2023 Wellbeing interior design trends

Home office corner.

Interior design experts reveal top tips that can benefit your health from your home choices

When the COVID-19 pandemic spread worldwide, the importance of good mental health and looking after your physical well-being became top priorities.

Interior design experts from Hovia.com have researched and recommended top tips on how to arrange your home up to gain more health benefits.  

Let in Natural Sunlight. In your home or office, turn off those fluorescent and bring in more natural sunlight. Dako Windows researched that the exposure to natural light helps our bodies produce Vitamin D, positively effects circadian rhythms, sleeping patterns, motivation and has proven to improve our mood and happiness.   

Add Nature Elements to your interior design. The plant wallpaper can really add some great benefits to your indoor space. The University of Exeter have researched by bringing plant elements into your daily life can massively boost your wellbeing by 47%, creativity by 45% and productivity by 38%.

Decorate your home or office space with plants or building a plant shelf, other ways to directly involve plants is featuring fresh flowers in a vase. To add nature elements, you can invest in natural furniture or add a nature wallpaper feature wall.   

Enjoy the view in your home. According to Chromogenics, it has proven to have positive health effects such as being more creative, energized, and productive. You can design your space with a view by creating one with a photographic or nature inspired art prints or choosing a picturesque landscape wallpaper, it’s great to add in hanging plants around your window, which also brings the benefits of bringing in nature indoors.   

Sleep in darkness to get a better sleeping pattern and relaxation. UDesign stated that in the UK a staggering 70% of us sleep less than 7 hours per night, which is an important statistic as half an hour less sleep than needed can be detrimental to your health as it has a cumulative effect.

Sleep Foundation have researched that sleeping in darkness can help stimulate the production of melatonin which is a hormone that helps you fall asleep quicker. There are many benefits to a good sleep overall such as being more motivated, alert and boosted immunity.   

One of the best tips to getting a good night’s sleep is investing in blackout blinds, shutters or curtains to create the darkest bedroom possible.

Picking a wallpaper or paint colour that is a cool or neutral color like blues, greens and greys can reduce your heart rate, lower your blood pressure and slow down your breathing rate.

To create a more relaxing environment to encourage sleep, use diffusers or essential oils to fill your bedroom with smells like lavender. In the summer months use a quiet fan or wool duvet to prevent overheating at night.  

Experience a Creative Corner. Updating an unused corner, to create a new space for yourself is an easy and satisfying way update your room and unwind. For example, using this space for a yoga or meditation area can manage your stress, reduce negative emotions, increase creativity, and also motivate you to adapt a daily habit.   

You can design a new environment through different decorations and can separate the room by trying a new calming wallpaper or paint color.  You can also invest in a room separator to give the corner a new space to relax. Keeping the space tidy and clutter free will keep you less stressed and more productive. Incorporate mood lighting is a great way to create a relaxing atmosphere.

Email: advertise@fromgirltogirl.com to feature your interior design products.

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[Survey] 66% Say Quality Family Time Improves Mental Health

Woman thinking with her brain.
new survey found 79% believe family game nights help combat seasonal depression. 32% of Americans have a game night once a month.
In 2023, 56% plan on spending more quality time with their families. Nearly 3 in 4 encourage their family to stay off their phones during game night. Take a look at the full report.
February/ March is the time of year when seasonal affective disorder starts to kick in.
Here is how Americans combat the winter blues:

Well, a new survey found 79% believe family game nights help combat seasonal depression. In fact, over half of Americans (56%) are focusing on spending more quality time with family this year. 

Additional stats on quality family time:
66% believe quality time with the family improves mental health
42% have family dinners together every night
28% believe family time builds self-esteem

Over 70% believe phones and social media interfere with quality time together.

97% say they feel families should spend even more time together!

On average, Americans spend 9 hours of quality time together per week, but would like to spend around 13 hours together.

To feature your research, starting price is $100. Email advertise@fromgirltogirl.com .

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2023 Relational New Year’s Resolutions

2023 is a time to leave 2022 in the rearview mirror and begin again, and that is what many Americans are hoping to do. Nearly 4 in 5 (78%) are trying to set healthy boundaries in 2023. 

The top interpersonal New Year’s resolutions is prioritizing self-care, saying no, making time for self, spending time with others, and limiting time on social media. 

