Even if the medical staff made sure that their stay was comfortable throughout their treatment, your loved one is likely to be looking forward to their homecoming. It means that they are well enough to go home and continue their recovery in more familiar surroundings. As the adage goes, “there is no place like home” but you still need to consider the current condition of your home and make sure that it is suited for your loved one’s recovery.
Home environment impacts physical and mental well-being. What you see, feel, and hear can affect your mood, energy level, and ability to rest, which in turn contribute to the healing process. Additionally, a person in recovery may have limitations to their movement or other special requirements that necessitate a change in their living spaces.
Prioritize Rest
One of the best ways to recover from a serious injury or illness is to get proper rest, so make sure that the patient’s bedroom is an ideal environment for sleep and relaxation. You may want to adjust the thermostat to ensure it is cool and comfortable, along with limiting the light at night with blackout shades or curtains. Also, dim the lights coming from electronic devices and turn off the TV as they prepare for bed. If you live in a city, you may want to invest in a white noise machine that can reduce the impact of outside sounds. In addition, you can improve sleep with bed quality. Make sure to use comfortable bedding and a mattress that won’t cause back and shoulder pains.
Remove Clutter
It’s important to keep your home clean. Clutter provides a visual for chaos, which can increase stress levels. Aside from removing dust and toxins, a tidy space promotes a feeling of balance. If you feel that cleaning is a huge task to undertake, start with a small area. Clear the kitchen counter, declutter a drawer, or organize a shelf, then you can move on to the next space. You may also want to maintain a clutter-free environment by including tidying up as part of your daily task. This can also promote a healthy habit. If your loved one is allowed to move around or was recently treated in a Fort Myers drug rehab or another similar facility, get them involved in cleaning up as physical activity can help improve vitality.
Add Elements of Nature
Nature has a healing effect on physical and mental health. Even seeing natural elements can alleviate stress, creating a more pleasant feeling. Set up a spot for your loved one to rest by the window with a nice view of the outside if they are unable to go out. If there is not much greenery in your area, you may want to create a pocket garden on the balcony or place house plants around your home. Having plants also increases oxygen and improves air quality, which helps improve respiratory functions.
Enhance the Lighting
Getting exposed to sunlight has multiple health benefits, including the increase of vitamin D that boosts the immune system. Also, bright light can reduce depression and anxiety because basking in natural light increases the body’s serotonin levels, which is a natural mood stabilizer. Consider moving the furniture to make it easier to sit in the sunlight. You may also keep your window blinds open during the daytime.
In addition, you can supplement natural light with indoor lighting. Consider the mood you want to set in specific areas of your home and replace the light bulbs accordingly. For example, bulbs that produce blue light can help you be more alert and focused, which may work well in the kitchen and office. Warm light is soothing and relaxing, so they are perfect to use in the living room and bedroom.
Include Meaningful Décor
If your loved one is mostly confined to their bedroom, you might fill their space with meaningful items that can cheer them up. Objects that evoke positive emotions can help them stay optimistic about their health and speed up their recovery. Add photographs of family and friends, their favorite artwork, or meaningful mementos. You may even bring out travel books to help them look forward to future travel plans.
If you want to take on a larger decorating project, paint the room walls before they get home. Carefully consider the mood you want to have in the area when choosing a color. Red, orange, and yellow can help you feel energized, while blue, green, and violet promote feelings of peace and restfulness.
Recovering at home is often more restful because familiarity brings comfort. However, you need to make sure that the space is conducive to rest and recuperation. Check all the rooms that your recovering loved one will be using and make sure that everything is ready for their homecoming. By transforming your home into a place of healing, you won’t just speed up their recovery process, it may even support your own wellness.
