It's common knowledge that the places that a person occupies most of the time have major effects on their mental health. This is why many experts study the relationship between physical spaces and people's mental health. If the connection really is strong, then just improving one's home can very much help a person struggling with mental health issues. Don't get it wrong. A home renovation is not the only solution to mental health issues. But no one could deny that it doesn't significantly help.
To help us find ways to improve our home, these are three interior design
styles that can make a positive impact on our mental health. Now, with this
purpose in mind, investing thousands of dollars to fix our homes, from much-needed
water damage restoration to furniture shopping, doesn't sound so bad
after all.
Biophilic Design
We've heard of "bibliophilia" and know that it pertains to the love
for books. But most of us haven't heard about biophilia. It sounds like a
complicated scientific concept. Sure, it can be related to that in one way or
another. But in simple terms, it pertains to the love for nature. Biophilia
highlights the notion that humans have a natural connection (and even attraction)
to the environment. Because of this deep connection, we are opening ourselves
to many positive benefits by simply strengthening our connection to nature.
This is why biophilic designin homes has been becoming
popular in the last few years. Experts have found that spaces that are
surrounded by plants, sunlight, and natural ventilation can lead to these
effects: a 13 percent increase in well-being and an 8 percent increase in
productivity, among others.
So if you are looking to improve your mental health, then perhaps infusing
nature elements into your home design will help. Add more plants. Open more
windows. Incorporate natural colors such as green, blue, and brown.
Minimalist Design
When Marie Kondo captured the world's attention through her bestselling book
and popular TV show on Netflix, she had us asking ourselves one question.
"Does it spark joy?"
It seems like a very mundane question. But it's actually quite packed. When we
would look at simple things in our home such as a couch, table, or, say, our
coin collection, we ask ourselves that question. And then we start to ponder
about our idea of joy and the importance of material possessions. So, yes,
Kondo had us think about philosophical things like that.
Such thoughts have major impacts on our home design. Because we have the urge
to declutter, then we're on our way to having a home with a minimalist design. And this design, too, can
lead to mental health benefits. For one, having fewer objects around us helps
us focus on the things that matter. We're less distracted. In a way, this home
design can benefit those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
can benefit the most.
Nautical Design
There's the stereotype that people who live on the West Coast of the United
States, especially by the beaches, are more laid-back and happy. But many
studies have shown that this isn't merely a stereotype. There are scientific
studies that prove that living by the coast has positive impacts on our mental
health. A study even found that people who live less than a kilometer away from
the beach are 22 percent less likely to struggle with mental
health.
With this information, we can consider the idea that living in a house with a
nautical design can have a good influence on our mental health. Bright colors
such as blue and yellow can make us feel like we're by the ocean. And the idea
of being near it can help us feel calm and content. It also helps that nautical
home design is also very laid-back in nature. So comfortable couches, pillows,
and huge fireplaces are part of its aesthetic. This is good because such things
in our home will also encourage us to take it easy and relax every once in a
while--thus, improving our mental health.
If our homes are stressful, where the tension between the family is always
there, then it won't be surprising if we become stressed as well. And this
stress could easily fuel our depression and anxiety. But then, it's also true
that if a home is peaceful, clean, and maintains a happy atmosphere, then a
person would feel light and positive as well.
Knowing these interior design styles will help us take into serious
consideration our home's effects on our mental health. We shouldn't only focus
on what would look good and what would impress our guests. We should also focus
on how our homes would make us feel.
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