A tiny house can have its benefits, but it has it's challenges as well.

Many people who live in a small space can be at a higher risk for depression and other mental health woes. In a year where staying indoors is the new norm, many people in general are at a higher risk.

However, there are some ways to make your home feel more like home. Let’s look at some of them.

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The Pros and Cons of Tiny Homes

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Having a tiny home has lots of advantages. They tend to be less expensive than their bigger counterparts. These houses are easier to maintain.

Also, when you have a smaller home, you have to get a little clever with decorating.

With that said, these houses definitely have their cons as well. Living in a small home can feel confining at times. Small houses may lack rooms you want as well.
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If you’re living in a smaller house, there are home improvements you can make in order to improve your mental health.

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Keep it Clean
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No matter how big or small your house is, keeping it free of clutter is a smart move. Too much clutter in the home can increase your stress hormones, and you may feel overwhelmed the more your mess piles on. With a bigger home, you can sometimes forgive clutter because of the house’s size, but for a smaller home, it’s important that you upkeep it as much as possible.

Try doing a little bit of cleaning each day. Put up your things when you use them. Making tiny habits to how you handle messes can see benefits in the long run.

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Try to Give Your Home the Illusion That It’s Bigger

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If you are in a smaller home, there are some ways to make your home feel bigger. Let’s look at some of them.

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- Buy vertical shelves that go from your floor to your wall. These shelves will take up less space and make storage easier for you. Your home will have more space because of this.
- Add some mirrors to your house. Mirrors can add some depth to your home that makes you feel like it’s bigger than it actually is.
- If you can paint your home, painting it lighter colors can give an illusion of depth, too.
- Try downsizing your home if possible. There are some areas where minimalism works well to allow your home to increase in size.

There are many tricks to make your home seem bigger. Experiment around with decorating and find the method that works for you.

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Add Some Sunlight
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Open your windows whenever possible. Sunlight is good for you, helping you to regulate your sleep cycle and improving your mental health. Another way it helps is that it can make your home feel bigger. If possible, open the windows up and enjoy the sunlight.
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Go Outside
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It’s important to go outside every now and again. A change in scenery can work wonders on your mental health. In 2020, it’s important to go to a place where you can be away from people, such as a forest or another area that isn’t populated.
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Get Plenty of Exercise
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Another thing to consider is getting more exercise. If you’re in your home all day, you may not be moving around enough. This can lead to depression, trouble sleeping, and other health problems too. That’s why it’s important to get as much exercise as possible. You can purchase some dumbbells or other smaller pieces of equipment, so you don’t have to worry about them taking up too much clutter. Alternatively, do some crunches on the floor.
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Declutter Your Home

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Another way for you to feel better mentally is to get rid of any item that is unneeded. Some people like to collect and make purchases on items they don’t need. It happens. However, it’s important that you go through your items and see what you can get rid of. By selling or donating your items, your home is less cluttered and feels more open as a result.
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Meditate
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One way for you to improve your mental health while in a tiny home is to take a few deep breaths and clear your mind. Through meditation, your home is no longer confining, but your own personal place of happiness. You can download apps or look up YouTube videos of guided meditation and other methods to keep meditating.

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Eat Healthy
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With your tiny kitchen, try to eat as healthy as possible. Prepare your own meals, count your calories, and try to eat wholesome foods that are not processed. That isn’t to say that you can’t have a treat on occasion but try to stay relatively healthy.
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Drink Sparingly
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A couple of drinks aren’t bad for you, but drinking your mental health away is not how you do it. Alcohol is a depressant for a reason, and if you have too much, you may feel worse than you were before. Save the drinks for a special occasion and avoid over-indulging.

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Seek Help

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Finally, if you feel depressed or mentally unwell, you may need to seek help from a counselor or therapist. They can help get to the bottom of why you feel this way and help you find some solutions for your problems.
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The challenge is that in 2020, it can be hard to find a therapist. You may not want to seek help from a therapist in-person, or you may be in an area where it’s hard to find one. That’s why it’s important to try online counseling. By seeking online counseling with BetterHelp, you can improve your chances of feeling happy in your tiny space. You won’t feel like you're trapped in a small home.
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As we said, tiny homes can be great, but you need to keep your mental health up in the process.