As the night draws closer and it takes that little bit more time to face getting out of bed in the morning, it’s not unusual to find your mood shifting. With many of us continuing to work from home and with the added element of spending most of our time indoors to escape the cold, it’s become more difficult to not come down with a case of the ‘winter blues’. However, there are some simple changes you can make in your home to brighten the gloomy days ahead.
A bright, uncluttered environment can help to fend off the feeling of melancholy. Although Spring is usually the season for deep cleaning and a big sort out, a winter clean is a great way to rethink how we use space in our homes and refresh before the new year.
Melva Green, a psychiatrist and co-author of the book “Breathing Room: Open Your Heart By Decluttering Your Home,” says that reducing clutter, getting rid of broken or damaged items, and placing pieces that elicit joy in plain sight are simple ways to improve your mood.
Plants or fragrant flowers can bring visual beauty and implement vitality and life force into a space with their ‘aromatherapy’.
Also, you could try positioning furniture to open more space and create breathing room in your home.
A popular aid for general low-vibrational mood is investing in a light box or light therapy lamp, which works by mimicking outdoor light. It’s recommended by experts to use the lights for about 20-30 minutes a day, preferably in the morning. Place the light about 16 to 24 inches from your face for the best results.
Consider getting a diffuser for your kitchen, bedroom, home office or bathroom, and try ‘happy’ scents, such as bergamot, orange and lemon.
The wonderful thing about diffusers is that they come in various sizes and styles, so can bring an added feature to your interior design.
Sleep is vital for this time of year. Making sure you're well-rested is another great way to differ the symptoms of winter blues.
Although, during the day, absorbing natural light has wonderful benefits, keep bedrooms dark for sleeping and avoid screens before bedtime. Investing in proper black out blinds/ curtains can make all the difference.
Smith also suggests embracing ‘hygge’, the Danish practise focusing on cosiness and comfort. Find a candle scent that soothes you and add a thick, weighted blankets to your bed. Weighted blankets take their inspiration from a therapeutic technique called deep pressure stimulation, which uses firm, controlled pressure to induce a feeling of calm.
Our developments offer the perfect set up for escaping the winter blues. Book a viewing to discover how our open plan spaces offer plenty of that vital breathing room.