Can Your Bedroom Affect Your Mental Health?

*This is a collaborative post on whether your bedroom affects your mental health

Mental health problems are more common than you think! It is estimated that a quarter of people (1 in 4) have a mental health problem of some kind each year, and various factors can contribute to them.

Social media is the most widely cited trigger in modern times, but past trauma, stress, finances and pressure are prevalent.

You might experience bouts of anger, anxiety, panic, depression, loneliness or something else. Whichever way your mental health problems manifest, your bedroom and house could be fanning the flames, making your problems worse.

What the science says 

Science says an untidy home can signify mental health problems because your living environment reflects your state of being.

Clutter is a physical manifestation of mental health problems, signifying an unhealthy connection to the past. The inability to throw clutter out is a sign of anxiety since throwing items out you might need can make you anxious.

Cleanliness is a form of self-respect. When you have an unclean home, you can feel ashamed. Cleaning your home can boost your self-confidence and morale, lifting you from the pits of despair to a place of light.

Your bedroom is the most important room in your house for mental health because it is the only place you can be naked and free. When your bedroom is messy and untidy, you will find it harder to let things go.

Colours also affect our feelings and emotions. Black is the worst colour for mental health, but dark colours of any shade can also make you sad. It is better to surround yourself with bright, happy colours in your bedroom. 

Mental health and an untidy bedroom 

A messy bedroom is a sign of a chaotic and stressed mind, while depressing colours can sap your energy and make you feel sad and alone.

While no bedroom is free from disorder, a bedroom that isn’t tidy can stress you out and knock your pride. When you need somewhere peaceful to unwind after a stressful day, a messy bedroom can make you feel even worse.  

Of course, a messy bedroom can also signify laziness and being too busy to clean, but these don’t change how the untidiness makes you feel!

Even bedroom furniture can affect your mental health. For example, the coldness of a metal bed might make you uncomfortable, in which case a wooden bed is a better choice.

However, the real problems start when your bedroom starts affecting your sleep.

When your bedroom affects your sleep, it can devastate your physical and mental health. A lack of sleep puts you at risk of medical conditions like diabetes, blood pressure disorders like hypertension and obesity.

A lack of sleep is also linked to anxiety, depression, erratic behaviour, poor cognitive function, low performance, and memory problems. Suffice to say, getting a good night’s sleep is essential to your being!

How to make your bedroom a happier place

• Declutter your bedroom – get rid of anything you don’t use and be ruthless with things like shoes, clothes, toiletries and ornaments.
• Clean your bedroom – clean everything from top to bottom, including under furniture, the window frames and your electronics.
• Make your bed first thing in the morning – this will make the first thing you do an achievement, helping you feel confident and happy.
• Upgrade your mattress – get a mattress that supports your body with a squishy top layer. A medium mattress is an excellent place to start.
• Make a bright feature wall – paint or wallpaper the wall behind your bed in a bright colour. Pastel shades are always a great option.
• Pick happy, uplifting art for walls – art arouses our emotions, so it makes sense to choose art that makes you feel joyous.
• Try aromatherapy – essential oils like lavender, peppermint and rosemary can make you feel relaxed and help you sleep.