Covid-19 support – Page 5

5 interior design ideas to help you feel calm at home

Mental health isn’t just about what is going on in our heads. Our physical environment has a significant impact on our mood – all it takes is an untidy bedroom or a disorderly office for our stress levels to rise. Although lockdown has lifted for many of us and we are (slowly) getting back to our usual routines, lots of us are still spending most of our time at home. So it’s never been more important to feel calm and relaxed in our living environment. Want to create an oasis of tranquillity in your home but don’t know where to begin? Read our top interior design tips for how to achieve a stress-free living space.

Keep it clean

Having a clean and tidy home is one of the first steps to achieving your inner zen. Believe it or not, there’s a close link between clutter and stress. We might not realise it, but when we are surrounded by mess, we instantly feel more irritable and on edge. Keeping a tidy home really does help to have a tidy mind. Did you know that cleaning itself can actually alleviate stress? So if you’re feeling on edge, why not pick up a rag and get to work? If you don’t have time to clean your home yourself, why not hire a cleaner to give you a helping hand?

Say hello to house plants

Plants have endless benefits. They can increase our mood, reduce our anxiety levels, and even help us to sleep. What’s more, their visual appeal makes them a great addition to any home. Popping a plant in your house will create an instant sense of calm. If you’re worried about keeping your plant alive, aloe vera is a great option as it is calming and requires very little upkeep.

Pick peaceful colours

Different colours evoke different moods. If you’ve ever entered a room with soft, neutral shades and instantly felt serene, that’s because lighter, pastel hues such as ivory and grey are proven to help lower blood pressure. If you want to give your room a fresh and bright feel, soft, pastel tones of yellow, green, and blue can add a touch of vibrancy. Did you know that some colours bring out different moods? Looking for a room that exudes positive energy? Go for yellow! Want to feel connected to nature? Green is the way forward.

Zone your space

Covid-19 has caused lots of offices to close for the foreseeable future, leaving many of us to get creative with our own DIY home office attempts. If you are working from home, make sure that you separate your workspace and living space. Mixing the two can confuse our brains, making it hard for us to unwind after a day of work. Try and add a couple of physical markers to help separate your space. Simple things like putting up a notice board, table, and chair in your workspace will help you to feel like you’re in an office. Likewise, make sure there’s a designated space to unwind and relax – keep it cosy with cushions and rugs.

Keep it flexible with moveable furniture

Having a healthy mind isn’t just down to the space you inhabit, it’s about what you do to keep yourself busy. A serene living space is perfectly complemented with relaxing exercises like Pilates, Yoga, or Meditation. Flexible furniture means you can easily create space to practice these exercises at home. With online exercise classes on the rise, you should have no problem finding one suited to your fitness levels and interests.

You won’t know which interior design style works for your home and personality until you give it a go. But a few touches here and there can help you create a home that will alleviate stress and bring calm. That’s worth its weight in gold.

From aromatherapy to alternative healing, click here to connect with a Health and Wellness expert on Bark. If you fancy giving your home a face lift too, click here to be put in touch with a House and Home Professional. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered – let us do the leg work.

6 Cleaning Tips To Keep Your Home Covid-19 Free

Most of us are comfortable with knowing how to protect ourselves from Covid-19 in public – practicing social distancing, regularly applying hand sanitiser, and the golden rule – washing our hands. But now that lockdown is easing, and more of us are venturing outdoors, how can we protect ourselves from Covid-19 sneaking into our homes? After all, we are still spending more time at home than ever, whether for work or leisure, so keeping our houses free from infection should be something we all know how to do. If you’re not sure how to avoid the spread of coronavirus in your house, you’re in the right place. Read our top cleaning tips for how to keep Covid-19 at bay in your home.

1) Tackle high-touch surfaces

High-touch surfaces are everyday items and surfaces that run a greater risk of germ transmission as they are touched frequently during the day. Think of door handles, light switches, and smartphones. Wiping these surfaces down in your home at least two times a day is an effective way to reduce the spread of coronavirus. You don’t need fancy disinfectant that will break the bank – household cleaners will do the trick! If you don’t have time to clean your home yourself, why not hire a local cleaner to get the job done for you? They will be experts in germ prevention and disinfecting your home.

2) Shop smartly

Love it or hate it, shopping is one of those essential tasks that we just can’t avoid. While supermarkets are implementing several measures to keep customers safe, including limiting the number of people in-store and one-way flow systems, there is still a risk of Covid-19 transmission. Luckily, there are lots of ways to prevent coronavirus from entering your home. Make sure you wipe down food packages before putting them away, wash your hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds after unpacking your groceries, and regularly clean your kitchen counters with disinfectant.

3) Wash your hands as soon as you get home

Many of us are spending more time out and about now that lockdown is easing, whether that’s going back to work or seeing family or friends. Remember to wash your hands for at least twenty seconds as soon as you get home to prevent any unwanted germs creeping in. Covid-19 is like the unwelcome guest at the party – don’t let it worm its way inside.

4) Turn up the heat a notch

Germs can cling onto all sorts of surfaces, including clothes and towels. Washing these at a higher temperature can minimise the risk of germs spreading. Always check the label to find out the warmest washing temperature for each garment. Make sure you wash cleaning products like mop heads and dishcloths regularly, too.

5) Get your kitchen sparkling clean

Kitchens are hot-beds for spreading germs. From coffee machines to chopping boards, they can hide in the most unexpected of places. If you want to keep your home Covid-19 free, keep your kitchen spick and span. As well as cleaning more obvious areas such as counters and tabletops, remember to tackle additional items such as small appliances and cutlery.

6) Get rid of pet fur

There is no better addition to a home than a beloved pet, but its fur can carry unwanted germs, including traces of coronavirus. To reduce germ transmission, regularly remove pet fur from your home and wash your hands after you touch your pet, especially after taking it for a walk.

Can house cleaning really stop the spread of coronavirus?

As much as it can be a pain, keeping on top of house cleaning is crucial for reducing the spread of infection in our homes, including Covid-19. Having a clean and tidy house also creates a serene environment for us to live in and keeps us healthier, both physically and mentally. So it’s a win-win.

Time to get your home in shape? Click here to browse trusted, local cleaning experts on Bark today. Our professionals provide commercial and office cleaning services, too!