Other resolutions Americans are setting for 2023 focus on mental health. 1 in 4 (24%) are planning to skip or leave commitments earlier in the new year, and 1 in 6 (16%) are not planning to work overtime or off the clock. 

Some are turning to others for help with nearly 1 in 3 (32%) planning to go to therapy in 2023. 38% women compared to 24% men are planning to do that. Generation-wise, younger generations are turning to therapy the most. 40% of Gen Zers and 35% of Millennials are planning to get therapy in 2023. Separately, only 26% of Gen Xers are planning on it and 15% of Baby Boomers are looking into it. 

The new year is a time to start over. If you are feeling boxed into doing things you do not want to do, do not continue the cycle. Now more than ever is the time to prioritize your mental health and your happiness. At the end of the day, that’s what is the important.

Methodology

In October 2022,  Thriving Center of Psychology surveyed 1,001 people to learn about their relationships and how they set or do not set boundaries. 49% were men, 48% women, 2% nonbinary, and 1% transgender. Respondents ranged in age from 18 to 79 with an average age of 37. 18% were Gen Z, 50% Millennials, 22% Gen X, and 10% Baby Boomers. 

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New Study: District of Columbia No. 3 Best Place to Indulge on Thanksgiving

sliced turkey
Infographic on American overall health during the holidays.
new study found District of Columbia (D.C.) is the No. 3 healthiest place in America. If you are in D.C. for the holiday, this is welcoming news for those who want to go up for seconds on Thanksgiving.

The holidays are the perfect time to eat, drink, and be merry but Americans should be mindful not to fall off the wagon completely. Excessive drinking, eating, stress, and travel causes more emergency room visits, and a 4% increase in cardiac deaths from holiday heart attacks. Life Extension today released a study on the Healthiest States This Holiday Season after analyzing eight key metrics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention spanning diet, exercise, alcohol intake, and mental health in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Key findings that led to District of Columbia’s No. 3 ranking show 86.1% of adults are in good overall health, 51.6% have good mental health, 83.8% exercise regularly, 83.6% eat vegetables daily, 8.4% are heavy drinkers and 9.8% smoke.

The 10 healthiest states are Utah, Massachusetts, D.C., Connecticut, Maryland, Hawaii, Illinois, Colorado, New Hampshire, and New Jersey.  

3 Tips to Indulge Intelligently This Thanksgiving   

1) Swap Decadent Dishes for Healthier Version: Enjoy all the flavors but watch your portion size and swap some decadent dishes for healthier versions. For example, oat cookies instead of sugar cookies, or mashed cauliflower instead of mashed potatoes. 

2) Do Not Skip the Thanksgiving Turkey:  Some people stay away from turkey because they think it makes them tired – this is a myth! It is the overeating and heavy carbs in side dishes causing the post-meal food coma. In fact, the tryptophan in turkey offers multiple health benefits, particularly when it comes to improving your mood.   

3) Do Not Eat Your Emotions: Spending time with family on Thanksgiving can be stressful which leads to overeating. To offset culinary excess, exercise regularly, take herbal supplements that promote weight loss, and eat healthy snacks throughout the day. 

Thank you Michael A. Smith, MD from Life Extension.

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1/3 of Americans Don’t Know About Period Sex

What people wish they knew sooner about sex by Zodiac sign.
From as young as 8 years old female bodies start to significantly change and it can be hard to cope with. Starting your period is one of the most daunting experience for girls as part of puberty because it is often surrounded by misinformation and mystery.

Rest assure, periods are completely normal and show us that our bodies are working! New research from sexual wellness brand Lovehoney.com has revealed that one of the main things people wish they’d known sooner about their sexual health is that having sex while on your period is healthy (31%). Over a quarter of all Americans (26%) wish they’d known that periods can lead to an increased sex drive. 

Here are top things people wish they’d known sooner about their sex lives.

Sex – What people wish they’d known sooner
Having sex on your period is normal and healthy.
It is also normal for things such as depression to impact your ability to orgasm ( a problem for 28% of Americans).

It’s normal for your sex drive to change without a significant event occurring. Periods can lead to a higher sex drive. It’s normal for medications to impact your sex drive.

You can find below the full research along with commentary from Clinical Sexologist, Ness Cooper.

