Due to the global pandemic of COVID-19 our usual day to day routine has been disrupted and we have been spending a lot more time at home. Even as we work towards a more 'normal' routine it is important to make sure we are all coping with these adjustments and ensure that our homes are a positive environment to be in.

Here are some tips to ensure that spending our time at home are as pleasant and stress-free as possible. 

Keep it light

Keeping your environment light and bright will boost your mood and help you feel less ‘trapped’. Natural light improves your attitude and will also have a benefit to your vision.  

Keep your blinds open throughout the day and place yourself in a spot that has natural light coming in. Along with boosting your mood this has been shown to increase productivity.

Grab your laptop or activity and work outside for an hour or two – if you have the space.

Get some fresh air and sunlight on your break, whilst complying with the Government’s guidelines of course. A quick walk around the block can refresh your mind and give you some much needed vitamin D. Studies also show that spending 30 minutes in the sunlight can prevent or treat depression.

Plants, plants, plants 

Plants are a great addition to the house as they can purify the air and liven any room.

Adding plants to a room or work space is a calming addition and gives you something pleasant to look at when taking a break from your usual tasks.

Don’t worry about maintenance, there are plenty of plants that don’t require much care at all.

Aroma

Candles, diffusers and room sprays are great options for keeping your home smelling fabulous but did you know that certain scents are very effective in changing and uplifting your mood?

Fragrances that are known to influence your mood: lavender and eucalyptus promote relaxation, peppermint and bergamot soothes the brain and reduces the feeling of fatigue, lemongrass calms feelings of anxiety, fruity and citrus fragrances bring a fresh feeling to the home and keep you happy.  

Choose a scent that triggers cheerful thinking and fond memories.

Colour 

Like scents, the colours that you surround yourself with can affect your mood greatly. Having sunny bed linen, lively pillows, or peaceful and neutral toned surroundings can affect how you feel.

Green resembles nature, blue resembles clear skies and the ocean, pink and violet are both peaceful colours that are said to balance energies, white keeps areas looking clean, fresh and light and yellow promotes positivity and happiness.

Sometimes all you need to do is pick one item for the room that stands out for you.

Room dynamics

Without delving too far into the philosophy of Feng Shui, some say it's about harmonizing with your surroundings. Basically, the idea is that your atmosphere should support the energy you want to bring out in life. 

Changing up the flow and design of a room could have you feeling refreshed and re-energised. Perhaps your place has looked or felt the same for too long and moving a few things around might revive your home.

Perhaps the set up of a room isn’t quite working best while spending a larger portion of your week at home. Creating an environment suited better to “isolation” may help in the short term. In the long term, changing up the arrangement of a room every now and then keeps the area rejuvenated and will reflect into your moods.

Surround yourself with things that make you happy

Essentially, whatever makes you happy is what you should have in your home. Just because we have this extra time up our sleeves doesn’t mean we have to suddenly create a “perfect” home, it’s about finding the things that work for you while we are inside a lot more.

Regardless of our current situation, adjustments you can make to the home to make it an enjoyable environment for you is always a great concept to work on.

This is a very testing time for most, and physical distancing may be taking a toll on you. If you need to speak to someone there are organisations like Beyond Blue and Lifeline who are always available to help. There is also a National Coronavirus Helpline if you have any questions or concerns about COVID-19.