How to decorate the house if you suffer from anxiety or depression

Before I start with this article on how to decorate the house if you suffer from depression or anxiety, I have to clarify that I am not a doctor and that these tips are in no way a substitute for professional help.

If you are going through a bad time, ask for professional help.

That said, all these tips that we are going to see will not hurt you, in any case, improve your situation and the decoration of your home.

Take note that we start with these 10 decorative ideas backed by science to decorate the house if you suffer from depression or anxiety:

You can see the video or the text below:

add curves

Many experts in neuroesthetic and environmental psychology say that right and sharp angles are more stimulating to the brain than round or oval shapes and that these activate a part of the brain associated with unconscious fear since we associate sharp corners with dangerous elements, In addition to having too many rectilinear shapes in a home stresses us out.

The solution is to change, within your possibilities, the right angles and sharp corners for smooth curves.

If you are in the phase of buying furniture for your home, explore the possibility of adding furniture with curves or more organic shapes than straight furniture, especially the bulkiest or those that dominate the center of the space, such as coffee tables.

If you already have the furniture, try to change something small, such as the coffee table, the side tables or any other you can and want.

Naturally, lean into the decor and substitute those with straight or sharp edges for curved ones, such as a round mirror, a straight vase for a curvy one, etc.

Anyway, within your possibilities try to replace all those sharp and right angles with curves and organic shapes that are more relaxing and natural.

Connect with nature and add plants

Humans have an inherent connection with plants and nature, in fact there is a scientific theory called the biophilia hypothesis that studies this link between humans and plants.

And after three decades of research they have confirmed the hypothesis and shown that natural environments have a considerable effect on increasing positive emotions and decreasing negative ones.

Other studies have also shown that having plants and interacting with them, that is, watering them, talking to them, caring for them, etc., suppresses the system in our body that activates when we perceive distress signals, making us feel less stressed and with a much higher blood pressure. low.

Different studies have also found that surrounding ourselves with plants and taking care of them renews our positive emotions, increases productivity, creativity and attention span.

Not only plants, but also flowers

According to various studies, having flowers at home generates happiness and greatly improves people's mood, as well as reducing the likelihood of stress-related depression.

They increase positive energy levels and help people feel safe and relaxed.

So it wouldn't hurt that the next time you go to the florist's or the market or take a walk in the countryside, you get a bouquet of flowers, or two, or as many as you want to add one in each corner that you want and enjoy its beauty, its benefits and its smell.

beyond the plants

If we do not want or cannot use plants, we can integrate nature by adding other elements such as wood, clay or terracotta, linen, cotton, etc.

And we can do this raw, that is, using for example trunks and branches, or fine, adding natural materials such as natural wood floors, furniture and decoration instead of plastics, linen and cotton instead of polyester, etc. As many as we want or can.

Dress the walls with art

All the sheets in Desenio.es

Introducing art into our home has a profound effect on our well-being and is proven by many studies.

Looking at art improves mood and mental health.

Decorating our walls with works of art that evoke beauty or some kind of positive personal expression is one of the most effective ways to create welcoming and relaxing spaces.

And we don't have to spend a fortune if we don't want to.

We can buy a replica of one of our favorite works, or make it ourselves or a family member.

And this art not only applies to painting, but also to ceramics, sculptures and other types of crafts.

Viewing art is clinically proven to be calming and reduces tension and anxiety.

Research Professor Semir Zeki, a neurobiologist at University College London, discovered that looking at art gives the same pleasure as falling in love.

Previous research on the effect of viewing art supports this finding.

When patients in a hospital viewed art, it was found that their suffering was reduced and led to faster recovery.

This type of research suggests that art could be used in multiple contexts, to increase the well-being, mental health and life satisfaction of the general public, young and old.

See how to decorate the sofa wall with art.

Add patterns and textures, but in just the right amount

A house without details is flat, cold and disconcerting, an environment without grace or visual richness. Minimalism yes: but with visual richness.

And there's nothing better for adding details than patterns and textures.

But neither in excess that causes visual fatigue, stress or anxiety. You have to find a balance, choose a couple of patterns and repeat them throughout the house.

In cushions, in bedding, in rugs, in pillows, in blankets, in decorative objects, wherever you want.

But add patterns and textures to avoid that coldness and austerity and have a home where you feel comfortable.

Add a rocking chair or hammock

Rocking chair by Banak Importa

Not only are they decorative and can add an incredible design touch to your home, but gently swaying is also proven to be deeply relaxing.

And although it was not scientifically proven, everyone who has taken a nap in a hammock or in a rocking chair with that soft sway, knows how relaxing it is.

And it is that this movement is believed to connect us with our first moments, before we were born where we were rocked from one side to the other or when we were very small who always swayed and cradled us.

sort and clear

You may like the popular Marie Kondo more or less, but what we all agree on, including several studies, is that she is quite right: There is a very close link between messy spaces and stress, procrastination, and dissatisfaction with life. life.

