A stylish home interior, sure, draws gasps and wows from guests, driving you to make your space look tiptop, and for all the right reasons. But beyond looking good, sprucing up your interiors can also bring a host of health benefits.
South Korean homes, for example, are designed with health in mind, creating spaces and choosing furniture aimed at lowering cortisol, maximising comfort and overall wellbeing.
Nutritionist Deepshikha Jain, MSc in Global Public Health Nutrition, UK and a national diabetes educator, visited South Korea, and in her recent video on Instagram, dated April 1, she walked us through the key decor and design features of South Korean homes that support and strengthen the health of the residents. It goes on to suggest how a home should complement your well-being. Trends come and go, but your health should be the number one priority, and home design should reflect that, too.
Let’s check which features she highlighted:
1. Low-seated dinners
You may have come across elaborate, ornate dining tables, raised high from the floor, but in many South Korean homes, meals are enjoyed seated close to the floor rather than at high tables, the ones you may be familiar with.
The nutritionist revealed the reasoning behind this, “If you have your meal seated down, that actually helps you connect with your food much better. It slows your mind and gut connection, which can improve your digestion. Not give you any bloating.”
The sitting itself plays an important role in slowing you down; pay closer attention to your food instead of scarfing it down. Gut issues like bloating after eating are also reduced.
2. Natural light sources
No matter how much you invest in fancy lights, pendants, scones, or chandeliers, the real health benefits come from natural lighting. Deepshikha noted that natural light lowers cortisol levels in the morning, improves your focus and alertness, and boosts dopamine release. This means that when designing your home, make sure to keep natural light sources at the top of your list, not just the extravagant lights you spotted on your Pinterest feed.
3. Warm lighting in the evening
Overhead lights have the potential to make your space look sterile and stark, and since lighting can influence your sleepiness as bedtime approaches, you must choose the right ones. Deepshika remarked, “Go for dimmer lights, especially post 6 PM, because that will lead to the release of melatonin that reduces your cortisol spikes and helps you sleep better.” This means switch off your overhead lights and relax with lamps and other warm lights.
Next time you design or refresh your home, take cues from South Korean homes to make your home complement your wellness goals.
Note to readers: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them. This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice.