Research reveals what Americans wish they’d known sooner about their sex lives 
A quarter of men in the U.S. (25%) wish they knew that it’s normal for depression to impact the ability to orgasm. 27% of adults in the U.S. wish they were told that changes to their sex drive without a significant event occurring are normal.

From menstruation to menopause, to mental health issues and uncomfortable medical conditions, there are many more stages of life that adults might go through as time passes by. People may be aware of how these events can impact their bodies – but how much is known about how they can affect sex lives?

Methodology
For better insight into the ways in which a person’s sex life might change, sexual wellness brand Lovehoney.com put together a guide of some common stages adults go through, and what they might mean when it comes to getting intimate. They also asked more than 2,000 American adults what they wish they’d known sooner about factors that might influence their sex lives. View the full study .

29% of Heterosexual people say having sex on your period is normal and healthy

37% of Lesbian people say having sex on your period is normal and healthy

34 % Gay people say it is normal for your sex drive to change without a significant event occurring

46% of Bisexual people say having sex on your period is normal and healthy

50% of Transgender people say having sex less often throughout menopause is completely normal

25% Intersex people say having sex less often throughout menopause is completely normal

33% of Asexual people say menopause can lead to a lower sex drive

50% of Pansexual people say it is normal for things such as depression to impact your ability to orgasm.

There are so many things that contribute to sex life changes. Lovehoney enlisted clinical sexologist and therapist, Ness Cooper, shares some advice on how to ensure our sexual happiness and wellbeing even when these changes happen.

“There’s no set answer on how to ensure sexual happiness and wellbeing as it will be dependant of the situation partly. However there is a strong like to greater sexual wellbeing and sex life when there’s the ability to consent and communicate. This can allow repair when any sexual discrepancies do arise and help individuals, couples, and moresomes find solutions to any issues that do occur.”

Sexual wellbeing and sex life can also be affected by non-erotic wellbeing and making sure we as individuals and in relationships practise non-erotic self-care can help also improve erotic and sexual satisfaction and wellbeing.

“If you or your partner(s) are experiencing any sexual issues that you’re finding hard to navigate, gaining support from your healthcare provider or a psychosexual therapist can be helpful.”

About Lovehoney
Established in 2002 in Bath, Lovehoney Group Ltd designs, manufactures and distributes its own branded and third party pleasure products globally with over 150 products developed inhouse each year. It is the UK’s biggest online adult retailer with 8 other websites globally including; France, Germany, Spain, EU, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Its 300-strong team is based across the UK, USA and Australia and serves its 2.2m global customer base. Over the last six years, overseas sales have grown from £12m to £56m, an overall growth of 365%. In addition, the percentage of sales exported has risen from 27% to 45%. The company’s top five overseas markets are the USA, Australia, EU, Canada, and New Zealand. In April, the company won the Queen’s Award for International Trade for Outstanding Continuous Growth in overseas sales over the last six years.

Methodology
The survey data in this study was based on a survey of 2,016 U.S. residents over the age of 18 in September 2022. Gender splits are based on respondents choosing how they identify. 
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Healthy Habits You Can Incorporate Into Your Family’s Schedule

Creating healthy habits for your family and sticking to them can be challenging, especially when you all have busy schedules. The good news is there are some quick and easy ways to work better choices into your routines. Reducing stress, eating healthy, getting enough rest, and making time for physical activity are a few of the best changes you can make, but the key is to make sure your entire family will get the benefit. Today, Fromgirltogirl has a few tips on how to change your lifestyle for the better and get your family on a healthy track:

Start at Home

When it comes to helping your family feel good, there is no better place to start than at home. Our environment plays such a big role in our physical and mental health that it is crucial to assess those surroundings and make sure they’re in good shape. Removing clutter, organizing pantries and closets, letting in fresh air, and creating a peaceful spot for quiet meditation time. You can change your home for the better. Taking steps to ensure that your home is calm and clean can go a long way toward reducing stress and other negative feelings for your family members.

Alleviate Work Stress

Most of us experience stress at work; make changes to your home to combat half the problem. Fortunately, there are several simple things you can do to keep stress at bay during the workday, especially if you or your spouse work from home. Start by setting up a clean, organized office space that provides the right tools and equipment for your needs, and add live plants for a little mental health boost. It’s also important to make sure you get up and move around during the day rather than sticking to the desk since sedentary jobs can lead to physical health issues. Set up a schedule for the workday that will allow you to stay organized and on task even when life throws you a curveball.

