Not happy from being cooped up at home all the time?
Well, then maybe a little home improvement is what you need to liven your mood.
No thanks to COVID-19, working from home is now increasingly common.
According to The Economist, before the pandemic Americans spent 5 percent of their time working from home. By Spring 2020, that figure was 60 percent.
A home is no longer just a sanctuary. Now, it has also become our workspace. There is added anxiety and stress from this change alone.
We know that our living spaces affect our mood, psychological well-being and in turn, our work performance. If you want to maximize comfort or productivity, you need to create the ideal environment for each.
Here are four science-backed tips that can help turn your home into a happier and healthier place for both work and life.
Good Light Sets The Mood Right
According to studies, natural light works wonders for our mood and emotions.
Situate your work desk near a window. Sunlight has shown to heighten the brain’s production of serotonin, which in turn helps to regulate your mood. In addition, the sounds of nature relaxes the body and soothes the mind. Avoid excessive eyestrain by using sheer or anti-glare blinds when you use a computer.
For areas that rely on artificial lighting, the right selection of lights can either hinder or help you, depending on your objective.
For instance, blue light emitted from electronic devices has been shown to interrupt sleep.
Not getting proper sleep can negatively affect your mood for the entire day. Avoid any blue light sources near your rest areas and you will feel refreshed from a sound sleep.
On the other hand, blue light stimulates the brain and is suited for when you are trying to do an analytic task.
As a general rule, warmer lights are better for relaxing and social activities, while blue and cooler lights are better for work related tasks.
I recently shared the important parts of my nighttime routine and emphasized my room setup. Let me know if it helps you get a better night’s rest!
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Keep Your Home Clean And Organized
Unlike a messy house which is an eyesore, a clean home is a source of comfort.
Now that many of us are working from home, the house can easily become messy and disorganized.
It is hard to work with a cluttered desk. You are not productive when you need to fumble around and look for stuff.
Regularly de-clutter your home. Having too many things can be overwhelming and induce added stress or anxiety.
A found that cleaning can help reduce feelings of stress or anxiety. When you feel overwhelmed or anxious, take a quick moment to tidy up your room or even make your bed.
A part of my daily routine is to always tidy my bed before I go about my day. Keeping things well organized communicates order and promotes a sense of reassurance in your life.
Did you know that part of my pre-fight routine involves tidying up the room?
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Create Your Own Safe Space
Everyone needs their own space and privacy to unwind.
Working at home with your spouse or partner can sometimes cause friction, especially if your personal spaces are compromised.
Every home should have spaces designed for activities you can do together and spaces for when you need to be alone.
Consider what designs or decorations will help to make you feel at ease.
For instance, hanging pictures of favorite memories can help bring up positive recollections of things and people you love. It allows you to reconnect with the good and pleasant moments in your life.
A fully equipped and well-decorated man cave can be the perfect retreat for any guy who wants to relax after a hard day’s work.
Design your communal spaces to help bring the family together. A couch can be a great piece of furniture to cozy up together. Alternatively, to facilitate interaction, arrange your furniture so others can keep eye contact.
I was over at my brother’s place during SuperBowl weekend. We got to enjoy some nice family time sitting by the fireplace in front of the TV rooting for the Bengals.
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Use Curves, Patterns And Colors
Curves, patterns and colors play an integral part into the overall design of your home. They not only affect the look and layout, but their presence can also enhance and influence your emotions and mood.
The design of your house should primarily reflect how you aim to feel and not just as a means of showcasing the latest trends.
Experts say that sharp angles are more visually stimulating and excessive use in furniture and home design can sometimes stress us out. Instead, opt for curves and organic shapes.
Use patterns to breathe life and detail into your home. Although patterns can be a great decorative element, limit yourself a one or two and instead repeat them throughout the room. This will help to reduce visual distractions and clutter.
Lastly, colors complete the look of a house. Paint is an inexpensive way to spruce up your house. As with lightning, warm tones makes us feel warmer while cooler hues do the opposite.