For many of us, we probably don’t put DIY and mental health hand in hand. After all, IKEA furniture can be our enemy at the best of times. But actually, DIY can be beneficial for our mental health, and for a variety of reasons.
Even the easiest of tasks can really calm us down and allow us to take our mind off our troubles, and it’s something many professionals and counsellors suggest as a way to cope. Professionals at a rehabilitation centre in Surrey suggest DIY alongside the likes of exercise and mindfulness as ways to improve our mental health, and you don’t necessarily need to be an expert to make the most of it either.
So, if you’re struggling and need a way to manage your mental health, here are five easy DIY jobs that you could consider…
Paint a Room or Feature Wall
There’s something incredibly therapeutic about painting. The repetitive motion, the clear goal, and the instant visual reward all make it a brilliant mental reset.
Choosing a new colour for a tired-looking room or adding a bold feature wall can inject new life into your space, and your mindset. Colours have psychological effects too: soft blues and greens can be calming, while warm neutrals and yellows often boost energy and optimism.
You don’t need to redecorate your entire home, even a small wall or alcove can make a big difference to how a space feels, and how you feel within it.
Declutter and Organise a Cupboard or Drawer
You might not realise but clutter can have a negative impact on your mental health. It is linked to stress. So actually just having a declutter and tackling one area at a time can work wonders for you.
Whether it be a drawer, the bathroom cabinet, even a wardrobe, getting them into some sort of order can help bring a sense of order to your own life.
It’s not about perfection, but having some clarity and tidiness in your home will have an effect on your mind too. Use the likes of baskets, labels and dividers to organise and get rid of anything you no longer want or use. That act of sorting can be really meditative and remind you that you can create calm amidst the chaos.
Build or Upcycle a Piece of Furniture
You don’t have to be a master carpenter to enjoy the satisfaction of building or reviving something with your own hands. Flat-pack furniture can be a great project, especially when approached with patience and a cup of tea, but even better is upcycling something you already have.
Sanding and repainting can be therapeutic, while also bringing older objects back to life can create a real sense of achievement and satisfaction, both from the end product and the process of getting there.
Create a Mini Indoor Garden or Plant Display
Gardening is so, so good for our mental health. You don’t need to be an obsessive green fingers to feel the benefit either. You don’t even need a garden!
You can create a small indoor plant corner in the home, a herb shelf in the kitchen or whatever you fancy really. It’s the process of potting soil, arranging plants and then watching them grow that can be deeply rewarding. If you’re new to the activity, choose low maintenance plants like succulents or spider plants, as the last thing you want to do is then watch them die. But caring for something, no matter how small, can be a good reminder to prioritise self care too.
Fix That One Thing You’ve Been Putting Off
We all have one; that leaky tap, squeaky door, or shelf that’s been a bit wonky for months. These small annoyances may seem trivial, but over time they can contribute to stress and frustration.
Taking 30 minutes to fix something you’ve been ignoring can give you a surprising sense of relief and control. It’s a small victory, but one that builds self-esteem and a sense of capability, both important for good mental health.