Make Mealtime Family Time

With a busy family schedule, it may not be possible for everyone to sit down for dinner together every night, even if you work from home. However, you can make the most of those nights when you are together by involving the kids in the process of food preparation. Young people get several advantages from working in the kitchen, which are amplified when spending time with their parents. As a parent, you can use that time to talk about their day or make plans for the weekend. Think of healthy meals for the week and include the entire family in the planning process.

Pursue Your Educational and Vocational Goals

One of the best things you can do for yourself – not to mention model positive behavior for your family – is pursue your dreams. Is there a business you’ve always wanted to start or an educational goal you’ve been putting off? If you have a passion for helping others, for instance, going back to school for a degree in nursing is a great way to start. And thanks to the flexibility of online learning, you can work at your own pace, without needing to take time off to focus on your studies.

Take Up a Hobby Together

Whether you and your loved ones discover a passion for cooking and baking or you want to do something more active, enjoying a hobby together can bring you closer while boosting your overall well being. You might ride bikes, play a sport, make art, or get into gaming. You can even take a local class together or learn more about a common interest through a how-to activity. Most hobbies can help us reduce stress and anxiety, and some can also help us stay fit, making them perfect for family-sized fun.

Fromgirltogirl (FG2G) is a healthy lifestyle consultant and trusted news source for audiences of all ages. To learn more about the FG2G community, explore our website, services and use the hashtag #FG2G on social media.

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How Women Can Re-Enter the World With Pride

Breaking from your regular routine can be unsettling, and when it’s time to get down to business, you may not know where to start. Studies show that when women see female achievement highlighted, they strive for positions of influence. This is significant because it demonstrates the importance of filling your cup with inspiration. So, if you’re feeling off track and ready to get your fire back, here are some tips to consider.

Build Your Network

Connection is just as crucial to your mental health as your professional growth. Make sure that you make time to nurture and grow your friendships and relationships with loved ones, as their support can help uplift you when you need it most. In addition, reaching out to mentors or peers in your line of work provides you with career support. If you’re a little out of the loop, search online for both decentralized groups and local groups that you can be a part of. If you feel nervous, remember that everyone else is typically there for the same reasons you are.

Create a Clean Space

Whether you work from home or just need a relaxing space to retreat to, decluttering can help you achieve a fresh start. Having a clean, welcoming space can do wonders for overly stressed and critical family members, too. You can even involve other members of the household in the process. Go through each room, clean out unnecessary items, and organize what you decide to keep. Then, consider rearranging furniture or adding new decor to freshen up your home. Once you open up the space and let in some fresh air, you’ll feel ready for a new beginning.

Change Careers

If you dread your job every day, it might be time to look for something new. It can be easy to get stuck in indecision when choosing a new career path, but often making any move will help move you closer to what feels genuinely fulfilling to you.

Making the leap can be life-changing if you have an idea for starting a business. To do this, you’ll need to create a business plan which will act as your blueprint for starting and running a company. A business plan typically describes what you’re selling, how you will market it, and accurate financial projections. You can give this plan to potential investors so they can see exactly how much money you need and what you plan to do with it.

Take Care of Your Mental Health

Taking care of your mental health is just as important as your physical health. If you feel you may be dealing with depression, anxiety, or other challenges, don’t be afraid to seek help. Licensed professionals can help you decide if antidepressants or other treatment methods are right for you. When making this decision, your doctor will consider your medical conditions, other medications, and current symptoms before filling a prescription for depression medications. If you choose to take medication, they will also help you monitor side effects so you can find the best fit. In the meantime, you can also meditate, journal, practice yoga, or exercise to manage symptoms at home.

The tips above will help you get on track so you can reenter the world confidently. While seeking help is important, it is also essential that you pay attention to your inner guidance so you can design the life that best fits you and your personality.

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2022 Best Wellness States in the United States of America

new study shows the wellness industry is projected to reach $7 trillion in value by 2025. The District of Columbia is the No. 9 best place for wellness. California is the No. 1 best state and Alabama is the No. 1 worst.

Interest in ‘wellness’ used to be niche, but it has surged following the health, economic, and political crises that led to a 25% spike in anxiety and depression, and a decline in life expectancy.