Yes, when we are sad and discouraged it is not easy to start cleaning up, but what happens is that the mess that we leave behind has a direct negative impact on how we feel and we end up creating a vicious bond.

We need to break that link and the best way is to get active even little by little.

Start with a room, order and clean a simple corner or set a 10-minute goal.

But we have to do it because you know the popular saying: as it is inside so it is outside. Let's get to work and don't give control to your things.

Beware of the light

Exposure to natural light helps our bodies produce serotonin, melatonin, and vitamin D, as well as increasing productivity among other positive factors.

Therefore, take advantage of the natural light in your home so that it gives you a little while every morning, so that it makes the house brighter and more beautiful.

And if you live in a dark home, in this video you can see how to make it brighter.

But you also have to be careful with excess light, as it triggers stressors, especially in people with anxiety or migraines.

If you live in a very bright house, you can filter the light so that it is not so intense if it produces any negative effect, such as traditional curtains, vinyl that darkens and filters some light or lower the blinds a little, among other methods and elements. that we have at our disposal today.

Also, at night, especially when we go to sleep, we should try to achieve total darkness as artificial lighting from the street entering our bedrooms contributes to insomnia, altering serotonin levels and mood regulation.

In this sense, you can use opaque curtains, or double drapery, blinds or if you are doing renovations, consider the possibility of installing automatic blinds that we can configure so that they open and close at the most favorable times of the day.

When it comes to artificial light, studies have also shown that blue light tends to keep us awake, so opt for warm or white light instead.

Just by changing a light bulb you can notice a big change.

And if you like blue light, since for example it helps you to concentrate better on your work, we can use smart bulbs, such as the Philips Hue that, through a simple control from our smartphone, we can make them emit blue light at any given time. day and warm or white light on another.

Color psychology

It is impossible to write an article on how to feel better at home without putting colors in the middle.

And if you have read or seen other videos that talk about this topic, you may have seen that neutrals are the most recommended because they are serene, and it is true, but they are also the most boring, flat and sad if they do not combine well.

You may have heard that blue is relaxing, and it's true, but it can also have a drowsy and downbeat effect.

Here you can see the most relaxing colors to paint your house.

So, although there are great studies that have yielded interesting data on this subject and that we are going to see right now, at this point my best advice is to add the colors that make you feel good, yes, always within an order , creating a harmonic color palette.

Because while it is true that blue relaxes me and I love it because it reminds me of the sea or the ocean, you may be panicking because you had a traumatic episode at sea, you may love yellow because you it gives optimism and joy because it reminds you of sunlight, but to another person it can remind you of danger and urgency.

Therefore, base yourself on your own emotions and the atmosphere you want to achieve in your home. That said, let's see some interesting data that can help you choose one color or another:

Inside the warm tones:

Red is the warmest color, it is the color of passion and desire, but it is also related to aggressiveness and blood, so it is advisable to use it sparingly and especially outside the bedroom as it is a color that excites our system. highly strung.

Orange is a color that increases optimism, gives vitality and reduces fatigue, it is considered very appropriate for workplaces since it is said to favor work relationships and also stimulates the appetite, so using it in a dining room can be a good option. idea.

Yellow is a cheerful color that gives energy and a good mood, it is a great stimulant for the mind and increases creativity, although it is true that for many it is the color of bad luck. On the other hand, it brings light to the spaces and in children's rooms it usually works very well since it helps to stimulate the development of the capacities of the little ones.

Within the cold colors:

Greens are the most relaxing colors, both for our eyes and for our brain and body, it is calming and has been shown to relieve headaches. In addition, it adds nature and freshness to spaces.

Here you can see 5 extremely relaxing colors to paint your home.

Blue is the color that brings the most peace and tranquility, as well as freshness as it is a cold tone. But you have to be careful with the grayest blues since we can achieve too cold and flat environments and you also have to be careful when applying it in very bright spaces since due to its characteristics this color absorbs a lot of light and can make that space look less bright than it is.

Purple is a somewhat ambiguous color since it is made up of a warm color such as red and blue, a cold color. It has always been associated with the mystical and spiritual part of people and depending on how we combine it we can achieve one environment or another. If we want an intimate and silent atmosphere, combined with cold tones it will be perfect. And if we are looking for a more vital and energetic environment, combined with warm colors we will achieve this effect.

There are many more definitions, studies and history about colors and if you are interested I advise you to get this wonderful book that will give you some very interesting information and it is to date the best book that has been written on the Psychology of Color till the date. You can buy it by clicking here.

But another piece of information that can help you when choosing a color is the following, think of this basic scheme:

The more pastel colors, that is, those that contain more white, are more calming than the colors that are more saturated, that is, that have more pigmentation and are purer, since these are more energetic and vital.

Beyond all these tips, if you are really going through a bad time, turn to a good professional because the right professional for you can help you a lot. And if you think a friend or family member might like this article, share it. Thank you!

You can also see this other article on how to have a more relaxing home.