How to make a mental health haven in your very own home!

MAKE A MENTAL HEALTH HAVEN IN YOUR HOME.

By Jo Kingsley |

In the midst of the current mental health crisis, it’s more important than ever to make time for self-care and find peaceful spaces to clear the mind and recharge the batteries. But when time is scarce and your finances simply won’t allow you to indulge in a yoga retreat atop a Nepalese mountain, where do you begin? Well like a lot of things, you begin at home. With so much time spent out and about, from work to the gym, ferrying kids around or running errands, we often forget the importance of our own homes on our mental health. They shouldn’t just be a place to crash and binge on the latest boxsets –they should be our own little healing sanctuary. Here are my top tips for making your home a haven that your mental health will thank you for.

We all know that colour can stimulate different responses and affect our mood. So what colours should we be using to create a calm and restful space in our home? It sounds counter-intuitive but, despite all the old adages ("feeling blue", "baby blues", "singing the blues" etc) many studies have found blue to be most associated with calmness and relaxation. In fact, in a recent study conducted by papermakers G.F. Smith, in association with the University of Sussex, navy blue was found to be the most relaxing colour in the world.Grey has grown in popularity in recent years and a soft tone can also be extremely soothing. You can either keep it neutral by accessorising with serene white or bring a touch of comfort with a warm purple as I’ve done in my own bedroom. Just be prepared for your Mother to think you've lost it. A grey bedroom? GREY??!If you’re not sure you want to fully commit to the boldness of a blue or grey colour scheme, you can always start with a feature wall, accessories or soft furnishings and go from there. CREATE CALM WITH COLOUR

LED spotlights might be bang on trend and environmentally friendly, but they are certainly not relaxing. Certain types of light can actually affect our circadian rhythm and both our mental and physical health, so it’s important to get the lighting in your home right.Natural light is best for us, so make sure blinds and curtains are kept open in daylight to maximise your exposure. (Just remember not to walk around your house naked).Try installing dimmer switches (if your electrics allow) to give you a little more control over bright overhead lighting, and investing in floor lamps, which give off a much softer light and can be easily repositioned. Ensure that you’re switching off mobiles, computers, tablets and flat screen TVs well before bedtime to allow your body to recover from the blue light they emit, and if you use a Kindle to read at night, protect your eyes by switching to the soft light function.Finally, invest in a Himalayan salt lamp (make sure you buy certified from a reputable source). They are believed to have various health benefits, such as helping you sleep, cleaning the air, soothing allergies and boosting your mood. SEE THE LIGHT

Unless you live in a mansion (we can dream, can't we?) you probably don't have enough space to transform a few rooms into dedicated relaxation areas. So the key is to use your space creatively and flexibly, and have a selection of items that can be stored away but can make a huge difference in the event of a wellness emergency.Try purchasing a bath caddy to instantly transform a standard bath into an indulgent mini spa.Make a permanent space in your wardrobe or drawers for a little basket and fill it with all your favourite treats, whether it's nice candles and face masks or posh chocolate and wine, so that you always have a personal happiness kit ready for those tough days.Simple things like a yoga mat, special blankets and a few essential oils means that, with the help of a zen playlist and a little imagination, you can transform your room into a mini spa retreat at any given moment and still have it packed away again by dinner time. MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR SPACE

GET BACK TO NATURE

From forest bathing to soaking up vitamin D in the sun, getting out into nature is good for our minds and bodies. So how can we cheat, and snatch up a bit of nature's goodness in the comfort of our own homes? Start by bringing the outside inside and fill your home with plants. As well as being beautiful and relaxing to look at, they can help to naturally purify and filter the air in your home and increase oxygen, resulting in a healthier, happier you.But if you’re like me and struggle to keep your kids alive, let alone an indoor jungle, why not invest in some good quality fake plants? You can now get a huge array of false flowers, pot plants and even cacti that you’d struggle to tell weren’t real. OK, so you won’t get the physical health benefits, but you’ll still enjoy all the mental ones.And if all else fails, try painting your bedroom or living room green –it follows closely behind blue as one of the best colours for tranquillity. DO YOUR OWN THING

We all love a bit of Pinterest inspiration, but don't let social media anxiety ruin your safe space. Your home doesn't have to be ultra chic Scandi, nor do you have to Marie Kondo your house until there's nothing left. It's your home and it's there to make you happy and at ease. Whilst clutter isn’t great for mental health, being surrounded by the things that make you you will always cheer your soul.