El Residente
32 Design Wise by Shelagh Duncan
Nine Simple Ways to Make You Happier at Home
I
know, we tell ourselves “We live in paradise – what's there not to be happy about?” However, sometimes we experience some guilt because we don’t feel happy all the time, and that can just make things worse. If you believe that our homes are extensions of who we are, then we have somewhere to start. It follows then, that if we are not happy with ourselves, how can we be happy at home? Perhaps we can turn this around and make our home a happier place to be, so that we in turn, will feel happier about ourselves. Can that be possible? Yes! Scientific studies have shown that what we do with the space we call home, both inside and out, shapes our mood, affects our productivity, and influences our outlook on life. Adjusting the tiny little habits and routines that constitute our daily lives can have an impact on our happiness. In fact, we can use them to affect our happiness. So what options are there, without having to move or redecorate?
The colors we paint our walls, the textures of the fabric we use, and even the artwork on our walls can all influence how we feel. It’s amazing how a few tweaks to our daily habits can become a catalyst for meaningful, positive change. Here are a few simple and inexpensive things you can do every day to feel happier at home.
1. MAKE YOUR BED “When I was researching my book on happiness,” says author Gretchen Rubin, “this was the number one most impactful change that people brought up over and over.” Turns out, people are happier when everyday tasks in their lives are completed. So, given it only takes 30 seconds, it could lend a small sense of accomplishment at the very start of every day.
2. BRING EVERY ROOM BACK TO “READY” This great trick is found in Marilyn Paul’s clever book, It’s Hard to Make a Difference When You Can’t Find Your Keys. It is a known fact that clutter causes stress; order creates a haven from it. This mood-boosting routine is simple; take about three minutes to bring each room back to “ready” before you leave. Unless you have a toddler, or a partner who likes to simulate a scene from one of the disaster movies, three minutes should be enough. Make sure your mirrors are clean and shiny too. This small detail can have a big impact – mirrors reflect the world as you see it.
