Our homes are our safe spaces, our refuge. Home is a relief at the end of the day where we can take off our shoes, (and bras), let down our hair and just be. We can decorate it as we please and make it our own extension of who we are. But what happens when we don't feel like this at home? When the days are too anxiety filled and busy to appreciate home?
You can increase the happiness that already exists at home, and make it a place filled with comfort and love. By adding a few simple changes to your daily habits, you can create a positive mood, increase productivity and decrease anxiety in your home. Doesn't changing tiny little habits and routines to uplift our daily lives seems like an easy yes!?
Here are a few of my personal simple changes you can do every day to feel happier at home.
1. Set A Daily Intention
Don't overthink this one. In The Art of Happiness, the Dali Lama says "Every day, think as you wake up: today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it." Take a minute when you're waking up or getting ready and think to yourself, what small intention do I want to set for myself today?
- I intend to lead by example.
- I intend to have more patience.
- I intend to be present in the moment.
- I intend to be kind even when under pressure.
2. Make Tasks Fun
You already have to do the dishes or vacuum the carpet so why not make it fun! Play music and dance around or play an interesting Podcast to learn something new. Add more movement to get your blood moving and positive sounds to uplift you during monetary daily tasks.
3. Add A New Piece You Love
Home should be our oasis. Surround yourself with pieces that bring you comfort and joy. A soft throw blanket to snuggle into on movie night or an art print that inspires you in your home office.
4. Make Your Bed
Just like starting your day with good intentions, start your day with making your bed. It gives you a sense of accomplishment in completing your first task of the day and it set's the tone of keeping things tidy and completing more and more tasks throughout the day. Plus it's nice to get into a made bed rather than a messy pile of sheets.5. Make Experience Creating Purchases
When you're decided to add something new to your home, make it something that will help you make new experiences. A new grill to have a family cookout or redecorating the guest room to have friends come stay for the weekend.
6. Send Out Daily Love
You can do this while you clean, folding laundry, or walking the dog. Texts and emails do not count! Make an actual phone call to a loved one, just to chat and catch up. We humans are social beings and studies show that even when we don’t feel like it, even if we are naturally introverted, socializing with our loved ones makes us feel better.
7. Declutter Your Space
Clutter can make us feel stressed, overwhelmed, anxious and depressed. Research from the United States in 2009, and Social Psychology Bulletin, found the levels of the stress hormone cortisol were higher in those who described their home environment as cluttered.
Start small, start to clean out one shelf, closet, counter to room at a time. Overtime the clutter won't seem so overwhelming and eventually it will be gone.
8. Frame Happy Memories
I have a large family picture, a photo of my grandmother who passed and friends outings framed just within my office. It's important to have happy memories and the people you love in pictures around your home. Photographs are a very helpful tool for prompting happy and nostalgic memories.
9. Fill your home with plants
Okay, of course you knew I was going to say this! It's why my house is a jungle. But seriously, it's scientifically proven that plants improve concentration and productivity by up to 15%, reduce stress levels, and boost your mood. Plus I personally think it helps to have something else to take care of and keep alive aside from yourself.
10. Keep Mood Boosting Snacks On Hand
Did you know some foods can boost your mood? Fruits such as grapes and strawberries and dark chocolate have mood-boosting effects. From the happiness from taste and smell, they also create happy chemical in your brain. Stock up on these and store them in see-through containers on the counter or in the fridge.
I hope these 10 Simple Changes To Make You Happier At Home help you get started. Make home where you feel at peace. These are just a few tips I've found that help me, I'd love to hear your ideas below!