Why Opening Your Blinds & Curtains can help with your mental health | 247 Blog

Although we’re well aware that mental health and depression isn’t something that can be ‘a quick fix’ we do know that there are lots of ways to help you manage symptoms of depression and mental health. 

When you’re feeling low it’s important to feel safe and secure, having a space you can call home is one of the simple things that mean the most when you’re experiencing symptoms of depression. 

Lack of light causes depression symptoms to plummet, so while you’re rushing to grab your morning coffee be sure to lighten up your day by opening your blinds and curtains to allow natural light to flow through, this will help regulate hormones and neurotransmitters that have strong effects on mood, behaviour and the body’s natural rhythmic patterns.

Having a window to the outside world can help you feel more positive by reducing feelings of stress and anger by helping you to feel more connected to nature, which will promote feelings of relaxation.

We see this recommendation time and time again in articles about mental health and depression. Losing yourself in a good book can be like therapy to some. A study by a group of researchers in 2009 based on stress management shows that reading a book lowers blood pressure, heart rate and feelings of psychological distress while also taking your mind out of other thinking mode.

A restful night's sleep can feel like an impossible task to some, but it’s so important to make sure you’re resting your mind. There are lots of ways to help assist a snooze-induced sleep, like taking a hot bath with some lavender bubble bath before bed, cutting down on tech in the bedroom, and making sure your room is dark enough to sleep. Blackout Blinds are a great investment for the bedroom at a low cost, by putting a stop to any light sneaking through to rudely wake you, they also act as an insulator to regulate the temperature.

Getting into nature and being in a green space can improve mental and physical well-being, by promoting positive emotions like gratitude, calmness and can even bring some joy. Setting yourself personal tasks like doing some gardening or going for a short walk will take your mind out of overdrive, and help you to be being present in the moment. Once you have completed these little tasks, it will leave you feeling accomplished. Try not to put too much pressure to do too much during the day.

Being mindful is to be present and aware in the moment, this can help us understand our feelings and how we react to them. Focusing on the task ahead and being present with your day really helps to stop your mind from wandering and keeps you positive throughout the day.

Being grateful for the little things in life is something most of us struggle with. Appreciating the first sip of coffee in the morning, the sound of the birds on your daily walk, your warm home and family will help you focus on the things you do have rather than the things you don't. Keeping a daily journal of everything you’re thankful for helps keep us grounded, it’s so easy to look at other people's life highlights that we sometimes forget about our own, so to be reminded of what we have is vital for our mental wellbeing.