Columnist Haadiza Ogwude discusses ways to revitalize your dorm to help with depression and anxiety.
Being in college can be overwhelming. You leave the only home you’ve ever known to venture off into the unknown that is Ohio University.
Suddenly, you’re being thrust into clubs and orgs, going to parties and meeting new people every day. Homework, exams and projects begin to accumulate. You feel homesick for the familiarity that is Mom and Dad.
With all the stress that comes with college, the last thing anyone needs is the white-walled dungeon that is dorm rooms. Dorms are claustrophobic, decrepit and dingy, and no matter how much you clean, it never feels clean enough. Decorating your dorm, house or apartment to reflect your personality, and make it feel more like home, will not only make your abode a more peaceful and happier place, it will make you feel more peaceful and happy as well.
Eve Edelstein, PhD, adjunct professor at the NewSchool of Architecture & Design in San Diego and a research consultant to the Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture said, "The premise is to consider how each feature of the architectural environment influences certain brain processes such as those involved in stress, emotion and memory.”
Edelstein believes that the décor and arrangement of a home, or in our case a dorm, can have a tremendous impact on our mental health and well-being. She believes that a change in lighting, decorations and arrangement of furniture can not only rejuvenate the feel of a room, but it can uplift spirits and create a feeling of security.
Below are a few simple steps that will transform your living space from a depressing cave to your own personal sanctuary.
Cover White Walls
Being surrounded by nothing but white walls cannot only be depressing but they can also increase anxiety. They can make you feel like the room is closing in on you. Unfortunately, in the dorms you cannot paint the walls. For me, I found it beneficial to put up decorations such as tapestries, pictures, poster, pin boards, etc. that really help to tone down the monotony of the room. Whether you prefer bright robust colors or earthy cool tones, putting decorations on the wall can really uplift your spirits and make your dwelling feel more like home.
Alternative Lighting
Fluorescent lighting truly should not be put in living spaces. Living in the dorms, the overhead lights give me headaches quite often. The worst mistake I made was not bringing alternative lighting with me to school. Don’t make the same mistake I made folks. Bring lights, I cannot stress that enough. String lights, lantern lights, stand up lamp, any kind of alternative light gives your eyes a break from the stress-inducing fluorescent lights and can add a certain warmth to your space.
Make Your Bed Cozy
The more pillows and cozy blankets your bed has, the more comfy and inviting your bed is. It also spruces up the décor of your bed. You can also create cute sitting areas in your room by getting large decorative floor pillows. They not only create more seating areas for you and your friends to hangout but they also add warmth and relaxation to your room.
Keep It Clean
Although this is not a decorating tip, it can make a world of difference. When my dorm is messy, I feel messy. I feel gross and depressed, and anytime I feel like getting dressed up to do anything I have a constant voice in the back of my head telling me I need to clean. Also the dorms are so small that any kind of mess can make you feel like the room is shrinking in on you. The best thing to do is keep it clean. I’m not saying you have to do spring cleaning every day, but keep things put away, confine your dirty clothes to one area, etc. It can really improve the quality of your living space and make you feel fresh and rejuvenated.
Haadiza Ogwude is a sophomore studying journalism. What tips do you have to make a dorm feel more like a home? Tweet Haadiza @AdoreHaadiza or email her at ho299413@ohio.edu.
