There are several reasons people do home improvement projects. The most common one is to increase the property value of their home probably. It could also be to prepare the house in case of guests. Or, maybe it’s just because they’re bored and want to do something productive while at home. But, DIY home projects aren’t just for the aesthetics, skill-building, or passing the time. They can also make an impact on your well-being.
Here are the four ways that home improvement projects can improve your mental health:
Comfort Is Key
When you’re not comfortable, you can’t do things how you want to. If your clothes are too tight, you can’t walk or move freely. If your chair isn’t ergonomic, it’s challenging to work for long periods. Comfort isn’t something to disregard or scoff at. It can prevent you from carrying out your responsibilities. It can also impact your mental health. A 2011 study in Japan found that there’s a direct relationship between self-esteem and comfortable space. It revealed that the more people had a sense of having their own satisfactory place, the higher their self-esteem was.
It’s why it’s crucial to make your home as comfortable for you as possible. Just because you can tolerate the harsh conditions doesn’t mean that you should. So get an air conditioner installed before the peak of the summer hits. Make sure your heater is ready for the cold temperature of winter.
Comfort isn’t just limited to the physical conditions inside the house. It can also refer to how comfortable it is to live in your home. For example, you might not think that having a broken cabinet is a big deal. But it can be a minor source of stress that can easily be fixed.
Benefits of Beauty
There’s a reason why people seek out unique and eye-catching structures during trips and vacations. Beauty may only be skin-deep, but its effects reach beyond the surface. According to research by the University of Pennsylvania, the attractiveness of buildings in people’s surroundings affects people’s well-being. It’s easy to assume that this also takes effect inside and at home. People may spend just a few minutes looking at towers and buildings, but they spend a lot more time at home. This is especially true in the past year. With so many companies allowing employees to work remotely, millions and millions of people worldwide have spent time at home more than ever.
If you’ve started to notice that the paint on your walls is beginning to chip off, work on it. It won’t just improve the room’s appearance or the exterior, but it can also make you feel better.
More Reasons to Do Physical Activity
When you think of physical activity, you’re probably imagining yourself jogging, lifting weights, or doing yoga. But exercise isn’t limited to activities you can do at the gym. It can also extend to chores around the house. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention includes vacuuming and gardening as ways to stay active at home. While they may not be something you can do regularly, like chores, home improvement projects also count. The best thing about this is that physical activity is beneficial in more ways than just one. Studies have revealed that working out isn’t just good for your body, but it’s also great for your mind.
There are plenty of ways that home DIY projects can get you moving. Carrying heavy tools and equipment around the house is physically beneficial because you’re activating your muscles and doing cardio. You’re also stretching your arms and legs when you apply shingles. The great thing about it is that you don’t even have to spend money to improve how your house looks and work on your well-being. Simply rearranging your furniture to enhance the space and stretch your arms.
Productivity and Function
There’s a thin line between taking a rest and doing nothing. The former is necessary to function, while the latter can negatively impact a person’s mental health. A study by the University of Texas found that busier people have better memory and cognition. It means that their lifestyles are better for cognitive function compared to their counterparts who do fewer activities.
If you’ve balked at the idea of starting a long-term house project, try to reconsider. It may sound exhausting, but it’ll probably be beneficial in the long run.
When you’re considering starting a home improvement project, think of the big picture. Chances are it won’t just improve your house but your health as well.
