Many people don't consider all the different aspects of wellness, or how their home can affect each different part. If your living conditions are detrimental to any aspect of your wellness, consider a move!
Just a reminder that while this is about how your home affects your wellness, my priority is your overall wellbeing and safety. If you're struggling in any other areas please contact a professional, but also know, I am always a safe place.
Financial Wellness
Financial Wellness doesn't mean you have all the money that you need, but that you are working toward living comfortably, saving and retirement. Dave Ramsey will tell you that your housing payment shouldn't be more than 28% of your monthly pre-tax income and 36% of your total debt. Are you wasting money on rent or are your payments more than you can handle? Your home should be a financial investment, not a strain on your financial wellness.
Want more information on having the right loan so your home is an investment? I have several lender contacts I know and trust. Want to stop wasting money on rent? I know a good Realtor. Ready to start investing? I can help with that too!
Environmental Wellness
Northwestern University defines environmental wellness as occupying pleasant, stimulating environments that support well-being. Is your neighborhood unsafe, loud or uncomfortable? That can have a negative effect on your environmental wellness. Do you have a toxic roommate (or significant other!) that you need to not live with? They're part of your environment too.
Intellectual Wellness
Intellectual wellness is being open to new ideas and thinking critically and creatively. An uncomfortable, dark or cluttered home can hinder creativity and problem solving.
Does your home have you too busy doing repairs and maintenance to focus on bettering yourself? Would you love to go back to school but you're too house poor to afford it? Does your home stunt your intellectual growth? That's a negative impact on your intellectual wellness.
Physical Wellness
You know if you have mold or pests in your home it has a negative affect on physical wellness, but there are other physical tolls your home can take.
Do you have bad knees and a second story bedroom? Are you living in an unsafe neighborhood? Is your home drafty or leaky? Do you have lead based paint, radon or other toxins? Any decent Realtor will tell you to have a whole house inspection before you purchase a house, but most renters don't take such precautions. There are home tests that can be done for mold, lead paint and more.
Social Wellness
This one has hit a little too close to home for a lot of us over the past few years, but whether we have the need for a little social distancing or not, your home can have a HUGE effect on your social wellbeing.
Hubs and I found what we called our unicorn because it hit all but one of our “requirements”. Fast forward a few years, several health issues and a global pandemic and we realized just how far 45 minutes from family can feel. We sold our “unicorn” and are so much healthier living tiny by family!
Occupational Wellness
We used to think the only impact our homes had on our occupational wellness was whether we lived to far from (or too close to) work. We have learned all too well over the last few years how our homes can affect our occupational wellness.
Work/life balance is more important now than ever. How does your home affect your balance?
Spiritual Wellness
You may not see how your home could affect your spiritual wellness, but consider if you lived somewhere that your beliefs were discriminated against. Consider if your landlord made you feel wrong or guilty for your choices. Or if you’re a homeowner, if your community had a very vocal religious community that conflicted with your beliefs.
If your living conditions are detrimental to any aspect of your wellness, it's time to consider a move!
Emotional Wellness
Your home should be your sanctuary from any negativity the world throws at you. If it's not a place of happiness and positivity, it may be taking a toll on your emotional wellbeing.
Mental health affects us all, both adults and youth. According to the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) less than 1/2 of U.S. adults who experience mental health illness get the help they need. There is no shame in asking for help.
If your home is negatively impacting any area of your health, it's likely it's also contributing to mental health struggles. I may just be a Realtor to some, but I'm also an ear to listen and a shoulder to cry on. Please, reach out. If you aren't in a place to make a personal connection, please check the links. NAMI is an amazing resource that has helped my family, and I know can help you too.
Prioritize your wellbeing, set yourself up for success and put yourself in a place that does the same. And if you're not in that place, call me. Because I make HOME a reality!
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