Factor in remote work and more Americans are choosing to live in places with strong health and wellness communities that enhance their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This includes a rising interest in healthy eating, exercise, dietary supplements, nature, self-care, and mindfulness.

Life Extension released a study on the Best and Worst States for Wellness in 2022 using the most recent data from the CDC, Census Bureau, National Parks Service and Google Trends across three main categories: physical and mental health; access to parks and nature; and integrative health practices.

Health Is Wealth

There is a strong correlation between sunshine, nature, and well-being. Four of the five best states are known for sunshine — California, Arizona, Florida, and Hawaii. Nine of the 10 best states have an above average percentage of land used for national parks.

Remember: Spending time outdoors is inherently good for your health. Hike. Bike. Run. Exercising can improve biomarkers for physical health and mental well-being. Visiting a national park is a great way to connect with nature. Go to a park near you.

Below is a chart of top United States wellness google trends by search:

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How to treat Depression and Sleep Deprivation |A Mental Health Awareness Resource

Woman crying because of her depression.

Do you know over 17 million Americans suffer from depression?

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, here is a guide that illustrates the connection between depression and sleep. Depression can disrupt sleep, and that lack of rest can worsen symptoms of depression.

This guide is a good mental health resource because it explains the reciprocal relationship between depression and lack of sleep. Through education and therapy, we can learn how to sleep better while coping with depression.

Yes, depression can make you feel exhausted during the day even after getting the recommended hours of sleep at night.

Yes, it can be hard to get yourself out of bed when you feel like you cannot overcome your depression.

65% to 90% of adults and up to 90% of children with depression have some type of sleep problem. Together we can support each other in our fight against depression and sleep deprivation.

Share this source with a friend, family, or colleague in need.

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When Your Friends Do Not Understand Your Mental Health Condition

By: Stan Popovich

You are just diagnosed with a mental health condition such as depression, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, addiction, OCD, or some other mental health disorder. You go see a counselor to get help. Eventually your relatives and closest friends find out your condition. The problem is that some of them get on your case and do not understand what you are going through. Here are four ways to deal with this situation.

1. Listen To The Professionals And Not Your Friends–Your friends may mean well, but when it comes down to it, the professionals know your situation more than anyone. They know what you are going through and are trained to deal with your situation. Your friends do not have the answers to your medical condition. When you have questions about your mental health situation consult with your counselor or other mental health professional. Listen to them and follow their advice and not your friends.

2. Your Goal Is To Get Better–Your goal is to get better, period. Don’t waste your time arguing with your friends or relatives who are giving you a difficult time. This isn’t a public relations event where you need to get everyone’s approval. This is your life and you’re the one suffering. Your main focus is for you to get better. This is the number one thing.

3. Tell Your Friends To Learn About Your Condition–Tell your friends and relatives that the best way for them to help you is to learn about your condition. They could talk to a counselor, they could do family therapy, they could read some good books or join you at a support group to learn about your condition. They won’t know exactly the pain your suffering but they will have some idea of what you are going through. If some of your friends won’t do this, then stay away from them. They will only make things worse.

4. Distance Yourself From People Who Give You A Hard Time–This may seem cruel but if some of your friends or relatives are hindering your progress in getting better, then kindly tell them to follow step Three or else tell them to stay away and go bother someone else. Distance yourself from those people who won’t make an effort to help understand what you are going through. You need to surround yourself with positive and supportive people. Again, if you have problems or issues with a particular person, you can always ask your counselor for advice on how to deal with them.

Take advantage of the help that is available around you. If possible, talk to a professional who can help you manage your depression and anxieties. They will be able to provide you with additional advice and insights on how to deal with your current problem. By talking to a professional, a person will be helping themselves in the long run because they will become better able to deal with their problems in the future.

Remember your goal is to get better. Treat your mental health issues as a medical condition. If you have a medical condition, you go see a doctor to help treat it. Same thing applies to your mental health issues. Go see a professional and focus on getting better. Don’t try to get everyone’s approval.

BIOGRAPHY:

Stan Popovich is the author of “A Layman’s Guide to Managing Fear Using Psychology, Christianity and Non Resistant Methods” – an easy to read book that presents a general overview of techniques that are effective in managing persistent fears and anxieties. For additional information go to: http://www.managingfear.com/ 

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