Spending little, or nothing, it’s possible to make your home more pleasant in order to reduce the stress of maintaining the quarantine.
Although already more flexible in many cities all over Brazil, social distancing is still a reality in the country – for many, since the second half of March – as a form of containment against the proliferation of the new coronavirus. After six months, we can declare that we’ve never remained at home for such a long time, except for extreme reasons, in our whole life. And if the future is still uncertain as to when we’ll return to what is called “normal”, what we can say
is that making our homes a better place to live is one of the ways to keep mentally healthy.
It’s possible to enliven our house by making small changes in its structure, making the space cozier, more functional, practical and comfortable as possible, whether one lives alone or shares the home with others. And you’re wrong if you think this means “buying”, when, actually, the focus is on “reorganizing”. Yes, that’s right, before going through sites with domestic items, pay attention to what you already have at home and see how a simple change in position brings new life to the place.
This even considers small details, such as changing the photos in picture frames, using memorable moments, or even changing the positions of the frames and paintings you have. Preferably, position them in a way that they are in your sight during office hours. This is because, doubtlessly, one of the advantages of the home office is decorating your work station in your own way. And speaking of which, bet on a comfortable chair, especially if you
spend many hours at your desk.
Changing the position of the furniture also has two positive effects for those who spend a lot of time at home. The first, and most obvious one, is abandoning the commonplace, the monotony. The second benefit is being able to make the space roomier, depending on the new positioning. Opening up spaces in the home, especially in smaller residences, is basic for reducing the sense of imprisonment during social distancing. Move the sofa, the dinner table, the bed, the desk, or whatever piece of furniture you wish, using creativity and always thinking of your comfort. This also helps to define places for work and leisure – essential for
those who have children, for instance – in the same room.
With regard to small expenses, invest in changing the light bulbs, or even including a floor lamp or a hanging one, as ways of changing the lighting in a room or ambiance. It’s also nice to invest in plants. From a small vase with a cactus to an exuberant orchid, or a large Swiss cheese plant, there are many plants that will make the ambiance look new, and caring for the plant is a great pastime. Lastly, invest in candles or essential oils – which can be produced at home – to make the air lighter with aromas that, besides being purifying, can combat restlessness and agitation, such as lemongrass.
