Between sleeping, working, and relaxing, the average person spends 50 to 80 percent of their week in their home. That amounts to thousands of hours per year. The question is, have you ever paused long enough to consider whether or not the home you’re living in has a positive or negative contribution to your health? Because believe it or not, there’s a pretty significant correlation between your physical environment and your mental health.
Understanding the Importance of Environment in Mental Health
In the 21st century, we’re acutely aware of the fact that physical environments have an impact on physical health. We discourage smoking indoors because of the correlation between secondhand smoke and lung cancer. We no longer use asbestos in buildings because of its relationship with mesothelioma. But it’s time we give the same level of attention and focus to the intersection of physical environments and mental health.
The environments you’re in – whether home, office, coffee shop, park, or crowded airport – play significant roles in shaping how you think and feel. They contribute to your stress and anxiety, as well as your peace and comfort. Environments interact with your sensory perceptions and influence mood, sleep patterns, stress levels, and even cognitive functions.
For example, a crowded or cluttered space can make you feel anxious and confined, which impacts your ability to focus and be productive. And if you’re exposed to this environment on a continuous basis, it eventually has a permanent impact on the way you think and feel.
Several research studies underscore the relationship between our environment and mental health. For instance, a study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that access to natural light in a home can significantly boost mood and reduce depressive symptoms. Another study in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine showed that those living in noisy environments often reported higher levels of stress and poorer sleep quality.
The more you understand the connection between environment and mental health, the more seriously you’ll take home design and architecture.
Which Home Design Elements Impact Mental Health?
Every element within the home works together to impact the mental health and energy of the people inside the property. However, certain elements have greater influence than others.
- Layout. The layout of a home and how the space is used can significantly influence our psychological comfort. Open and spacious designs tend to create an atmosphere of freedom and can reduce feelings of confinement, which can lower stress levels. On the contrary, cramped and cluttered spaces can induce a sense of disorder and chaos, leading to anxiety and stress.
- Color and light. Natural light is directly linked to improved mood, alertness, and sleep patterns. The same goes for neutral and cool shades of paint, which have a calming effect. By contrast, warmer tones like bright reds and yellows stimulate creativity and energy.
- Noise control. Homes that do a good job of mitigating external noise and dampening sound travel between different spaces typically result in happier homeowners and guests. Loud, open spaces, on the other hand, make it harder to focus.
Practical Tips for Better Home Design
Whether you’re a designer, builder, architect, homeowner, psychologist, or someone who simply likes to be healthy and happy, it’s helpful to understand how to tailor a space in such a way that it positively impacts mental health. Here are some ideas:
- Prioritize natural light over artificial light. When designing your home, try to incorporate as much natural light as possible. This can be achieved by choosing open layouts, using lighter curtains, and placing mirrors strategically to reflect sunlight. If it’s an option, skylights and larger windows can also greatly increase the amount of natural light in your home.
- Soundproof your house. Soundproofing goes beyond layout and design. Material choices also matter. If you live on a busy road, double-glazed windows are helpful. If you’re worried about sound transfer from one room to the next, better-insulated walls and heavy curtains/wall art can help. And if you have a home office, choose a room that’s located in the quietest part of the house.
- Personalize without cluttering. Personalizing your space is essential, but try to avoid creating clutter. Use shelving to display personal items or collectibles. Create a rotating display of photographs or artwork instead of trying to show everything at once. Remember, the aim is to express your personality while still maintaining a sense of calm and order.
Adding it All Up
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to designing a home. However, if you prioritize the elements highlighted in this article, you’ll find it easier to create a stress-free space that’s conducive to positive mental health. Give it a try and see what you think!
