According to a recent study by Glassdoor, job searches for remote positions increased 360% between June 2019 and June 2021. Office closures during the pandemic (many of which are still in place) proved employees could successfully work from home.
Closures also showed the workforce a new way of working — one without a commute and with the flexibility to throw in a load of laundry between Zoom calls. While many people are not able to work from home based on their job requirements or office policies, the growing number of individuals interested in remote work means an increased number of people will spend more time at home than anywhere else.
For as many upsides as there are to working from home, downsides also exist. One of the biggest downsides is the potential inability to escape the stressors of the workplace. No matter if you are working from home or going into the office, your home is a place that should bring you comfort and peace — not anxiety, stress or irritability.
The link between your environment and your well-being is well documented. Your home’s aesthetics and sensory makeup all play a role in your mental health. We’re here to help you make your home a sanctuary. Below, we’re sharing five tips for creating a home that promotes mental health and well-being.
Tip #1: Keep your home decluttered.
According to verywellmind.com, “Cluttered spaces can create feelings of overwhelm and anxiety, while tidy spaces can invoke a sense of calm.” Recovery.org also points to the positive mental health benefits of cleaning, organizing and decluttering your home. These benefits include gaining control of your environment, uplifting your mood, and finding inspiration. Clean spaces can also help your focus. If you are feeling frustrated about a lack of attentiveness, decluttering and cleaning your space could help.
Tip #2: Restore your sense of ownership.
Feeling in control of your environment can make a big impact on your mental health. Seemingly small tasks such as making the bed every morning, starting the dishwasher each night, and putting your belongings away before bed can help you regain a sense of control and ownership over your space. Accomplishing a task, no matter how small, can improve your mindset.
Tip #3: Create an organization station.
It can feel like it takes a massive amount of energy to clean your whole house. To help lower the mental drain, consider creating an organization station. This becomes your home base for chores and organizing. At your station, keep a list of tasks on a whiteboard, notepad or calendar.
Break your list down by task, and get the task done as you notice it. This will ease some of the perceived effort that goes along with cleaning. Another trick: keep all the materials you need to accomplish your tasks close by, so that you can take care of the looking and the doing at the same time.
Tip #4: Separate and designate your areas.
Different members of the household may have different areas where they feel most at peace. Maybe it’s a game room, the living room, or a study. No matter where yours is, make sure it has everything you need to find serenity in your stressful days.
Additionally, keep different areas of the house separated by responsibility. For example, if you work from home, don’t work in your bed. Doing so will decrease your sleep quality as well as your work quality. Instead, let your brain divide bed and work areas appropriately — one as a place to rest, and one as a place to focus.
Tip #5: Move your body.
Physical health and mental health are interconnected. Raise your spirits, as well as your motivation and energy levels, with exercise. Creating a home gym can significantly aid in this quest for movement. Whether you have space to dedicate to a home gym, or simply a place to roll out your yoga mat, taking time for physical activity can work wonders for your mental health.
Create a storage space for all the equipment you need to complete an exercise routine that you enjoy. As with your organization station, by having all of the equipment you need in one place, you’ll be more likely to take time for yourself and your health.
Mental health can be complicated and difficult to manage. Creating a home sanctuary is one way to increase your sense of well-being and find more happiness in your space. Implementing these tips will hopefully allow your space to assist your brain in finding a sense of peace.
If you’re struggling with mental health issues and need more than a home reboot to regain your sense of well-being, please seek professional help.
