“Is Your House Making You Depressed?”
An excellent article by Cris Carl on how your space may be impacting your behavior.
“There are an estimated 18.8 million adults in America diagnosed with some type of depressive disorder. Not only that, but pretty much everybody will experience mild depression in their lifetime. One way to support a healthier mental/emotional state is being in a house where you feel “safe, secure, and relaxed,” said Jane Williams, Coordinator of Clinical Services for ServiceNet Inc. in Massachusetts. “The impact of your space on your over-all mood is really important,” she said.
Williams, who visits most of her clients in their homes, and has worked extensively on her own house, has become very aware of how we are affected by the place we live in. She gave a personal example of being stuck in the kitchen while her family was enjoying a gathering or television show. “My solution was to cut a hole in the wall. Now I don’t have to feel left out of my family’s activities when I’m cooking,” said Williams.
What is one of the number one depressive element you might have in your house?
“Clutter,” said Williams. “It’s not so much about how clean your house is. It’s more about what you face when you walk in the door every day.” Williams added that having clutter, unpaid bills, etc. face you every time you come home “can put you right over the edge. You are constantly being reminded of things that need to be done. And the people who tend to procrastinate, you’re not fooling anyone, it’s still there.”
William’s solution, and one she uses herself, is to designate a space that can be “uncontrolled,” such as a closet, or drawer, or even a room.” Essentially, if you can organize your belongings, and take unnecessary clutter out of the equation, you are likely to experience less stress, and therefore, less depression.”
Home Improvement Projects Fight Depression
“Even when you don’t think you can do something, once you have accomplished a (home) project, you get to feel so much satisfaction. Whenever you see your work, you think, ‘Hey, I did that,’” said Williams. Williams added that it isn’t even so much about saving money as the experience of satisfaction.
If you feel you aren’t up to a project or repair, hire someone, barter; ask a friend or family member to help. Williams suggested for bigger projects, such as painting, to hold a work party. “Not only do you get the work done, but you get to have healthy social interaction,” said Williams. “Expand your resources. Maybe you can get an intern or apprentice from a schooling program to help you.”
Let In the Light
Human beings are strongly affected by the amount of light they are exposed to. Light stimulates a cascade of hormones and chemicals in our bodies that affect us in a multitude of ways. Simply adding full-spectrum lighting to your home can improve your over-all mood.
“Full-spectrum lighting is huge. It’s used clinically for people who experience SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder),” said Williams. Also, go for sheers instead of heavy draperies. If you have a room that has no windows, you can either build, or buy a kit for a false window. False windows can be back-lit or have a scene behind it. Mirrors also expand the feeling of light and space, especially if the mirrors face each other.“
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