How Your Home Environment Affects Your Mental Health – And How to Improve It!
This World Mental Health Day, Thursday 10th October 2024, it's essential to remember that your surroundings can have a profound impact on your wellbeing.
The theme for this year's World Mental Health Day is Mental Health at Work, but seeing as our work is homes, we wanted to dedicate this opportunity to addressing how our personal environments can significantly influence our mental health. Whether you're planning a house move, or simply looking to make some improvements to your overall wellbeing, below we've explored some of the key ways your property can affect your mental health and the steps you can take to create a more peaceful and supportive environment.
1. Clutter and Stress: How Your Space Can Overwhelm You
A cluttered space often leads to a cluttered mind. Studies, including Saxbe and Repetti (2009), have found that excessive mess in the home can increase levels of the stress hormone cortisol, making you feel anxious and overwhelmed.
Solution:
Start by decluttering one area at a time. Donate or recycle items you no longer need and consider creating dedicated storage spaces to keep your home tidy. Simple, minimalistic spaces tend to promote calm and mental clarity. Furthermore, decluttering your home is not only a great way to help with your mental health, but also a house sale. If you’re planning to sell in 2025, decluttering now will prepare your home for a stunning marketing presentation come the new year.
Amber Makey, New Homes Consultant, adds,
"There are a wide range of charity shops across Sussex that would absolutely love to receive your pre-loved items. If you’re looking to make some additional pocket money, apps like Vinted and Depop make selling easy. eBay have also just updated their policy, and have removed seller fees!"
Additional Resources:
There are a plethora of resources online to help you declutter and streamline your environment, from Marie Kondo's KonMari Method, to forums, YouTube videos and articles. Take some time to research how best do de-clutter and you may save you a great deal of stress and time.
2. The Stress of Moving: Are House Moves Stressful?
Moving house is often cited as one of life’s most stressful events. A survey conducted by Legal and General found that moving house was identified as the most stressful life event across all age categories. The uncertainty, disruption, and the sheer volume of tasks can trigger negative emotions.
Solution:
Plan your house move well in advance, breaking down your lists of tasks into manageable steps. Hiring a professional removal service or asking friends for help can reduce the burden. Decluttering your home prior to your move can also significantly decrease the labour required by the move itself. Staying organised is the key here. You can create a timeline and tick off tasks to feel more in control, reducing the impact on your mental health.
Additional Resources:
- Beneden Health: 7 Ways to Reduce the Stress of Moving Home
- Independent: 10 Ways to Make Packing for a House Move Less Stressful
- Zoopla: Top Tips for a Stress-free Home Move
James Hamblyn, Head of Commercial Agency, adds,
"When moving home, make sure to have easy access to your bedding and make your bed as early as possible. This way, the thought of a comfortable oasis can get you through your move day and you can crawl into bed stress-free at the end of a long day!"
3. Lighting and Mood: How Natural Light Can Boost Your Well-Being
Lack of natural light is linked to Seasonal Affective Disorder, (NHS, 2022), and can exacerbate feelings of depression and fatigue. Dark or poorly lit homes may contribute to a gloomy, low-energy atmosphere.
Solution:
Improve mental health at home by maximising natural light. Open blinds and curtains during the day and consider adding mirrors to reflect light around the room. If natural light is limited, try daylight bulbs to mimic sunlight and create a brighter, more inviting space.
4. Noise Pollution: Quiet Your Mind by Quieting Your Space
Living in a noisy environment—whether due to traffic, construction, or loud neighbours—can increase stress and disturb sleep patterns. Over time, this noise pollution can negatively affect your mental health (Westman and Walters, 1981).
Solution:
If you're facing a noisy environment, soundproofing may help. Thick curtains, carpets, or even acoustic panels can reduce noise. Alternatively, white noise machines or calming music can mask unwanted sounds, helping to create a more peaceful atmosphere at home. If you have space at the front of your property, adding a green barrier may also help to dampen road noise.
5. The Pressure to Maintain: How Household Chores Can Be Mentally Draining
Managing household chores can feel like an endless task, leading to mental fatigue, especially for those juggling work, family, and a personal life. The pressure to maintain an immaculate home can lead to feelings of inadequacy. The unfortunate irony of this is that dirty or untidy homes can also contribute to feelings of stress, anxiety, disappointment and low self-esteem, all contributing to worsened mental health.
