It’s true that our homes are an extension of who we are and how we create our space and live in it, can shape our mood, affect our productivity, and influence our outlook on life. In fact, scientific studies have shown that we can have an impact on our happiness by simply adjusting our habits and routines that constitute our daily lives.
It’s incredible how a few adjustments to our daily habits can become a catalyst for meaningful, positive change! Here are a few simple things you can do every day to feel happier at home.
Display sentimental items
It’s easy to get swept up in all of the social media trends and allowing it to shape how our homes should look. We are here to tell you that it’s okay to have a home that looks like it’s being lived in, rather than ready for a showing or in some fancy catalogue. Display your sentimental items and make your home a gallery of positive memories, even if it does not fit the status quo.
Make your bed
Making your bed every morning might seem like a tedious task that takes up time that could otherwise be more productively spent but apparently there is more too it. In fact, making your bed, is what’s known as a keystone habit, which according to scientists is essentially a catalyst for other good habits. According to Duhigg, changing or cultivating keystone habits “helps other habits to flourish by creating new structures, and they establish cultures where change becomes contagious.” Therefor, this three minute task, is one of the simplest habits you can adopt to positively impact your happiness.
Reset every room back to “ready”
In Marilyn Paul’s book, It’s Hard to Make a Difference When You Can’t Find Your Keys, she states that it’s a known fact: Clutter causes stress; order creates a haven from it. This simple routine of creating some order in every room before leaving it and bringing each room back to “ready” will help your home maintain a sense of harmony and make it a happier space to enjoy.
Put down some roots
Plants have certainly become a hot home addition in recent years, from the no-fuss succulents to the drapey golden pothos. Beyond their beauty are some incredible health benefits, including the reduced levels of carbon dioxide, certain pollutants, and airborne dust. Indoor plants have also been found to help reduce stress levels, as well as increase both productivity and creativity.
If you can’t get out of it, get into it
This tip comes from The Happiness Project: The dishes are not going to clean themselves, so you will do it, and you will like it. It sounds a bit harsh at first but basically, there are always things we don’t feel like doing but eventually will still have to do at some point, so try to find ways to make it more enjoyable. Turn on some of your favorite music and sing a long, cheer yourself on and maybe even be a little goofy. It might feel forced at first but it’s okay to fake it till you make it on this one!
