4 Simple Tips for supporting Wellbeing In Your Space
So your new year is off to a great start, you are making healthier choices when it comes to your diet, being more active, and exercising your mindest! Kudos to you!
But there’s a but, your built environment matters too!
Supporting wellbeing in your space greatly influences your overall physical, mental, and emotional health. Wellbeing is the state of balance or alignment in body, mind, and spirit. In this state, we feel content; connected to purpose, people, and community; peaceful and energized; resilient and safe.
1. Reduce Clutter to Relieve Stress
As a mom of 3 boys, I can totally understand how challenging it can be to keep a home decluttered. Here’s where we tackle one room at a time. The best way to support wellbeing in this area is to implement the Lean Six Sigma 5s tools to reduce stress and become more efficient. This is how it works, if you have storage bins great, if not still great, grab 2 laundry bins and start sorting your belongings into 2 categories: DONATE and KEEP. When you release the objects that no longer spark joy, all the energy that has been bound in them is set free. In order to keep the space clean, set a tidy-up reminder to help you develop a routine to stay on track. Now, can you imagine the feeling of lightness as you enter the room? The fact that you can breathe and the control that comes with a decluttered space is priceless.😉
2. Implement Organization to Improve Daily Living
After 2 decades in the clinical laboratory setting, I firsthand understand the power of organizing. Everything had a place and if not, we were creating one. Thanks, CHOA for the Lean Six Sigma training🙌🏾! Getting organized can definitely enhance your health and wellbeing. An easy place to start is by creating spaces for daily items to live in, like your shoes, the remote, even your keys because I too have lost so much time looking for these things. Did you know Ikea did a study on how much time we lose looking for these inanimate objects? 6.5 months of our lives, yikes! It can most certainly take the flow out of one's routine. Purchasing cute little bins or beautifully stained wicker storage baskets can help you establish the freedom that comes with structure. You will be able to find things quickly and it will be so much easier to maintain.
3. Explore Colors to Elevate Moods
Color is a powerful tool used to influence mood and enhance wellbeing. It can perform a multitude of roles and can affect your emotions, energy level, and sense of order. It relaxes and excites us! Did you know there are over 6million colors discernible to the human eye? The science behind color plays an important part in the way we choose colors for our space that best fit our mood, function, and personalities. Colors fall into 2 categories, warm and cool. On walls, warm colors can make a room feel cozy and inviting. They are considered to be energy boosters because they draw in the eyes. On walls, cool colors can make a room feel spacious and calm as well and are somewhat soothing to the core. These shades are ideal for promoting deep and pensive thoughts. True neutrals like black, white, and gray don't have a place on the color ring but they make a huge impact in decorating a space.
4. Use Design Elements that Uplift and Inspire
Ok so let's get to my favorite part, your surroundings should always energetically support your wellbeing. The power of great interior design can evoke positive vibes through the objects we bring into our spaces. We often use soft textures for cozy security, clean lines for freshness, and organic items for a breathable touch of nature. When these decor elements are balanced, they help the space feel exactly right by creating an abundance of ease, comfort, familiarity, and warmth. To uplift and inspire, create zones throughout your homes like tech-free zones, meditation zones, or even quiet zones to turn off the world. How we feel affects how we function. We are overstimulated on a daily basis so we need spaces that reduce stress, nurture, and support our overall health and wellbeing.
5. Bonus: Prevent Muscle Strains to Increase Productivity
We are spending 90% more time indoors so that means more of us are working from home. So how can we best support our wellbeing in this situation? Make sure to invest in a good chair that supports your body weight and posture. Aesthetically pleasing does not fit the bill after sitting for long blocks of time. Also, remember the 20/20/20 rule: Sit at least 20 inches away from the computer screen, look away for 20 seconds and look as far as 20 feet away. This will help you prevent eyestrains after prolonged screentime and increase your productivity. Eyestrains cause sore tired eyes, blurred visions, headaches, difficulty concentrating, and more.
Wellbeing Design is designing spaces for the wellbeing of human beings. Spaces can be designed to support your comfort and allow wellbeing to be experienced, but it is a choice not a given.
XOXO ~ Martha
We believe good interior design heals.
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