Your surroundings matter for your mental health! Use these 4 ways to optimize your space

Our days are literally a blur — we juggle our personal and professional lives like manic pixies, so much so that we hardly have any time in our hands. No wonder, our mental health is steadily declining. There are several ways to help you feel better, including therapy, meditation, exercise, and even a healthy diet. Spending time with close friends and family is also an instant mood lifter. But did you know that prepping up your living spaces can help you a great deal with mental health?

Yes, it’s true! It can make a world of a difference. You could bring in some plants, clear the clutter, add some colour, and you’ll notice that you feel more charged!

Here are some ways in which you can refresh your space to improve your mental health:

1. Sunlight is important
It might seem trivial but just a little sun can bring out your ‘sunny’ mood, and end the doom and gloom! Just a few minutes of sunshine, and you are sorted. That’s because getting sunshine increases your production of vitamin D, and regulates your sleep (hello, melatonin), and your mood instantly gets better! Moreover, regular exposure to sunlight increases the production of serotonin.

“Not many know that depression mimics symptoms of vitamin D deficiency. Those who don’t get the sunshine vitamin have higher levels of stress, and suffer from various physiological and mental health issues,” shares Priyanka Rahane, a Pune-based psychologist, with HealthShots.

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Try your best to move your workspace close to a window. In fact, you could also place a mirror in a strategic manner to reflect the sunlight.

2. Remove clutter
Haven’t we all jokingly said that we function amid the chaos? Some genuinely believe in that, but clutter can definitely harm you.

“We treat clutter as harmless, but that’s not true. Being surrounded by unnecessary items can really take a toll on your mental health. To find the things you need becomes a task (more so when you hardly have any time), plus you also face embarrassment. Sometimes, just so many things lying around can weigh you down,” adds Rahane.

Declutter by taking out everywhere, put aside or give away stuff that you don’t need, and keep the rest back.

3. Make your living spaces artsy
Redesigning your spaces isn’t just exciting, but can do a lot of good to your mental health. Of course, there are certain pieces that might catch your attention, but having a painting or a landscape print in your bedroom or living room could make a difference. It will make you feel calm when you look at it.

As per a research study conducted in 2013, viewing nature scenes positively can really affect your mental health, and de-stress you. It could be anything from going to the mountains to just a walk in the greenest corner of your neighbourhood.

You could also add family photos, in whichever room you spend the most time in.

4. Add plants to your rooms
What comes to mind when you see plants? Don’t you instantly feel calm? Well, how about bringing this positivity right into your homes? Not only are they aesthetically striking, but they also freshen the air, as they release oxygen. Indoor greenery has several health benefits, and when you incorporate it in your home, you will know!

There’s research to testify to this fact! A 2015 study that appeared in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology concluded that being in proximity to indoor plants can help to tackle high-stress levels. So, get yourself plants like aloe vera, bamboo palm, or snake plant today!