood and mental health in small but significant ways. This will look different for everyone depending on what you enjoy, and what brings you a feeling of contentment. The main thing is that you find ways to prioritize yourself and your mental wellbeing every day - and what better place to do that than from the comfort of your own home.
Here are some things you could include in your daily wellness routine:
- Waking up with mindfulness: Plenty of us wake up to the sound of our phone alarms going off, then spend a few minutes scrolling before we get out of bed. Try spending the first few minutes of your day doing something that makes you feel good. This could be reading some pages of a book you love, jotting down your thoughts for the day, or doing some early morning stretches.
- Nourish yourself: Eating and drinking is one of the most important ways we can look after ourselves. Starting the day with a balanced and nutritious breakfast really can have a huge impact on our health, and the practice of cooking can be calming, too. Hydration is key, so try to have a glass of water to hand throughout the day.
- Prioritise a relaxing bathroom routine: We do it every day, so why not make your shower or bath part of your daily wellness routine. The hot water can relax muscles and calm our nervous system, and on the days when things feel extra difficult, the simple act of having a shower can mean you've done something productive.
- Move your body outdoors: We know that natural sunlight and exercise are both incredibly good for us, so try to combine the two every day and get outside for some movement. This doesn't have to mean getting into running, it could be as simple as walking to your local shops rather than taking the car. Our Persimmon communities are designed with outdoor spaces and lifestyle in mind.
We are committed to making a difference. Persimmon Homes has signed the Building Mental Health charter to raise awareness and improve mental health in the home building industry. #WorldMentalHealthDay
You can find out more about World Mental Health Day at mentalhealth,org.uk. If you or or someone you know is struggling with mental health, below is a list of charities and organisations offering support and information.
SHOWCASE YOUR STYLE
Why not share your own photos on Instagram using #lovemypersimmonhome for a chance to win a £100 Ikea voucher. Visit our Facebook page for terms and conditions.
