Making small changes in homes or rooms can make big changes in people to improve their well-being and productivity.
In October of last year, the Ministry of Health and Protection carried out a survey with almost 3,500 Colombians to inquire about their mental health. The results were overwhelming: 66.3% of respondents stated that at some point in their life they have faced a mental health problem.
Going a little further, the Ministry asked “what is the most conducive space to generate mental health problems?” Almost half of those surveyed (44.5%) responded that “the house” was that space. “It is striking that the very place where the most protection should be perceived is the same place where almost half of the population feels most vulnerable,” said the Ministry when presenting the results of the survey.
Faced with this situation, there is good news: the transformation of spaces can positively impact people’s mental health and well-being. “Making changes in our house or room, for example, regardless of whether they are major remodeling or small modifications, can bring about great transformations in people, as several studies related to lighting, colors, and the use of plants have shown. , order and cleanliness, among others,” explains Mariano Lanus, deputy commercial manager of Homecenter.
In this sense, a recent study published by the journal Nature Mental Health indicates that people who are exposed to daylight have a lower risk of suffering from depression, stress or anxiety, while those individuals who, on the contrary, receive a large amount of light at night increase the risk of developing mental illnesses by 30%.
Thus, a home with poor lighting sends impulses to the brain that can translate into discomfort, while, on the contrary, a home with sufficient light generates feelings of well-being and comfort. “We must also know that these sensory reactions then have an impact on aspects such as our eyesight, blood pressure or reproductive system,” said Spanish Rita Gasalla, an expert in neuroarchitecture in an interview with Hola magazine.
Neuroarchitecture is precisely a new branch of traditional architecture that is responsible for analyzing—based on scientific evidence—how the spaces we inhabit impact the brain, cognitive abilities, emotions and behavior, that is, our well-being in general.
Order, plants, colors and mirrors
Keeping the house in order also benefits our well-being and even improves our productivity. According to a study carried out by DePaul University in Chicago, the accumulation of objects inside homes not only produces visual chaos, but can also increase levels of cortisol – the hormone responsible for stress –, in addition to affecting well-being. staff and promote procrastination.
“Cleaning our home not only translates into physical health, but also gives us mental peace of mind and improves our comfort. As the environment in which we move is organized, our mind will also be better prepared,” explains Adriana Fernández from Homecenter.
On the other hand, having plants at home, having floral prints inside the home or painting with colors that resemble nature (especially blues and greens) can generate feelings of tranquility and calm in the brain. This trend is known as biophilic design, and it indicates that people have an innate desire to connect with nature. “Exposure to images of nature takes our brain to a state of greater tranquility. For many, nature means a break,” Dr. Marc Berman, director of the Environmental Neuroscience Laboratory at the University of Chicago, told the Washington Post.
And just as the use of allegories of nature inside homes can generate calm, the use of certain colors also favors people’s well-being. According to Goethe’s color theory, blue generates a relaxation effect, purple favors spirituality, while green promotes harmony and balance.
Another element that transforms the environment and can generate well-being in people is the use of mirrors. According to a study by the Shanghai University of Fine Arts, published in 2021, it is scientifically proven that mirrors and other glass elements make our brain believe that spaces are larger than they really are. A phenomenon that can also be reinforced by using the color white, which also gives that feeling of spaciousness to the spaces.
Last but not least, a study from Shanghai University, published in the journal Current Biology, indicates that being in a comfortable, safe and relaxed environment increases serotonin levels, which is known as the happiness hormone. It is clear, science shows that our environments directly impact our well-being.
“In short, it is not necessary to make large investments to implement transformations of spaces that result in well-being for people. Small changes can positively impact people’s mental health, so let’s get to work to achieve, through environments, well-being and tranquility.
Fotos: Nature Mental Health
Current Biology