Our home environment can have a massive impact on our health and happiness. Many of us appreciate the need for a healthy diet, regular exercise and hobbies for our wellbeing, but our home is often one area that is neglected. If you’re looking to improve your health and mood, then starting with your home is essential.
Here are some of the best ways to improve your home and feel the benefits on your mood, creativity and productivity.
Choose Natural Cleaning Products
It goes without saying that a clean home is a healthy home. Regular cleaning, top to bottom, is vital to keep your home free of any harmful germs, mould or other health risks.
You should consider switching harsh chemicals for natural cleaning agents. Not only is this better for your health, but it is also better for the environment. A good example is bicarbonate of soda, which is excellent for all types of cleaning, or white vinegar, which is a superb smell buster.
Bring Nature Indoors
Plants can help reduce stress, raise your mood and improve air quality in your home – all while looking gorgeous. You could start by getting one plant for each room of the house and get the kids involved by letting them choose their rooms’ plants. You should consider low maintenance plants like succulents for children so they can care for them easily themselves.
Fresh flowers can be a great way to bring colour and beauty to your home. You could consider picking up some blooms with your weekly shop or invest in a fresh flower delivery service.
Make The Most Of Natural Light
Natural light is essential to our health. It helps us know when it’s time for sleep and when to wake up. Some homes may struggle to make the most of natural light, but you can enhance the light you get in a few simple steps.
Consider installing lighter curtains that allow more sunlight in or strategically place mirrors that will reflect light. If you’d like to go one step further, you could have a skylight installed so that you will benefit from the sun’s rays all day long.
Declutter Regularly
Decluttering can help you ensure that you stay on top of dusting and keep your home a clean, stress-free environment. You should consider incorporating decluttering into your daily routine at home to make it less of a daunting job.
Start off going room by room to break the process down into manageable steps, and donate or throw out anything you no longer use. A good rule of thumb is to donate anything you have not used in six months.
Care For Your Plumbing
The health of your home’s plumbing system can directly impact your health and your peace of mind. It would be best if you incorporated good plumbing care into your home cleaning. This can include using commercial or natural drain unblocker when necessary and monitoring signs of a blocked toilet or drain. Signs of this can include slow-moving drains and unusual noises coming from pipes.
You must have a reliable drainage expert to turn to if something does go wrong. An excellent example of what to look for is Drain Detectives. They are experts at providing plumbing maintenance, including unblocking drains, dealing with blocked toilets and identifying any other issues that may occur.
Update Your Insulation
Sound insulation is essential to keeping your home warm in winter and cool in summer. It can help reduce your carbon footprint and save you money on your utility bills. If you haven’t had your home insulation updated in a while, then now could be the perfect time to do so.
It may help to do some research into the options available. Ethically sourced insulation is the best choice for saving money and making your home sustainable.
Revamp Your Sleep Space
The place you rest your head at night is crucial for good sleep. Our mattresses need replacing every eight years or so – sooner if there are any noticeable signs of damage or wear and tear. If you notice that you aren’t sleeping well, then a new mattress, pillows and linens could make all the difference.
You should focus your decluttering efforts on the bedroom as well. A clear, airy space is best for getting rest. Clutter can cause stress making it harder to unwind and nod off. It would help if you had curtains that block out light but avoid blackout curtains which can disrupt your natural sleep rhythms.
Keep Work And Leisure Separate
Many of us have had to get used to working from home during the coronavirus pandemic. This is a trend that looks set to continue even after the end of the pandemic. It is essential to your mental health that you have a good separation between work and leisure.
You could consider keeping your desk clear of any distractions so that you will be productive during working hours. If you struggle to switch off after the working day, then you could consider using a light blanket to cover your workspace, particularly if your desk is set up in your kitchen or living room.
Consider A Pet
Pets can bring a great deal of joy to the home. Dogs, in particular, can help you get more exercise and stick to a routine. The act of caring for another living thing can help improve mood, provide companionship and reduce stress.
It is important to fully consider if you have the time and energy to dedicate to a pet before you go ahead. You should also carefully consider the impact on your family, including your children.
Invest In Art
Hanging artwork is a simple way to bring colour and energy to a home. You could consider checking out local art galleries and artists to support your community. Online shops like Etsy are another great source of art for the home.
You could consider creating your own art for your home, which will allow you to put your creative stamp on the space.
Create Your Dream Garden
Having a relaxing and attractive garden can increase pride in your home and provide you with a space to enjoy during the warmer months. You could consider setting up some beautiful seasonal flower beds to enjoy beautiful blooms all year round.
You could create a patio or deck for eating meals during the summer months. Connecting with nature is an excellent way to improve your mood and mental wellbeing, and fresh air and vitamin D from sunlight can do wonders for improving physical health.
Find Your Signature Home Scent
Our sense of smell is an often-overlooked way to improve overall health and mood. The right scent can create an environment that is relaxing, soothing, energising or creative. You could consider investing in scented candles, reed diffusers or room sprays. To make your own scents, you could buy a collection of essential oils.
Consider using citrus or rosemary to improve productivity and creativity, or lavender and chamomile for relaxation after a busy day.
Conclusion
There are many ways to create the perfect relaxing oasis in your home. You should consider a number of the options above and more to get the most out of the process. Start with a thorough declutter and then move on to adding elements that will improve your home’s look and feel. A combination of practical considerations and creative touches will massively improve your health and wellbeing at home.
Disclosure: This is a featured post.