After a long day of work, we all just want to go home, relax, and spend time with our loved ones. Home should offer solace in a world of chaos and constant movement; it should truly feel like our sanctuary. The place we return to after dealing with the stresses of every day life should bring us comfort, peace, and relaxation, and nothing less than a positive vibe. We spend a lot of time in our homes, so we all deserve to feel great while being in them.
If you struggle to make your house feel like a home, and just feel like you can’t really unwind while being there, then read on for some tips on bringing positive energy into your living space.
Here are 5 ways to add positive feelings to your home:
1. Bring nature inside your home.
House plants will not only help you relax and feel more positive, but they provide other amazing health benefits as well. A multitude of studies have shown that they can fight pollution, ward off allergies and colds, and even help your concentration and cognitive function. Not to mention, plants add a nice touch of color to your living space, bringing it to life (literally).
It’s no secret that being in nature is better for our well-being than living in concrete jungles, but most of us have to choose the latter to survive. So, if we can’t bring ourselves to nature, then why not bring the nature to us?
2. Keep your space clutter-free.
We can’t have a positive home with piles of clutter around every corner, so as daunting as it might seem to clean it all, try to keep up household chores on a regular basis. Not only will this help you have more space inside your home, but it will help alleviate clutter inside your mind, too. After all, the state of our homes says a lot about the state of ourselves. If we feel frazzled and cluttered inside, it will likely reflect on the outside, too.
Try to devote at least one day a week for cleaning up, and get the kids and significant other involved, too! Some of us might not look forward to cleaning (and may not have picked up a broom in years), but you can always put on some fun music while you do the dirty work, or even set a small reward for yourself afterwards so it doesn’t feel like such a chore.
3. Unplug often to stay positive.
We live in a constantly plugged-in world, but many studies have proven how this can impact our mental, physical, and emotional health. Other studies have shown how using electronic devices before bed can affect our sleep as well, so make sure you take time every day and night to turn off the virtual world and connect with the real one around you.
Ironically, cell phones were invented so we could stay in touch more with those we love, but nowadays, many of us feel very out of touch with ourselves and others due to technology. Our homes should be a space where we can all come back from a busy, hectic day and spend time talking, laughing, playing, and loving each other, not droning out spending hours on our mobile devices.
If you have trouble disconnecting from the world on your screen (as most of us do), try to allot time each day after work to use your cell phone, tablet, or computer, and stick to the schedule. Your home will feel much more positive, and you’ll even feel more energized by taking a break from technology every once in a while.
4. Make your home smell good!
Candles, incense, and diffusers have become popular for a reason: everyone likes things that smell good! Think about it: do you feel happier walking past a dumpster or walking past a store in the mall selling fresh-baked cookies? I think we all can agree on that one, which proves that smells have quite an impact on our mood. Aromatherapy can provide relief from a variety of conditions, from anxiety to insomnia to joint pain, and everything in between. You can put candles, incense, or even tart burners throughout your home to fill it with pleasant aromas that will hopefully help you to relax as well.
5. Remember to say thanks for the positive in life.
Remaining grateful for everything we’ve been blessed with can help us to keep a positive mindset, which will make our homes feel more positive, too. If you have children, make sure to remind them to say “thank you” often, and to say their blessings every night before bed. In our world full of temptation, it can be quite easy to think we don’t have enough, but if you have a roof over your head, fresh food and water, some clothes on your back, and people who love you, you’re richer than most people in the world.
As a family, take turns saying what you’re thankful for each day, and what makes you happy. This will increase the whole family’s energy levels, and do wonders for everyone’s mindset as well. Staying thankful for the little things, even when life feels like a trainwreck, is perhaps one of the most powerful things you can do to stay positive in a seemingly negative world.
