How COVID-19 Changed the Way We Think About Our Homes

With hectic work schedules and social obligations, most of us didn’t spend that much time at home before the pandemic. COVID-19 made us rethink how we perceive our living quarters. All of a sudden, we were spending all our time at home working and schooling remotely. This made us realize how important it is to have a functional and cozy home.

Here’s how COVID-19 changed the way we think about our homes.

Comfort Above Anything

With the ongoing pandemic, it is more important than ever that we find comfort in our homes. Our homes should be a place of safety, peace, and positive energy.

All of that starts with a good night’s sleep. If we’re sleep-deprived, we lack the energy and motivation to work, exercise, or engage in fun activities with our family members. Sleep has countless health benefits, hence, choosing the right bed is crucial.

Bedroom furniture and décor should be carefully selected so that it accentuates comfort and tranquility. A comfortable bed and plenty of light can do so much for your mood and energy levels so this should not be taken lightly. You should invest in a quality, comfortable mattress so that it provides you the support you need.

Good Organization Is Vital

Given that many of us had to adapt to remote working and create a home office, the need for separate live-work spaces became emphasized. We realized how important it is that our office corner is separated from the rest of the house at least partly. Working on your sofa in front of the TV set or trying to have a conference call near the bustle of the kitchen can be detrimental to your motivation.

If you live in a small home and can’t turn an entire room into a home office, you should at least try to create a separated working space in the corner of your living room. Similarly, a separate space for working out where you can’t hear your partner’s business calls or your kids’ playing is highly desirable.

Throwing Away The Unnecessary

There is a saying that a tidy space makes for a tidy mind. Living in a cluttered home can add to one’s anxiety. This year, we realized how many unnecessary things we’ve been piling up over the years which are taking up space without serving any purpose.

Hence, most of us took to decluttering and throwing away all the things that we have no use for such as old suitcases, clothes we don’t wear, etc.

Natural Elements

During the lockdown, occasional walks helped us recharge our batteries and get some sunlight and vitamin D. However, residents of some countries were not even allowed to go outside and take walks in nature whenever they wanted. This was especially challenging for those living in apartment buildings with no backyards.

All of this made us want to be connected to nature even more by incorporating natural elements into our homes such as greenery, wooden furniture pieces, stone or ceramic details, etc. Believe it or not, your home décor significantly impacts your health. Incorporating some natural, organic elements has a positive effect on your mood and therefore, your health, too.

Potted plants, for example, purify the air in your home and add a sense of calmness. They also look fantastic in any room. Stone tiles in the bathroom, wooden chairs, wool blankets…all these details manufactured from natural materials help create a relaxing ambiance in your home.

Colours

Another way COVID-19 changed the way we think about our homes has to do with colours and how important it is to choose them wisely.

Bright, pleasant or even ‘earthy’ colours are welcome. You should aim for neutral, soothing colours in your bedroom and lots of green and beige in your living space. The colour green is associated with calmness and is even believed by scientists to reduce stress levels. A study has even shown that being exposed to greenery helps you live longer.

Minding Your Mental Health

With social distancing measures and remote working, the year 2020 has been very difficult for our mental health. Many were isolated from their friends and left without emotional support. Others yearned for some much-needed peace and quiet.

Creating a separate corner for relaxation and recharging of batteries or indulging in some calming activities became vital this year.

A dedicated reading corner or a yoga space where you can go and meditate undisturbed before you return to your daily duties can help you cope better. This can be your sacred area where you can simply slow down and unwind.

Cooking with your loved ones can be a fun, soothing activity too if everyone helps a little. If you’re the artsy type, you can set up an easel by the window with a nice view and start painting. Finding an outlet is essential.

This doesn’t mean that we have to refurbish and reorganize our entire homes at once. Even making even small changes to our living space can have a huge impact on our mental health and wellbeing.

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