Solution:
Break down household tasks into smaller, manageable chunks, and share responsibilities with family members or housemates. Consider hiring cleaning help if your schedule allows. It’s important to remember that your home doesn’t need to be perfect—focus on making it comfortable for you.
Fleur Walsh, Marketing Coordinator, adds,
"A key coping mechanism that has helped me keep on top of household chores has been the One Touch Method. I keep up with tidying by putting things away immediately and in the correct place which ensures that tasks don't add up as quickly."
6. Creating Personal Space: Finding a Place for Solitude
In busy households, it can be difficult to find a place for solitude. However, not having a personal space can increase stress levels and prevent proper mental rest.
Solution:
Designate a small space in your home for relaxation, even if it’s just a corner of a room. Add calming elements like comfortable seating, plants, and soft lighting. This space should be free from distractions, allowing you to focus on your mental health and giving you room (both physically and mentally) for proper mental rest.
7. Gardens and Green Spaces: Nature’s Antidote to Stress
The link between improved mental health and time spent in and around nature is well documented, as reviewed by Jimenez et al. Having access to green spaces, whether it’s a garden, balcony, or even house plants, has been shown to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. Nature has a calming effect on the brain, helping to improve mood and mental clarity.
Solution:
If you’re lucky enough to have a garden, spend time outdoors daily. We know, not the easiest task to complete in UK weather, however, even a 15 minute walk around the neighbourhood can help. For smaller spaces, create a window garden with house plants or flowers. Even small touches of greenery can help improve your connection with nature and reduce stress.
8. Temperature and Comfort: How Being Too Hot or Too Cold Affects Your Mood
If your home is too hot or too cold, it can disrupt sleep and leave you feeling irritable or uncomfortable, (NHS, 2024). A study by Public Health Wales concluded that cold temperatures in the home are linked to worse health outcomes. Temperature control is essential for maintaining a sense of comfort and well-being at home.
Solution:
Ensure your home’s temperature is properly regulated. Insulate your home to prevent drafts, use fans or air conditioning in the summer, and invest in a good heating system for the winter. If you're renting, a high quality heated blanket can help to keep things cosy! Good sleep hygiene is also crucial—keep your bedroom at a comfortable temperature to promote better rest. Documenting what works best for you can be a great resource for proper temperature regulation at home. We can all experience temperature differently, therefore understanding what your body responds to and how can ensure the right temperature for the best comfort.
Additional Resources:
9. Personal Style: How Decorating Can Enhance Your Mood
The aesthetics of your home—such as colour schemes and decor—can influence your emotions. Research suggests that certain colours can evoke specific moods, like calmness, energy, or even anxiety. One famous experiment involving colour that you may have come across is that of Baker-Miller pink. This work, although controversial, is one of many that evidences the strong relationship between colour and mood.
Solution:
Choose colours and designs that align with how you want to feel in each room. Soft, muted tones in the bedroom can promote relaxation, while brighter, energising colours can work well in home offices. Surround yourself with decor and objects that make you happy.
Additional Resources:
- Rockfon: Interior Colour Design for Wellbeing
- Sophie Robinson: What is Colour Psychology for Interiors
- BBC: Psychology of Colour
10. A Sense of Ownership: Feeling Safe and Secure at Home
Owning or renting a home that feels secure can provide a vital sense of stability and control, both of which are important for mental health. On the flip side, a home that feels unsafe or unstable can contribute to feelings of anxiety.
Solution:
Invest in good-quality locks, security systems, or even lighting to enhance the safety of your home. If you’re in the process of buying or renting, prioritise properties that offer a sense of security, whether through location, community, or safety features.
Final Thoughts
Your home is much more than a place to live—it’s a space that can profoundly impact your mental well-being. By making small adjustments, whether during a house move or simply improving your current property, you can create a home environment that nurtures your mental health.
Whilst we are property experts, we aren't mental health experts. The advice in this article has been research and referenced and provides some good tips of how small changes could help improve your mental health. However, if you are struggling, please speak to a medical professional. More resources can be found at MIND.