Make Your Albuquerque Home More Livable
Now more than ever, your home is your haven. Or, at least, it should be. But is your home in Albuquerque really making you happy, or are there aspects of your place that are bringing you down? Little fixes can turn it all around.
Get some houseplants
Having plants around the house not only can lift your spirits, but improve your health. They're great for both mind and body.
Why are plants so beneficial? They essentially do the opposite of what we do when we breathe: release oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide. This not only freshens up the air, but also eliminates harmful toxins. Extensive research by NASA has revealed that houseplants can remove up to 87 per cent of air toxin in 24 hours. Studies have also proven that indoor plants improve concentration and productivity (by up to 15 percent!), reduce stress levels and boost your mood.
Put your stuff away
Having clutter laying all over can create chaos not only in your home, but in your mind. Studies have identified a direct link between the stress hormone cortisol and clutter. Cortisol is not just linked to stress. At elevated levels, it also causes depression. In addition, decluttering leads to eating better and improves air quality.
Paint something
Choose a wall, an old piece of furniture, or an entire room. It’s a manageable project you can do yourself and one that can totally change the energy of a space. Or, buy a canvas and create an art piece you can then hang in your home. "Creating art teaches you to be attuned with aesthetic of the visual world around you and makes you appreciate the beauty in and of life,” said Health Fitness Revolution. “You gain a new appreciation for the texture of a tree’s bark or the fur of a dog, of the various highlights and shadows playing on even the more bare of white walls. Embracing the beauty around you gives you a more positive outlook of the world and can even decrease the risk of mental illness.”
Make those little fixes
The burned-out light bulb 20 feet up in the living room. The broken drawer pull in the kitchen. All those little annoyances are stealing your joy. Pick a Sunday and attack them one by one, or make a list and check it twice and have your handyman tackle it for you.
Build a garden
Wouldn’t it be nice to grow your own veggies, or at least fresh herbs? Perhaps the best news about gardening is how it can make you feel, and not just when you’re eating what you have managed to grow. Getting your hands dirty in the garden can increase your serotonin levels—contact with soil and a specific soil bacteria, Mycobacterium vaccae, triggers the release of serotonin in our brain according to research. Serotonin is a happy chemical, a natural anti-depressant and strengthens the immune system.
Taking the time to make your home more enjoyable is worth the effort. Your home will truly be a haven where you can be safe and happy.
Contact us today to help you buy or sell your next home in Albuquerque. Looking for the perfect home for sale in Albuquerque? Our easy-to-use home search tool can help you start the process. Join us twice a week on our blog for more real estate advice and great reasons to buy a home in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. Follow us on Facebook for the latest Albuquerque real estate updates.
HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!
10032 BRIDGEPOINTE Court NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111 $459,000
3 Bedrooms / 3 Bathrooms (2 full, 1 half) / 2466 Square Feet
Delightful Custom Home in the prestigious gated golf course community of Tanoan! Soaring cathedral ceiling & grand staircase welcome you through the impressive foyer. This immaculate home features clerestory, bow & picture windows invitng the natural light in & raised tray ceilings gracing several rooms thru-out. Cozy fireplace is heart of family room w/custom wainscoting flowing into ample dining room & open kitchen w/island, eat at bar, SS appliances & gorgeous granite counters. Upper level features 3 privately situated bedrooms w/stunning views from their own balconies; Master suite w/spa like en suite with stainglass window, sitting area w/fireplace & balcony to enjoy city & mtn views. Lush backyard w/covered & open patios is a bird watchers dream-w/flagstone & lawn w/brick border.
Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details!
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