The environment surrounding you impacts your psyche in numerous ways. Rearranging your room can change your mood, and organizing and decorating it mindfully can improve your outlook and productivity.
Understanding the science of how sensory cues impact your nervous system is the first step. The second is implementing that knowledge to create a habitat that makes you feel good when you spend time in it. Here’s what to do.
1. Clutter = An Unending Mental To-Do List
Rearranging your room to improve your mood begins with decluttering. According to psychologists, too much stuff bombards your visual field with stimuli, which can feel like staring at a never-ending to-do list. However, the problem doesn’t disappear when you close your eyes. Too much clutter can disrupt your sleep and adversely affect your mental health, both from the stress and the resulting lack of Zzzs.
Fortunately, organizing your space doesn’t cost much, if anything. Check out places like Habitat for Humanity ReStore for discounts on pegboard, shelving and cabinets, and create a designated space for everything. Giving every object in your home a “home” of its own saves you oodles of time — no more frantically searching for your keys at the last minute.
Then, take a slow, methodical decluttering approach. You aren’t Hercules, nor are you on a deadline to finish in a day. Start in a single corner — perhaps your desk area — and work your way out from there. Clear everything from the selected location and sort it into three piles:
- To keep
- To donate, upcycle or recycle
- To the temp folder
Your temp folder — or drawer — is a designated space for those objects you can’t decide whether to keep. Place them there for the next three months, and if you don’t use them within that time, send them to the donation bin. Everything you decide to keep goes in its designated “home.”
2. Color Has The Power To Change Your Mood
Science confirms that the hues surrounding you influence your mood and even your physical health. According to Debbie Shipley — head of support services at The Migraine Trust — certain colors and patterns can trigger migraine attacks, while others soothe them. In general, hues associated with nature — such as muted blues and greens — relax your central nervous system and increase productivity by inducing a sense of calm.
Make a fresh coat of paint part of rearranging your room to change your mood. You need not select blue or green — go with whatever hue makes you calm and happy. When you head to the hardware store, keep in mind that a single coat of paint over primer works better than several layers of color alone, so choose your supplies carefully. Furthermore, a paint sprayer can spare your arms and shoulders a workout and get the job done in a fraction of the time.
3. Who Decided Comfort Was A Bad Thing?
It’s OK to rearrange your room for comfort to improve your mood. Uncomfortable furniture went out with the Salem Witch Trials, so indulge yourself with a workspace custom-fit for you, whether that includes a stool or mini-cycle for your feet if you have circulation issues, a variable-height desk to ease back pain, or an oversized chair to fit your big and tall frame.
If rearranging your bedroom, save up to invest in the most comfortable mattress you can find. Whatever the room, surround yourself with cozy throws, comfy pillows and details like aromatherapy diffusers to enhance your sensory comfort.
4. A Heavenly Light
Lighting also affects your mood and mindset. Research shows exposure to natural light eases stress and alleviates symptoms of depression and anxiety.
If your space lacks windows, a skylight or solar tube can introduce this element. Otherwise, take down or tie back heavy curtains and use a one-way film to preserve your privacy while enjoying an unfettered view of the outdoors and plenty of natural light. Rearrange your desk to take advantage of gazing outside.
When the sun sets, turn to energy-efficient LEDs in warmer tones to maintain healthier circadian rhythms and avoid sleep disturbances. Alternatively, provide illumination from below in the form of fun, color-changing LED strip lights mounted beneath cabinets and furniture.
5. Does Your Room Spark Joy?
Before declaring your job of rearranging your room finished, step back and ask yourself organizing maven Marie Kondo’s favorite question — does it spark joy? Your space should make you feel good every time you walk in.
If something still seems missing, get mindful. Perhaps you need a houseplant or two for air quality or a mini basketball hoop or putting green to add an element of playfulness.
Rearranging Your Room To Change Your Mood
Rearranging your room has the power to change your mood. Look around the spaces where you spend the most time and plan your upgrades. A little mindful attention to your working and living areas can result in feeling happier and more productive.
About The Author
Oscar Collins is the editor-in-chief at Modded, where he writes about cars, fitness, the outdoors and more. Check out @TModded for regular updates, and subscribe to Modded Minute for more!
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