Feeling a bit down? Not sure what’s up with that? Ever thought about how your home’s decor choices could affect how you’re feeling?
Our environment plays a role in our emotional state. Think about the last time your house was in a state of chaos. Perhaps immediately following the holidays, or during the peak of summer break when the kids were running wild at home. Did you feel in control? Or possibly like you were losing your mind?
Your house can help you feel confident in who you are and the choices you are making. On the other hand, if you have been neglecting your home, it can make you feel down, depressed, and a little out of control.
Want some simple steps to turn your home into a mood-booster? Here are 5 tips that can be done in one afternoon.
1. Change Out Your Pictures
Image Source: Pxhere
Pictures should bring feelings of happiness, gratitude, and contentment. But if you have not been feeling those things as you look at your wall arrangement, it could be time to shake things up. It’s not that your previous arrangement failed. It could simply be that your mind has gotten so used to those pictures, you no longer “see” them. If that is the case, simply change out one framed art piece for a new canvas. Changing one picture to something entrancing is often enough to draw the eye to all the other beautiful pictures on display.
2. Add a Splash of Color
Image Source: Flickr
Color theory has long been studied by scientists to find out how colors affect our emotions and behaviors. The one thing that researchers can agree on? Past associations with a certain color influences how you feel about a color. This is likely why blue is such a commonly quoted color favorite. The average person’s associations with the color blue are usually good. Think clear skies, crystal blue beaches, etc.
Adding splashes of a feel-good color to your room can help your mind subconsciously connect to cherished experiences. The overhaul need not be large. Cushion covers, a vase, book covers that share a similar shade. Choose your favorite color and make sure that hints of it are woven into your sanctuary.
3. Splurge On a Bouquet
Image Source: Flickr
Research shows that being near plants is a good thing for our creativity and other aspects of our wellbeing. But perhaps you can’t seem to get the hang of indoor plants? Do they all end up dying? Even your succulents? While greenery in the home is nice in theory, not all of us are blessed with a green thumb.
You do not need to give up your enjoyment of plants altogether. Try a cut flower arrangement once a week. Go to the market and purchase some flowers and put them in a vase on the kitchen counter. “But, they’ll wilt after a few days…” Yes, that’s true. But think of the benefits. Can anyone see a beautiful flower arrangement and frown? Nope! The first reaction is to smile. That is how flowers boost the mood. Because the act of smiling can trigger the mind to actually feel happy.
4. Conquer One Messy Corner at a Time
The feeling of accomplishment we get as we organize can be empowering. Just knowing there is one less area of your house that needs tending to can help you feel in control of your house and your life. Keep it simple by starting off small. Give yourself tasks that can be completed in no longer than an hour at a time. One kitchen drawer in one afternoon. The next day, tackle another area of the house.
5. Wash Your Curtains
Image Source: Pixabay
Our eyes are naturally drawn to sources of light in a room. During the daytime, this means our eyes are drawn to the outdoors. But when was the last time you washed your curtains or window treatments? Curtains are often overlooked when it comes time to clean. You may not even know it, but that feeling of overwhelm? It could be due to seeing dust on those drapes each time you look out one of the windows in your home.
If your house is large, and you have many window treatments to clean, consider tackling just one room at a time. When you wash your curtains, add a drop of lavender oil to the load. Or a favorite aromatic oil. Your curtains will smell as fresh as they now look, and your enjoyment of looking out your windows will increase.
Featured Image Source: Maxpixel
