I’m a big believer in home care- that is, the need to create a safe, positive, clean and peaceful environment at home.
A lot of psychologists are starting to encourage their patients to not just practice self-care- the art of caring for your personal, emotional, social and psychological needs- but also home-care.
Essentially, home care acknowledges that our mental health is influenced by our environment. Hence, living in a dark, dingy, cluttered or dirty house is most likely going to have a negative effect on our mood and well-being.
Keep reading to find out ten tips to practice home-care.
1. Let in as much natural light as possible
Are you feeling groggy and tired in the mornings? It could be due to lack of light in your house.
When the sunlight hits our eye’s retina, a chemical reaction occurs, producing chemicals like cortisol that signal to our body we need to be up, active and alert.
Also, having the sunlight light up your home with that morning glow and warm up your body is the perfect morning mood booster. So, as soon as you get up, open those blinds and windows and soak up the sun!
2. Keep your bedroom as your sanctuary
Your bedroom should be the most peaceful room in your house, because it’s where all the good stuff happens!
When you bring your laptop or work material into your bedroom, it immediately violates that peaceful, relaxing space that you really need to wind down at the end of a hard day.
My advice is to keep your bedroom as minimalist as possible, because the less that is in there, the less there is to tidy up every night.
3. Go Marie Kondo and minimize the clutter
Speaking of tidying up, have you thought about what in your house actually brings you joy?
Sometimes, it’s hard to part with those old jeans that you wore when you were fifteen, or those birthday cards from the past ten years- but if these items are taking up unnecessary space in your drawers, then it’s better to thank them for the memories and then let them go!
As a lot of us live in small apartment spaces these days, where storage is scarce, it really is necessary to minimize the clutter.
4. Use candles and diffusers
These days, there are so many options for subtle smelling candles and diffusers. My favourite ones are from Glasshouse and Jo Malone, but there are so many options available!
There is something so pleasant and inviting about burning a candle, and for those worried about the risks of a candle, then a diffuser is a great alternative.
It’s wonderful to not only have your home look good, but smell good too.
5. Put up art and decorations
Art and decorations are a great way to inject some personality into your home, creating an environment that inspires you and reflects your interests.
Art does not have to be expensive- try picking up some gems at your local market and even Ikea sells great prints, like these ones here. Give some love to your home and decorate it with fairy lights, photos, prints and canvases.
6. Have a cleaning schedule- and stick to it!
If you are going to take home care seriously, then you need to start with keeping things clean.
Personally, I do a daily clean of dishes/kitchen/bench tops, a weekly clean of bedrooms/bathrooms and a monthly deep clean of the rest of the house.
Find what works for you and your space and get cleaning!
7. Surround yourself with living things
For Christmas I received my first house plant, a beautiful peace lily.
When I brought it into the house, I realized how much I had missed having a living thing in my home!
House plants, fish, herb gardens, pets- all of these things bring life to your home and can make you happy- especially if, like me, you live in a high-rise apartment without a garden.
8. Up your Hygge
If you haven’t heard of Hygge, then where have you been?!
Hygge is a Danish word that means cozy, comfort and contentment.
Up your Hygge by making your home environment cozy and comfortable- with candles, throws, cushions and a pantry full of yummy treats!
9. Make your bed everyday
This habit is so simple and effective- yet can easily be forgotten.
Coming into your bedroom at the end of a long day, you will thank yourself for making your bed in the morning.
It looks great and makes you feel like an organized adult.
10. Have music playing
One of my favourite things about visiting my grandmother is that she would often have one of her CDs playing- Italian Opera, Dean Martin or classical music.
It created a cheery atmosphere as soon as I walked into her house. With so many apps like Spotify and Youtube Music, you can have your favourite playlists easily playing, as soon as you get home.
So that’s my 10 tips for home-care! At the end of the day, home care is just an extension of self-care. It’s taking the time to love yourself by creating an environment that makes you feel good!
