How Design Can Boost Self-care & Love ♡

(Image source: Wix)

The power of design has greatly benefited my mental health throughout my career as a designer (and an emerging design researcher). These four tips were effective for me, and I hope they are helpful to you.

👗👚👖 (1) Your clothing colours

One simple yet effective strategy is the colour of the clothes I choose daily. As a way to boost my mood and create a feeling of positivity, I favour bright and vibrant colours which helps set the tone for the rest of the day and gives me a good head start.

🌿 🍃 🌱 (2) Organic elements in your workspace

Another strategy I have found valuable is incorporating nature elements into my work environment. Whether it's through photographs or actual plants (such as a peace lily, snake plant, or ZZ plant just to name a few), we all know nature calms our minds. I find that having lush greens and/or organic shapes (photos) in my workspace alleviates stress and anxiety, providing a tranquil environment and elevating my sense of wellbeing, as many of us spend much of our time at work. Other effective tips (that are useful to me) are shown in the image of my work desk below:

(Image source: Author)

💻 📚 𓂃🖊 (3) Keep your desk clean and neat

Based on interior Feng Shui, maintaining a neat desk environment can significantly reduce stress levels. When I keep my desk organised and in designated areas (e.g. using storage compartments), I can create an atmosphere of order and reduce my mental strain. I find that this also improves my focus greatly! 

👃 🌸 ༄ (4) Use aromatherapy (Room Spray) for mood boosts

In addition to the aforementioned strategies, I have also incorporated aromatherapy into my work routine. Usually, I apply a room spray infused with essential oils (I recommend bergamot for uplifting and energising your mood). I found the short, pleasant scent to be instantly uplifting and provided me with a quick lift especially after my lunch break and sitting at my desk for extended periods. While you can also use a diffuser which can be pricey at times, interestingly, having a constant scent in the air might have the opposite effect! 

(Image source: Author)

As you have read, these simple aspects of my daily life are easy to implement, resulting in a Salutogenic (healthy) environment that supports my mental health - whether it's the colours I wear, nature elements, or how I organise my workspace. I encourage you to explore ways you might find effective and that fit into your lifestyle where you can also cultivate an environment that helps and sustains your mental health ᕦ(ò_ó)ᕤ

Contributor: Dr Aprille Chua, Design Educator/Researcher