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Your home has a deeper impact on your mental health than you might realise. It does more than just offer you shelter; the space you live in can influence your mood, energy levels, and your ability to relax or focus. Whether you’re renting an apartment in the city or own your home in the suburbs, small changes to your living environment can make a big change to how you feel every day.
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Creating Restorative Spaces At Home
One of the most effective ways to support emotional well-being at home is to create dedicated spaces for relaxation, focus, and play. Even if only a small section of a room is set aside for enjoyment, you will find a positive change in your stress levels and mood. This could be a reading nook, a music corner, or transforming the garage into a space for hobbies like painting or gaming.
Online entertainment has become a popular way for people to unwind without having to leave the house. Online gaming, including multi-player games and casino platforms, offers fun and social connection. Those who enjoy online games can explore trusted Bitcoin casinos in Australia. They provide a secure, regulated space to play various games with the potential to win big, all while protecting your privacy. Having a designated gaming setup with a comfortable chair, ergonomic keyboard and mouse, and low noise will make the space more relaxing and create a boundary between work and leisure.
The Psychology of Space
The psychology of space is defined as “the study of human relations and behaviours within the context of the built and natural environments”.
Our brains tend to instinctively respond to our environment, whether at home or out and about. Cluttered, dirty, or noisy spaces can trigger anxiety, while clean or orderly spaces can lower stress levels. Natural light, fresh air, and even certain textures can positively influence mood. For example, wooden surfaces coupled with soft fabrics and indoor greenery will deliver a comforting sensory experience.
The way your home is laid out from an architectural aspect will also impact your mental state. Open-plan homes promote communication and connection, while having smaller corners dedicated as “quiet zones” or personal areas can help you recharge. Bringing the natural world inside, through stone and wood, water features, and plants, can help individuals feel calmer, making the home feel like a sanctuary.
Even scent and sound play a role. You might not realise it, but a burning scented candle and some unintrusive background music can boost your mood subconsciously.
Boundaries And Balance
Many Australians are working from home either full-time or part-time. This has allowed personal and professional lives to blend, which is not always a good thing. The sofa becomes the desk, and emails are being sent late into the night. All this makes it harder to clock out at the end of the day, which can erode your mental health.
That’s why it’s so important to create physical boundaries at home. It doesn’t have to be a separate room. You can use a folding screen to designate a portion of your lounge as your office, or simply sit on a specific chair that is only used for work and not leisure. Avoid working in your bedroom or any other relaxation area to help ensure a work-life balance.
Similarly, you need to create boundaries for your leisure areas. Make sure to set time aside for reading or other hobbies that don’t involve staring at a screen to allow your brain to rest and reset. These activities lower cortisol levels and will improve your sleep.
Findings Of “Place Attachment”
“Place of attachment” is an emotional bond that forms between a person and a place. Your living space should reflect who you are, including your values and personality. Place of attachment theory suggests that people experience more comfort, confidence, and even resilience when their homes reflect who they truly are.
This can be expressed through art, photos, books, and favourite colours. Your personal items will remind me of what you value, who you love, and who you are, especially when you’re feeling isolated and stressed. The goal is not to create a perfect home, but an authentic one. Having a functional home is fine, but why not have one that doubles as a space that supports your mental health?
There’s no need to renovate to establish a positive place of attachment. You can swap bright white lights for softer yellow tones, buy a few houseplants, and toss a blanket over the couch. It’s all about making the home feel more like you.
Final Thoughts
Your house is where you live, but your home is the emotional connection with your living space. You spend hours each day in your home, working, socialising, relaxing, and having fun. It’s important that your home is a space designed with your mental well-being in mind.
