IS YOUR HOME A WELL ONE?

Wellness should be an objective in every home, but lives are busy, habits die hard, and wellness slips through the cracks. Here's an easy starter kit...

If we didn't know it before, Covid taught us a few lessons about wellness. In particular, in our homes. About how much physical, emotional, and psychological well-being makes a difference to our lives. We moved furniture around, repurposed spaces, flung open curtains and windows, and moulded our homes into the happiest space we could make it.

Our homes shape so much of who we are, whether it's our mood, what we do with our time there, and even how we think about life. Small, meaningful changes can make a world of difference. There are numerous aspects of your home which you can tweak to elevate wellness.

Clutter - get rid of it. Tidiness - make every family member responsible for this and make it non-negotiable. It'll soon become a habit. We all know the analogy between untidiness and the state of our minds - experts assure us this is no glib suggestion. Clutter creates an overload of visual stimuli, which increases stress levels. Aside from the mental calm that'll descend on everybody in the home, you'll free up extra space and surfaces in the home - a better flow through your spaces does likewise for mental pathways.

Light and airy was a strong focus during Covid - it still is or should be. Aside from the value to mental health when we connect to the outdoors, fresh air and light is an essential antidote to illness. Improved air flow may be as simple as opening the right windows or getting rid of unnecessary drapery blocking your windows; it might include changing your window fittings so air flows freer; you may need to enlarge or install more windows, air bricks, or replace windows with doors. It'll not only infuse the home with fresh air, but it will affect you too - it's energizing.

For many, light is a mood enhancer, so consider lightening the colours in your home - white or pale paint, curtains, blinds, or shutters all contribute to that. If your home tends towards dark, white reflects light - you won't recognize the spaces!

Healthy plants in the home add as much to the air quality as they do to the pleasure of being among living green entities. Don't underestimate that connection to nature. The blurring of lines between indoors and out is a global phenomenon, and there's little doubt of the role it plays in wellness. The physical advantages of standing up and taking breaks from the laptop or spending less time on electronic devices, is clear. Homes with outdoor exercise equipment like basketball hoops, badminton nets or swimming pool games woo children (and parents) outdoors. Of value too are board or similar games played outdoors rather than in. Limiting screen time is a challenge faced by every parent, but if you provide a good alternative, it's a great deal easier.

Using natural materials in your home décor is another way to introduce nature into your life. Whether it's using bamboo or similar, or indeed, even considering wallpaper or a mural of a sensational land- or seascape can have a positive impact on your mood.

There may be reasons why your house's air is excessively full of dust, pollen, and other allergens. These allergens can be brought in by pets but could equally be in the air in your area. Vacuuming is your starting point, but if somebody is still sneezing or there's a pervasive smell in the home, a good quality air purifier can help filter out dust in the air and ensure your home is free from pollutants.

Change over to eco-friendly cleaning materials - there are plenty of natural alternatives to chemical-based cleaners, from lemon juice and vinegar to baking soda and essential oils. You don't have to do it overnight but begin the journey.

Ensure that everybody is on board your recycling program - not only is it good for the planet, but it's a mood lifter to know you're making a positive change. If you haven't paid much attention to this before, start small, and get the kids involved. Likewise with wasting water and electricity.

There are numerous ways to raise the wellness level of your home, most not costing a cent. You'll be surprised at the difference it'll make to yourself and your children, and you'll have passed on a valuable legacy to them.