Our surroundings can have a huge impact on our wellbeing so it’s no surprise we may sometimes feel stuck in a rut sometimes if our environment isn’t changing.
There are a multitude of psychological benefits that can be gained from making small alterations to our home and routine, breaking us out of struggling mindsets.
Behavioural expert Darren Stanton spoke to us about why shaking up your home interiors can lead to a mental refresh and have a positive psychological impact.
Spring clean
Darren: “Our environment is a physical manifestation of the person we are now and of our mental wellbeing. If our living or work space is very disorganised and messy then it is generally a pretty good bet that the mind is the same way and could be in need of a mental spring clean.
“Research has shown that throwing away old papers, photos, folders and junk mail for starters can be very cathartic and just like deleting files on a computer can speed up its efficiency, so does the mind.
“We express ourselves in our spaces, and these help reflect the changes our lives go through.”
Create calm spaces
Darren: “A lot of people, for example, invest in professional coffee machines and have created a little area in their kitchens which is their sacred area for coffee.
“It’s a safe space in the morning they occupy when getting their morning coffee, it allows them to gather their thoughts before they start their morning ritual before work.”
Switch up the scenery
Darren: “Change the position your bed is facing and see how you sleep. Perhaps consider new furniture to replace old, damaged or tatty pieces.
“Ever been away on holiday or a short break away from your home or office, it’s not until you return that the feelings of dread kick back in? That’s because you have had a break from all the usual links and associations. You can get the same kind of positive feelings from rearranging your living or work space.”
Change perspectives
Darren: “People will have ‘their seat’ in their regular café and will wait eagerly for the same seat, however, try not to care which seat you choose. I have had some of the richest, and amazing conversations ever with perfect strangers because I changed my attitude not to sit in an isolated seat so often which changed my whole experience.
“For psychologists, it’s about interrupting your habitual patterns of behaviour.”
Cleanse your colour pallet
Darren: “For some, a change of scenery altogether can help lift the mood. If you’re struggling to feel settled in your living room or kitchen, it could be time to get the rollers out and change the look.
“Some go green and a brown for a more natural feel. This can really complement a coffee space or area created to zone out from the stress of everyday life. Or maybe your bright crimson walls seemed like a nice touch two years ago, yet you’re now after a paler, more calming light colour – or even a basic white – to start afresh.”
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Darren Stanton is a former police officer with Derbyshire police with a degree in psychology, who used his expertise to uncover the truth when interviewing hundreds of suspects. He later moved into media and TV as a consultant, being dubbed the “Human Lie Detector” appearing on the likes of BBC’s The One Show, ITV’s This Morning with Phillip and Holly as well as working on screen with criminal barrister Robert “Judge” Rinder. He has also analysed heightened political situations including General Election debates and key interviews with the likes of Dominic Cummings.
