With many of us working from home or self-isolating due to illness or vulnerability, the reality of being indoors for most of the day is here. Even if you love your house, you are going to need strategies for staying sane and looking after your well-being at home. Here are a few tips to prevent cabin fever and promote a sense of clam and serenity.
Architecture
“Research has shown that the built environment tends to support our wellbeing best when it echoes the natural world in some way. And it’s not just about how many trees there are! It’s also about factors like light, pattern, dimension and sound,” say Lily Bernheimer in her book The Shaping of Us: How Everyday Spaces Structure our Lives, Behaviour. Biophilic design has been on the increase and many designers are using a holistic approach to their design work.
Image from Amara - expert advice: home office design tips
Community
It may be important to create a sanctuary in your home but it is also important to feel connected to the outside world. Being part of your local community is key to this. Having a relationship with your neighbours and wider locality can stop the feelings of isolation and loneliness. Residents groups, neighbourhood watch, running errands for the elderly, charity work – all these things can connect you with your community. Platforms like Nextdoor are proving invaluable for promoting community spirit and providing real support.
WFH
Asking your home to double as your workspace brings all sorts of challenges: maintaining separation, the potential for loneliness and lack of routine if you are not used to this. I work from my home office to run my business so have a fabulous space designed especially for my needs. However, finding room for more than one at work or having to give up your established office for one who needs it more…..diplomacy is the only solution. Make sure you have good light and a comfortable chair – everything else will fall into place.
Dee Camplings office corner
Scent
Filling your house with beautiful aromas can be very therapeutic – whether its smelly candles, incense or fresh flowers – or even good coffee will help to reduce stress.
Greenery
Bring the outside in with greenery – if you don’t have a view with trees and flowers then having house plants can really lift your mood. Amazingly, faux plants can do the same so if you don’t have green fingers then go for trailing plants in hanging baskets of big palms or even an indoor tree.
Music
Whether you are a jazz or hip-hop person, having music around the house is fantastic for being soothing or bringing energy to whatever you are doing. I like a bit of house music when cooking – my clubbing days may be over but I still like to throw a few shapes around the kitchen. Classical for concentrating on designs works fabulously for me. Something to sing along to for winding down.
Fun for all - image from Pinterest
Cooking
Cooking is a creative process which also comes with a sense of achievement and one in which you can also taste the fruits of your labours. Being at home with more time allows you to experiment on new recipes or attempting complicated techniques that you usually have little time for. Competition with family members – have a bake off!
Gardening
If you are lucky enough to have a garden then then use it as much as possible – sitting in the sunshine listening to the birds is good for the soul – glass of something cold doesn’t hurt either……………I am growing salad leaves in a mobile greenhouse – basically a set of shelves with a fitted plastic coat. This is great for anyone with a fragile back – seeing the little shoots is very rewarding – could be a while before anything is big enough to pick. If you only have a window sill then try growing herbs - great for greenery and great for scent - taste good too!