Your mental health is key to living a productive and positive life. However, it can seem as though the world is filled with elements that disrupt this wellness. The good news is that there are multiple accessible tools you can use to support your psychological well-being. One of the most frequently overlooked of these tools is room design. Creating an area in your home dedicated to your mental wellness can be an invaluable resource. The interior design decisions you make can enhance your energy, positivity, and general well-being. Let’s look a little closer at the importance of designing a space with your mental wellness in mind, alongside some key considerations for an effective approach.
Prioritizing Your Needs
One of the reasons people avoid using a space in their home for their mental health is that — from the inside — it can feel self-indulgent. Yet, it’s important to recognize that spaces are like any other resource in your life. They’re best utilized when you prioritize them based on your needs. Consider what primary challenges you’re currently facing in your life that impact your daily mental wellness. You can then match these to the design resources that can genuinely make an impact. For instance, studies have shown that rooms with access to more sunlight improve quality of sleep, which is vital for mood regulation. A space in a busy household that is designed to always be clear of clutter can be a calming influence and may reduce anxiety related to work.
Remember that the space doesn’t need to be an entire room. You can adapt a portion of an existing shared area to have components dedicated to your mental health priorities. If you are using an entire room, you can also share this with other family members. You can each have zones in the area geared toward your individual priorities.
Supporting Healthy Habits
There is a tendency when designing mentally healthy spaces to focus purely on the atmosphere of the area. This is certainly an important element. However, it’s important to think about how the room practically supports you in your wellness efforts, too. One of the primary components of self-care is developing a range of healthy habits. This isn’t about occasionally exercising or practicing mindfulness, rather, it’s committing to performing these regularly. By taking a habit-forming approach to these self-care elements, you may be more likely to stick with them in the long term. This, of course, results in a more meaningful impact on your mental wellness.
So, it’s important to consider how to design your room to best support this healthy, habit-forming behavior. Can you keep it stocked with nutritional snacks to make it easier for you to avoid junk food? Perhaps you could have a separate music device in the room that is already loaded up with the music or guided meditation you need to move into your mindfulness routines.
Increasing Positive Energy
Your energy levels are likely to be key to maintaining a high standard of mental wellness. After all, when you’re feeling run down, this can exacerbate or trigger symptoms of depression or anxiety. There are various causes of low energy levels from prolonged experiences of burnout to relationship troubles. Alongside common ways to restore energy, such as limiting technology and regular exercise, the interior design of your mentally healthy space can have a positive impact.
This can begin with the color choices you utilize in the space. If you find you lack motivation, high-contrast oranges and reds are considered to be associated with dynamism and positivity. If your lack of energy is due to burnout, you may find colors more conducive to relaxation, such as soft blues and natural greens effective.
Including plants as part of your interior design can also have a good impact on your energy. This can be effective for multiple reasons. The colors of flowers and the natural green of plants can boost your mood. Houseplants can also reduce toxins in the air and improve oxygenation, which can aid your physical health, in turn bolstering your energy.
Conclusion
Dedicating a room to your mental wellness can become a vital resource for you and your family. Wherever possible be led by your mental health priorities, making choices in line with specific needs. Take a practical approach too, incorporating elements that support healthy habits. Remember that color selection and the inclusion of houseplants can bolster your energy in ways that help you combat burnout. With a little knowledge and planning, you can create an effective space that contributes to your long-term health.
