Research Shows Your Home Is Linked To Your Mental Health

Stress and depression at home may be a result of your home environment. The relationship of home environment and mental health is curious and there may be a direct correlation between the two. It appears that those who suffer from anxiety, stress and even depression can create a home environment that may lessen symptoms. There are a number of ways one’s home may influence mood and diagnosed conditions.

Light, Depression and Sleep

Humans need sufficient amounts of light. Light stimulates the body’s circadian rhythms and tells it when to awaken and when to sleep. Natural lights is beneficial for human health in many ways. Those who experience feelings of depression may suffer from insomnia or poor sleep habits. Exposure in the early morning to natural light can produce antidepressant effects and may be useful for those who experience seasonal depressed mood. Those with non-seasonable depression may also benefit from bright light exposure. Getting enough natural light can help trigger a more natural sleep cycle.

Those rooms or homes with little light or darkened windows may exacerbate current symptoms, making individuals feel like sleeping longer or napping at times which may interrupt their later attempts to go to sleep. Opening windows and getting in more natural light into a room can help motivate individuals and make them feel like becoming more active. Enjoying bright light exposure for 30-40 minutes in a day may produce beneficial effect on those who need to shift circadian rhythms to a more natural sleep cycle.

Those who have mobility issues may want to look into certain popular home improvements, such as creating a sunroom to enjoy more natural light. In addition, there are light therapy options that may be useful. These are a few options that may help reduce feelings of depression and improve sleep patterns.

Plants and Mental Health

Plants not only serve to add color to a space. Bringing a little nature into a home can help improve air quality and reduce potential allergens. Inflammation can exacerbate health issues and a clean environment with useful plants may help some individuals breathe easier. A healthy home environment is good for those who suffer from some allergies but one may have to be mindful of the types of plants brought indoors.

Plants can also help calm the mind. Individuals can observe green and healthy plants when stressed, breathe deeply and then refocus their energies on the next task at hand. Plants may be of benefit in the bedroom, home office or a studio space. Plants may help to increase productivity. People respond differently to various colors. Green may induce feelings of tranquility and calmness, while reducing stress. This color may be selectively used when choosing plants or incorporated in other design elements, such as pillows, wall treatments or fabrics.

Color, Decor and Mental Wellness

A fresh coat and paint and some storage options may be beneficial for those dealing with depression, sleep conditions or anxiety. According to the developing field of Color Psychology, there have been a number of observations when it comes to color, mood and behavior. Warm colors may produce feelings of comfort and warmth. Blue colors and cool colors may produce feelings of calm. However, people perceive colors perceptively and what produces a calming effect in one person may not elicit the same response in another.

Order from Chaos

The state of the home is often a reflection of one’s mental health. A clean and organized home may serve to calm those living within it and support the healing of mind and body. Those who may be depressed or who are attempting to stay sober may want to take steps to improve their home environment. The home can then be useful as a healing sanctuary. It is possible to rearrange furniture, use existing items and eliminate clutter in order create a more calming space. Design Psychology can be used in addition to talk therapy to help individuals with depression or other diagnosed conditions heal and recover. Seeing physical changes in a home may serve to stimulate the desire to make other changes to improve emotional, mental and physical health.

Think More About Improving the Home Environment

The home environment should be an oasis of calm for a tired body and mind. Those who are diagnosed with depression or a related condition may want to look into ways to naturally support their mental health by making changes at home. Reducing clutter, reorganizing and selectively choosing colors in a home, whether in fabrics, paint or décor, may make it easier to function and decrease the severity of symptoms.

Greg Geilman is a Los Angeles native of over 40 years and owner of South Bay Residential.