Did you know that May is “Mental Health Awareness Month”?  Neither did I until just recently!  But I thought it was a great time to discuss some ways that you can redecorate your home to help improve your mental health, or the health of someone you care about!  Here are six low cost (& even some NO cost) tips:

1. Remove clutter.  Living in a messy environment can really increase anxiety levels!  Some people get totally overwhelmed when they live or work in a space that is dirty and cluttered.  Start by removing items that you know you will never use/need (i.e. old mail, newspapers, magazines, expired food/spices).  Then do a thorough cleaning.  If you’re tackling and entire house, do one room at a time.
2. Remove items that remind you of “bad/sad times”.  This could be photos, coffee mugs, or other items given to you by someone you are no longer in a relationship with.
3. Repaint!  Choose a color that suits YOU.  Whites can make a room feel clean and spacious, light blues and greens can have a calming effect, and yellow can make you feel bright and happy.  The main thing is to match the color to the mood you want reflected in that particular space.
4. Upgrade your bedding.  Nothing updates AND uplifts the mood in a bedroom better than some new, good quality bedding, sheets and pillows!  You spend a lot of time sleeping in that bed, so it should feel luxurious and comfortable.
5. Add live plants to a room.  Live plants not only look good, but they improve the air quality in a room!  They also serve as a healthy hobby…as you need to nurture them by watering and caring for them.
6. Light up the space!  Remove dark, heavy draperies and wash the windows inside and out.  Replace any burnt out bulbs, and make sure that they all match within the same light fixture.  Add a lamp if the overhead light is inadequate for the room.  On the other hand, change out florescent lighting if possible, and replace with a fixture that uses softer bulbs; which will feel much more soothing.

These ideas are all pretty easy… just about anyone can do them!  So why not make some changes in YOUR space to improve your mental health?  I think you’ll be glad you did!