Graham Jones is a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Buckingham and an Associate Lecturer at The Open University in the UK. Jones, B.Sc., B.A., Adv.Dip.Ed., MBPsS, M.Ed. M.Sc., is a qualified psychologist, the author of 32 books, and an award-winning writer and speaker, contributing regularly to a wide range of publications and speaking at conferences and events around the world.

How many home improvement projects have you been putting off? You know – that bit of renovation you’ve been itching to do but just can’t get around to it. But did you realize that procrastination isn’t good for you psychologically? You may know that feeling of starting on a project you’ve been putting off – you feel so much better for getting the work going. Even if all you’ve done is call in a professional, you feel more positive and productive.

Renovating your home can have psychological benefits.

Taking action has a psychological impact upon us. Indeed, one study found that when a person takes action, it boosts his or her energy. Who would have thought that sorting out some home renovations could have such an impact psychologically? When you take action on a job that has previously been put off, your body’s hormone levels are altered. One study showed that people in a tidy room eat more healthily and become more generous. Failing to deal with home renovations and thereby changing your environment could have impacts on your personal life! There are clearly effects on the brain when an individual takes action.

Beginning the Project Boosts Mood

When you put off projects, it drains your spirit. There is always something nagging away at the back of your mind. When we have regular reminders of work not yet done, it lowers what psychologists call “affect.” Recent research has shown a complex interaction between mood and procrastination. If you just “get on with it,” you can change your mood and reduce any anxiety associated with not starting that renovation. Sorting out the project can change your mood so much that it can help reduce the stress of the task itself.

Here are some more tips for reducing stress when renovating your home.

Working with Each Other Will Improve Your Relationship

After the first flush of romance, couples tend to fall into a regular pattern of sleep, work, travel, TV, sleep, work and so on; routine sets in. Relationship experts often talk about needing to do something different and unusual to boost a dragging marriage. They often recommend a weekend away or going on a longer vacation – but you can get the same benefits from tackling a home improvement project together.

Working on a joint project can help couples feel closer to each other. You can even involve the whole family, having children help with the planning or other smaller tasks. This makes it seem much less of a “dad’s project,” which helps everyone feel involved – and the more people who help with the renovation, the less stressful and time-consuming it will be.

In fact, if you don’t involve the entire family, tension may be caused, as your family members could view the renovation as your project, distancing themselves from it, especially if things don’t go according to plan. But when the whole family feels involved, they are supportive if and when problems arise.

The Changes Themselves Incur Positive Feelings

Renovating your home can make you feel more positive about the place in which you live. All those negative concerns that kept you from organizing the project in the first place will disappear once you see the positive changes that come with the renovation.

Research shows that the kind of materials we use in our homes has an impact on how we feel. Wood, for instance, can be relaxing. Even if your renovation project doesn’t incorporate wood, there is an important point that this study suggests: When our home looks good, we feel good.

For further information on how you can get started on your next renovation project, contact us at 1-800-975-6666.