6 ways to boost your wellbeing at home

Wellbeing may seem like just the latest buzzword but taking time to promote your mental and physical health has never been more important.

After months of bad news and increased restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many people are feeling overwhelmed and low. This week (w/c June 21st) is World Wellbeing Week, an annual campaign to raise awareness of the importance of wellbeing so to mark the occasion, we’re looking at six things you can do at home to feel better about yourself and the world around you.

1. Make sure you have space to relax

More and more people are now working from home, which can make it harder to switch off and relax at the end of a busy day. In an ideal world, your home office would be in a separate room which you could physically leave and close the door on when you’ve finished your work. If you’re not lucky enough to have space for an actual office at home, try to create a specific area for working. If you work in your living room, try to keep the space where you work separate from the place you kick back and relax. This might mean setting up a small desk in the corner and dividing it from the rest of the room with a piece of furniture or a large plant. Having a dedicated place to work can help you switch off outside office hours.

 

2. Invest in some calming houseplants

One simple way to improve your health and wellbeing at home is to add more houseplants to your living space. Plants act as a natural filter to the air, removing toxins and replacing them with oxygen. Studies also suggest they offer a range of psychological benefits, including lifting your mood, reducing stress levels, and increase your attention span.

 

3. Focus on the present

Being mindful can help you feel less stressed and more content with your life. Take some time each day to switch off from all the usual distractions and just focus on your breathing and how you feel in the moment. Dismiss any thoughts which pop into your head and deal with them later. If you need a little help grounding your thoughts, there are mindfulness apps and guided meditations online which can help you achieve a feeling of calm and peace.

 

4. Learn something new

Teaching yourself a new skill is a great way of building your self-confidence and can be very rewarding. Think about something you’ve always wanted to do, whether it is to speak a different language, get to grips with a craft activity or enrol on a distance learning course. Making time for yourself to exercise your brain and gain new skills can boost your feelings of positivity and give you a sense of purpose.

 

5. Pick a set bedtime

One of the best ways of supporting your health and wellbeing is to get a healthy amount of sleep each night. Adults typically need between seven and nine hours a night but making sure you get enough can be tricky if you have no set routine. Choosing a set bedtime and developing a regular routine can help train your body to relax and unwind at a certain time. Your body has an internal clock on a 24-hour cycle, known as a circadian rhythm. Irregular bedtimes can confuse this natural rhythm and lead to poor-quality sleep, tiredness, irritability, and low energy levels.

6. Create a relaxing haven

Create a space in your home which is dedicated to relaxing. Make sure you have somewhere comfortable where you can take the weight off your feet, lie back, and forget about the worries of the world. Invest in a comfortable sofa or chair with a recliner feature and go for some ambient lighting to help you relax. Keep this area of your home clean and clutter-free. Have some books and magazines nearby (so long as they have nothing to do with your day job) and some soft textiles like blankets and cushions to snuggle up with on colder evenings.

Why not treat yourself to a new suite so you can sit back and relax in style? Find your nearest La-Z-Boy stockist and drop in to experience comfort on another level.