RazzWorks

I walk in my back door and immediately feel at ease. The sights, sounds and smells make me feel comfortable and happy. I love being at home!

If you don’t love being at home maybe you need to make a few small changes. Studies show that how you interact with your home greatly impacts your happiness. Fortunately, there are many different approaches that you can take to make your dwelling a source of joy and well-being. In this post, we’ll break down 5 simple strategies you can use to make your home a happier place.

Establish a Comfortable Atmosphere

There are lots of things you can do to insure your home feels like a happy place and each room needs different touches. However, some things apply throughout such as:

Natural Light – Open the curtains and let the sunshine in. It will do great things for your energy levels.

Fresh air – Open the windows and let in fresh air regularly, even in colder temperatures. 10 minutes with an opened window really won’t cool the room off much but the fresh air will be amazing.

Adjustable lighting – dimmer switches are your friend. Alternatively have multiple light sources of various wattages so you can switch between them. Dim light is best for relaxing and has a soothing effect while bright lights are good for energy. We rarely turn on bright lights in the living room as that’s where we relax. In the morning though I like to turn on the bright overhead light in the kitchen to energize me.

Music – Throw on some of your favourite tunes. Music is scientifically proven to lift moods because it releases dopamine and other feel-good hormones, especially if it’s music from your younger days. Maybe it brings back those feelings of youth but whatever the reason it works. Put on energizing music while you’re doing housework or exercising and soft relaxing music while you soak in the tub or read in your cozy corner.

Smells – I don’t know about you but I find smells particularly mood-influencing. Research reveals that certain scents, like citrus and floral, can help reduce stress and uplift your mood. They can bring back memories from long ago and cause feelings associated with those memories. So whether it’s your favourite essential oil, incense, perfume or fresh flowers try to infuse those aromas into your rooms to create a happier atmosphere. Maybe you just need to bake some bread or chocolate chip cookies!

Colours – The colour of your room can be an incredibly powerful tool for affecting mood. Decorate your walls with hues like blues and greens to enhance calm, peace and a sense of serenity in the room. Bright yellows and oranges can create an energizing environment and encourage stimulating conversations and activities. Whether you go for bold and vibrant, or subtle and neutral, no matter what shades you choose, adding colour to your home will help you create the atmosphere you desire.

Rid Your Home of Clutter

Decluttering isn’t just about tidying up — it’s about creating a life that is intentional and sustainable. It’s about being mindful of the items you keep and the choices you make. Taking the time to ask yourself whether something will bring value to your life is a simple but powerful first step.

Make decluttering a part of your everyday routine and you’ll be surprised at the peace of mind it brings. Take 2 minutes before you leave a room to put away items that are out of place. Your environment, in turn, will influence your decisions, mindset, and overall well-being. When you declutter your space you’ll see your productivity, creativity, and happiness soar!

Upgrade Your Home with Things You Love

Breathe life into your home with little touches of nostalgia. Add framed family photos that you can switch out seasonally, exhibit your collection of vintage books, or display meaningful trinkets and souvenirs. Let your home reflect who you are and what you love!

For me, I love to put up photos of family, especially my grandchildren. In the past when they made me lots of artwork I even made a gallery wall to display all the pictures and crafts they made for me. I also love books so always have a bookshelf full of my favourites as well as a display of antique books passed down through my family, some of which are well over 100 years old. This is a connection to my roots that gives me comfort and makes my house feel like home.

Foster Meaningful Connections in Your Home

It takes effort and commitment to stay connected with family and friends, especially when the usual ways of doing so are no longer available. Here are a few practical ways to keep meaningful relationships alive and well:

A) Pick up the phone and call someone. A simple phone call can bring so much joy and comfort to someone who needs to hear from you. And don’t let the fear of an awkward conversation get in your way. A few minutes of your time can make all the difference in someone’s day.

B) Ask questions and let the other person talk. Show a genuine interest in their life. Give the person a chance to express themselves and let them know that you’re there to listen.

C) Practice gratitude and appreciation. Think of ways to thank people for being in your life. Express your gratitude and insure sure they know how much they mean to you.

Every day take a moment to show appreciation to your loved ones and make meaningful connections.

Nourish Your Home with Nature

Choosing to nourish your home with nature can also boost your mood. The colours, scents, and textures found in nature will help you feel grounded and productive. Consider adding accents like nature-inspired wall art, stones, feathers, seashells, and wood pieces to bring your natural surroundings into your living space. Not only is this aesthetically pleasing, but it can do wonders for your mental health.

Plants also help to filter the air giving off oxygen while using up the carbon dioxide that we exhale. It’s a perfect give-and-take relationship plus plants have been proven to lower stress and improve mood. Just be sure to choose the right kind for the lighting conditions and humidity level of the room.

I’m not very good at keeping plants alive but I continue to try. I only have one at the moment that has survived my TLC. The good news is that experts say artificial plants have pretty much the same effect on our mood and stress levels just without the air-filtering quality of the real thing.

Bringing nature inside is an invigorating and affordable way to boost your well-being. Nourish your home with nature, and reap the rewards that come with it!

Overall, your home can be a powerful source of joy and well-being if you prioritize making it an inviting and relaxing space. By establishing a comfortable atmosphere, getting rid of clutter, decorating with things you love, fostering meaningful connections, and nourishing it with nature, you can make your home a place of peace, joy, and happiness.

Take action today and make your home a happier place. What’s the first step you’ll take? Leave a comment to let us know!