If You Notice These 11 Details In Someone's Home, They're Probably Struggling Emotionally
Creating sustainable change, protecting your emotional well-being, and setting yourself up for success all rely on healthy habits and personalized routines, as a study from the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine explains. From cleaning routines to hygiene, and even decorating a living space, these are the things that actually make a difference in our general well-being. That’s part of the reason why small details and mundane habits can also often be “red flags” for how someone’s feeling internally.
Even if it’s clutter or unopened mail, if you notice these details in someone’s home, they’re probably struggling emotionally. They might seem like unimportant things to someone who feels happy and emotionally regulated, but they’re more influential and telling to someone with a lot going on inside.
Here are 11 signs that someone might be struggling emotionally, based on their home environment:
- Stacks of comfort movies or books
Rewatching the same movies and TV shows over and over, coined our “comfort shows,” is often a means of seeking control and instant safety when we’re feeling emotionally overwhelmed. That’s why it’s common for people struggling with chronic stress or depression to lean on comfort shows on a regular basis — they know what to expect and can unwind without considering uncertainty.
- A lack of hygiene products
Even if it’s stigmatized and talked about less than other symptoms, a loss of hygiene routines and practices is often common in people struggling with depression. They struggle to even get out of bed in the morning, so of course, other seemingly simple daily tasks like showering or brushing their teeth feel impossible.
- Unopened mail and bills
There are people who don’t like to open their mail out of convenience, and there are people who struggle to open it because of inner turmoil, anxiety, or unresolved trauma. Even if it feels like a simple habit in your own routine, if there are stacks of unopened mail and bills in someone else’s home, it could be a sign that they’re struggling emotionally.
- Too much ‘convenience’ food
A study from Nutrients found that people who consume more processed foods are more likely to experience depressive and anxiety-ridden symptoms in their daily routines. On top of missing out on the mindfulness and de-stressing moments of actually cooking food for themselves, these people miss out on the nutrients and energy that come from eating healthy and intentional foods.
- Unwelcoming lighting
There’s a ton of research that reminds us of the effects of light on our general well-being. From living in darkness to missing out on natural light, and even having too bright lights inside a living space, mental health is largely affected by how our space looks and feels.
- A lack of personality
Our living spaces should have an element of our own personal aesthetics and interests. They should feel like our safe places to land, whether we need rest, support, or energy.
- A lack of organization
According to a study from the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, people with poor routines and a lack of structure in their lives generally report higher levels of anxiety and internal strain. They don’t have healthy habits to lean on when things get chaotic, and their mental health isn’t supported by the inevitable routines that boost their mood and connect them with support.
- No natural light
According to a study from the Journal of Affective Disorders, being in natural light can improve mood and well-being immediately. Whether it’s natural light flooding in from the windows of a person’s home or sunlight on their skin stepping outside for a quick walk, it’s powerful.
- A build-up of clutter and dust
Cluttered homes can quickly become an issue, negatively chipping away at your mental health and stress levels, sometimes without even noticing it in the moment. That’s why cleaning routines and de-cluttering schedules are so fundamental to overall well-being, even if they’re annoying or time-consuming to keep up with.
- An unmade bed
Making your bed every day can immediately boost your mood, releasing dopamine that crafts it as a regular habit amid your chaotic routine. So, not only are you boosting your mood and creating some kind of order for you to return to, you’re solidifying better habits with a very low-effort practice.
- Constant background noise
According to a study from The Gerontologist, many people, especially later in life, tolerate and misguidedly cope with loneliness or isolation by relying on their television. They use mindless entertainment as a distraction and leave their TV on for constant background noise to feel less alone, even if it only adds more clutter and information to their overloaded brains.
These signs can be subtle and may not always be obvious, but they can provide valuable insights into someone's emotional state. If you notice any of these details in someone's home, it might be a good idea to reach out and offer support.
