Your home and your personal workspace can actually effect your mood and well-being. Surprisingly, what you see when you open a drawer or sit down at your desk can have an unconscious impact on your mood, behavior, and feelings of stress or anxiety. Check out a few tips below for assessing your personal spaces and aligning them with your health goals.

Cut Out Clutter

Unfortunately, a high clutter or messy space can increase feelings of worry, sadness, or helplessness. But, don’t let that get you down! Small successes in organizing can instantly give you a mood boost. Start with small spaces that you have control over – maybe your closet, a bathroom drawer, or something else. Take time to clean, organize, donate, and reimagine what you want close and accessible. Listen to music or an audiobook for entertainment.

Beyond the immediate mood boost, think about how cleaning up an area could impact your future actions. Will it be easier to get ready for work in the morning? Would you feel more at peace when you arrive home to an uncluttered space? Prioritize the spaces and projects that will enhance your day to day.

Nurture Nature

There are elements of nature that enhance our well-being: light, plants, sounds, and smells. Consider leveraging these elements in your spaces. Allow natural light in to your office or energetic spaces at home, and save heavy curtains for where you wind down or sleep. There are many live, potted plants that are easy to care for, don’t need direct light, and they help to purify the air! Search online for a plant that might be suitable for your space (and safe for kids and pets). Do you like the sound of running water, or the scent of lavender? Consider bringing these elements into your environment – whether it’s a small plug in fountain, or diffuser with your favorite scent. As a result, these small actions may help you to design a space that boosts your energy or a Zen zone that gives you peaceful comfort.

Your Inner Environment

Beyond the physical space where you are, consider your inner environment as well. A small organization project, or creating a small “Zen zone” at work or home, can go a long way to enhancing your well-being. It may give you a sense of accomplishment, productivity, and confidence. It may improve your mood or mental clarity, or give you a desirable space to unwind after a long day.

How can you set up your environment to support what you want for your health goals?

Written by: Stephanie Anklan, Registered Dietitian