4 Ways to Upgrade Your Home to Make You Healthier
Written by Julia Weaver
It’s no secret that our surroundings affect our mood, but they might have a bigger impact on our well-being than you think. In fact, according to a recent study, 70% of homeowners said that the design of their home has affected their well-being during the pandemic. So, if you’ve been feeling down and can’t quite put a finger on why, your home may be to blame. Find out what you can do around the house to give yourself a much-needed mood boost to feel happy in your home – and even increase the value of your home.
1. Design a home gym to make a happy home
Exercise is a great way to relieve stress and improve your overall well-being. If you were a regular at your local gym before the pandemic, it was most likely difficult for you when gyms across the country were closed to stop the spread of Coronavirus. You no longer have a place to go with weights, straps, or workout machines. Many people had to get creative with their at-home workouts, substituting household items for gym equipment in living rooms and bedrooms.
It may have been difficult at first to adapt your routine, but if you’ve come to love the convenience of your home set-up, it may be time to make some upgrades. Start by clearing space and creating a dedicated exercise area in your spare room or garage. Next, add shock-absorbent rubber flooring for weighted exercises, gym equipment that’ll help you reach your fitness goals, and a mirror so you can keep an eye on your form. You can even include a fan to keep cool and a TV to follow along with a personal trainer or video workouts.
The upfront cost of designing a home gym might be expensive, but don’t let that scare you. Did you know that a gym membership costs an average of $700 dollars a year? A home gym will practically pay for itself, considering the hundreds to thousands you can save over the years by no longer needing a gym membership.
2. Create a habit of routine cleaning
It’s hard to get in the right headspace when your home is dirty. A clean home is not only better for our overall health and well-being by reducing indoor allergens, but it also has a positive impact on our mood. Get in the habit of cleaning your home a couple of times a week. Routine cleaning includes vacuuming, dusting regularly, wiping down countertops and surfaces, and cleaning your bathrooms and kitchen.
Keeping your house clean can be a time-consuming task, and let’s face it – sometimes it’s hard to find the time to clean your house from top to bottom. Consider hiring a professional cleaning service. A happy home is a clean home and trust me, it will be worth it. They’ll be able to clean every nook and cranny of your home, plus you can choose the frequency of visits to suit your needs.
3. Designate a space for mind and body practices
There’s nothing better than the immediate sense of calm that washes over you when you’ve stepped into a yoga studio or meditation center. If you’re looking for a way to bring more peace and tranquility into your home, think about designating a space for yoga or meditation.
The best yoga or meditation sanctuary is calm and soothing, helping you to remain happy in your home. It should be a sanctuary you can escape to and where you can give 100% of your focus to your mind and body. Find a dedicated space, no matter how small, and designate it as your “studio.” This could be beside your bed, in the bonus room, or even on your balcony or back deck.
Be sure to have everything you need in reach, including a water bottle, yoga mat, meditation cushion, blankets, and myofascial release tools. Create a relaxing ambiance with essential oils, and surround yourself with dim lighting, earthy elements, soothing music, and burning candles. This way you won’t have to leave your home to achieve the same sense of bliss you get at the yoga studio or your favorite meditation center.
4. Increase your vitamin D exposure with a sunroom
It’s no secret that sunshine has a profound effect on our mood and mental health. If you’re looking for a way to enjoy the many benefits of vitamin D and sunshine all year round, consider adding a sunroom to your home.
A sunroom is versatile, allowing you to adapt the space for numerous purposes. It’s most commonly used as a lounging area or sitting room, but a sunroom can easily be transformed into a craft room, office, yoga space, or garden. There’s just something about the radiant and airy atmosphere of a sunroom that can lift anyone’s mood and feel connected to nature without leaving your home.
Home selling tip: Adding on a sunroom to your home’s footprint will increase usable square footage, and therefore increase home value.