Victoria Harrison is appearing at Nourish & Inspire: The Wellness Day this Saturday 30th June to talk about how you can turn your passion into a career.
Vicky Harrison
Have fun with colour
According to research undertaken by a team the University of Manchester, when it comes to colours that make us feel happy, yellow is a clear winner. Yellow is a powerful shade to use in your home, so use it sparingly, as a highlight colour to add drama or introduce an element of fun. Try using yellow on cushions, vases or even the lining of a curtain. Painting the inside edge of a door is a fun way reveal a small sliver of sunshine each time you open it.
Choose happy scents
We often forget about scent in the home, but fragrance can have a powerful effect on our moods, so think of it as the final ‘layer’ in your decorating scheme. Choose fresh herb, or fruit scents for the kitchen (mint or lemon), use warm cocooning scents such as amber and vanilla in a living room, and choose fresh citrus fragrances for bathrooms.
Tidy up
A messy house can equal a messy mind, so edit down the items in your home on a regular basis for a feeling of calm and happiness. Start to filter out unnecessary items on a daily basis, to stop clutter building up to scary levels. Cupboards full of kitchen appliances you only used once? Sell or donate them. Old coats cluttering up your hall cupboard? Donate them to a charity and claim back your storage space.'
Go outside
Contact with nature is a quick win when it comes to happiness levels, so give your garden, balcony or outside space some love, and make it an appealing place to spend time in. Green up your space with plants, shrubs and trees and think about seating, lighting and accessories as you would an indoor living space.
Snuggle up
The Danes have known it for years; Hygge or a feeling of ‘cosiness’ at home can instantly boost your happiness levels, so consider the tactile qualities of furniture and accessories when shopping for new items (think about how the material feels as well as how it looks). Polished wood, hand-glazed pottery, crisp cottons and soft linens are all worth investing in.
Get some Flower Power
Flowers have been proven to boost happiness levels and it’s easy to see why, my mood always feels brighter when I take the time to fill a vase with flowers. Treat yourself to a bunch of your favourite flowers, or try to grow your own from seed. Sweet peas, lavender and even roses can all be grown in containers on a balcony or terrace.
Breathe fresh air
Not only do houseplants look fabulous, they're also good for your health and happiness too. The majority of houseplants release oxygen during the day, but a small tribe of plants that go against the grain and work hard to clean the air right through the night. The following plants are all night-time oxygenators, so choose one for your bedroom to stand guard over you while you snooze.
- Aloe vera
- Dendrobium orchids
- Gerbera
- Moth orchid (Phalaenopsis)
- Mother-in-law's tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata)
- Peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisi)'
Victoria Harrison is appearing at Nourish & Inspire: The Wellness Day this Saturday 30th June to talk about how you can turn your passion into a career.
Tickets are available via https://www.nourish-inspire.com/events/
Victoria Harrison is the author of Happy By Design, published by Aster (octopusbooks.co.uk)