As the self-care craze is sweeping the nation, we're becoming more aware that the look, feel and contents of a home can have a huge impact on wellness. How can you create a mood-boosting haven, we hear you ask? Grazia will show you how in seven simple steps...
1. Banish Indoor Airborne Pollution
Grazia's Healthy(ish) columnist Susannah Taylor points out that 'we often only think about road traffic as pollution, however our homes can be very polluted too. There are many types of indoor airborne pollution from microscopic particles of dust and dirt in the air, to gases such as nitrogen dioxide which is emitted when we cook on gas hobs. Other indoor airborne pollution can come from everyday activities such as pollen from flowers, lighting candles, or even cleaning your house with chemical-based cleaning products.'
In fact, it's been proven that indoor airborne pollution can be up to x5 worse than outdoor air pollution.¹ So, considering that on average we spend up to 90% of our time indoors, it's wise to take steps to help banish indoor airborne pollution. Enter: Dyson's Pure Hot + Cool Advanced Technology purifier.
To improve the quality of the air that we breathe indoors at home, Dyson's clever piece of tech offers air purification, as well as heating and a cooling fan. How? Well, the purifier boasts a unique sensing technology that detects pollutants indoors, and then diagnoses and reports them on an LCD screen for you to see. To purify your indoor air, a fully-sealed filter system with a HEPA filter captures gases and 99.95% of microscopic allergens and pollutants as small as 0.1 microns (that's 1000th of the width of a human hair!).² Introducing this device into your home is very easy, too - simply place the slick-looking purifier in a corner of a room and set to auto-mode to start breathing cleaner air.
2. Harness Plant Power
An easy way to improve your wellbeing at home is to invest in houseplants. According to a study published in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology,³ 'active interaction with indoor plants can reduce physiological and psychological stress compared with mental work.' Pretty impressive, we know. And for the busy woman, low maintenance houseplants which require very little care are a wise choice - English Ivy, Aloe, Peace Lily and Cactus are our recommendations.
3. Let There Be Light
Natural lighting works with our natural circadian rhythms (our 24-hour internal clock), and this helps to keep us feeling awake and energetic during the day, as well as help us wind down in the evenings. For this reason, you should opt to open blinds and curtains during the day to let in as much natural light as possible, in a bid to keep this circadian rhythm in check, especially as brighter and lighter homes can help you feel more relaxed and optimistic.
Susannah says 'light is incredibly important to my day and I would find it very hard to live in a dark house. I open the blinds in our bedroom first thing in the morning (I do the same in every room) as I find letting light in really energises me. We only have to think about how the dark days of winter can affect people's wellbeing to know that light is incredibly important to our daily mood.'
If your home isn't blessed with many windows, don't fret: just look to artificial lighting for help. The clever-working Dyson Lightcycle™ task light tracks local daylight depending on your specific location to give you the right type of light throughout the day, whilst also adjusting light levels to keep your space at a constant brightness. The Lightcycle automatically corrects brightness based on your age (a 65-year old person needs up to four times more light than a 20-year old⁴) via the Dyson Link app.
4. Create A 'Comfy Corner'
We all need a little bit of 'me time' every now and then, but it can be hard to find respite when you have nowhere to relax. That's where a 'comfy corner' comes in: this little haven of your home will be dedicated to you, for when you need to relax, unwind or gain a few minutes peace. Create your own little corner in your bedroom or living room by filling it with your favourite necessities, like the latest Grazia magazine (obviously), a comfy cushion, or a snuggly throw. Then, whenever you need to take five, just slip away to this space and chill.
5. Display Your Happy Memories
Looking at sentimental photographs and pictures is a brilliant way to inspire creativity and a feeling of happiness. Susannah says 'we have all been to a friend's house or flat that is strewn with pictures of their loved-ones. Do you notice how warm it makes the space feel? Pictures can make the space around you feel very homely and can lift your emotional wellbeing.'
She adds that 'it can be difficult, however if you or your partner prefers the very minimal look. If this is the case, then perhaps you can compromise by experimenting with modern frames - a great look is blowing up images larger, having a big mount around them and framing minimally. This can look very striking as a collection against the wall. Or perhaps you can think about having images printed in black and white for a stylish take on family portraits.'
6. Incorporate Colour
The colours that we decorate our homes with can have a massive impact on our mood. Neutral tones (like beige, cream, and brown) may help to create a tranquil environment, whilst pops of colours like green, orange and purple will energise your living space. But remember, you don't have to redecorate your entire home to achieve these results - simply switching out some old accessories or adding a statement wall is an easy way to work in new colour.
7. Cut The Clutter
It doesn't take a genius to work out that mess causes stress. Why? Because having lots of clutter in your home can make it harder for you to relax. With the rise of the Marie Kondo-trend, there's no time like the present to declutter your home to help improve your wellbeing. Start by throwing out things like old magazines, receipts and possessions that you haven't used in years (yes, we're talking about that old video player that you're still holding onto!). To do your bit for society, you can also donate your unwanted items to charity. Double-win.
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To truly enhance your wellness at home, discover more about Dyson's indoor purifier offering, including the Pure Hot + Cool Advanced Technology, here. You can also head down to the Dyson Demo store in Oxford Street to learn more.
¹Hulin et al, Respiratory Health and Indoor air pollutants based on quantitative exposure assessments, European Respiratory Journal, October 2012.
²Tested for filtration efficiency at 0.1 microns (EN1822).
³Lee, Min-Sun et al. “Interaction with indoor plants may reduce psychological and physiological stress by suppressing autonomic nervous system activity in young adults: a randomized crossover study.” Journal of Physiological Anthropology vol. 34,1 21. 28 Apr. 2015.
⁴Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) The Lighting Handbook, Tenth Edition (July 30, 2011).