HEALTH AND WELLNESS

written by OLIVIA CIGLIANO photos by REBECCA PANTANO and REILLY FISHER

The walls yell at you here,” joked my friend Delaney Katz and her father as they gave me a tour of her childhood home in Illinois. They were referring to her mother Judie’s decorations— uplifting quotes, poems, and songs that cover every inch of the space. The colorful assortment of ceramics, wooden plaques, and mirrors reminds you in curly letters to “imagine the possibilities,” that “life is beautiful,” and it’s a “home sweet home.” It’s eclectic and maximalist, ensuring guests are welcomed into the warm and loving environment, seamlessly reflecting the personality of its occupants.

“I feel like I could spend all day looking at your walls,” I said. “Exactly,” replied Delaney, who normally scoffs at interiors that take themselves too seriously. “Your house should be a museum of you.”

Returning to my apartment in Boston, I took a long look at the bedroom walls that had been bare since I moved in eight months ago and realized I never curated my own museum— a space that represents who I am and how I want to feel while I’m in it.

Especially now, spending so much time at home, I realize how my living environment affects my mood and productivity.

Establishing a supportive home base is most important now since home is no longer just a refuge for rest and play, but now a classroom and place of work. With few ways to physically separate these aspects of life, college students, whose personal lives are already naturally entangled with school, are seeing it affect their personal space more than ever. Home is the primary location for everything — exams, internships, club meetings, job interviews, and even performances. Still learning to take care of themselves as adults and settle into first apartments, young people are rethinking their relationship with their homes, to function for academic success.

Reilly Fisher and Rebecca Pantano spent the last year earning their dance degrees in their shared Philadelphia apartment. Their classes that normally take place in a dance studio now occur at home. Since they don’t have a large living room, their only option is to Zoom from their bedrooms.

“To make room to dance, I rearranged my room, which included moving my bed and pushing a chair to a corner of my room every time I have class,” says Pantano. Fisher was initially annoyed to have to do this for class but managed to find her flow. “I loved how my room looked and felt before, but after putting up some decor and fixing some things, I actually think I like this configuration even more.”

For others, stressors encroach in new ways. Jack Mullen, a Visual Media Arts major, moved into an apartment with his girlfriend for junior year. Although their place is close to campus, he’s taken both semesters online for health safety concerns. taken both semesters

online for health safety concerns. Our faucet just broke today,” says Mullen. “It’s been a nightmare trying to deal with plumbers and mechanics coming in to fix some other problem that we have. And it’s been really difficult to try and balance school life.”

As a first-time tenant who’s only lived in dorms, Mullen is learning to be intentional in his space. “In dorms, I had the luxury of being messy, but here it does really affect my workspace and mentality,” he admits. “I can’t go to the library or a friend’s place to get out

the forefront of my mind.” Sensory control is important in a small living environment. While some students, like Pantano, separate their daily activities by switching between rooms, others prep their space while they’re in it. Vanshi Singh, a junior nursing student, is also experiencing college in her Philadelphia apartment. At her desk, she diffuses eucalyptus essential oils, a stimulating aroma, and switches on her color-changing lamp to get in the zone.

Colored lights can definitely set the vibe, so of the mess to ignore it.”

Research finds that messiness is closely linked to procrastination and the “visual noise” that clutter creates may induce a physiological response, such as increased levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. Looming dirty dishes or piles of laundry may trigger avoidance strategies and hinder your ability to focus. If you’re earning a degree from your bedroom, it’s worth the effort to clear your area and start afresh. Mullen’s now quick to tackle his dishes and clear his desk, and says, “otherwise it’s in

it’s no surprise that our minds, moods and circadian rhythms are affected by the hue of light sources. For example, blue and white light (which contains blue light) suppresses melatonin levels, aiding in alertness and boosting mood. Red increases the same chemical, making it ideal for chilling before bed. Pantano prefers blue or pink hues to create a sensory boundary between work time and relaxation.

She also cherishes her family of houseplants because they make her feel closer to nature in the city. Aside from adding a pop of green to your space, which can evoke calm or pleasant emotions in humans, houseplants have been found to alleviate daily stress and anxiety. They live as quiet companions that purify your air, reminding you that small acts of care will accumulate for something beautiful to bloom, encouraging mindfulness.

Fisher finds that surrounding herself with items and artwork that spark joy noticeably affects her mental health. “I have a lot of crystals around my room and use incense to help with energy protection and to feel comfortable in my space,” she says, who describes her style as mid-century and boho, a combination of clean simplicity and bright, relaxed decor. “Before the pandemic, I didn’t feel much motivation to make my room feel perfect, because it was just the place where I would sleep. Now that I spend almost all of my time in my bedroom, it’s become so personal to me.” Mullen never put much thought into decor before his new apartment. “I’ve learned to treat spaces with respect and as my own and have a newfound appreciation,” he says. “And it ultimately helped with my academics and focus.”

The first day back from my trip, dreading my awaiting homework, I ran to Target for command strips and string lights. I arranged my prized collection of thrifted purses on hooks and created a gallery wall of vintage paintings, magazine clippings, postcards, and photos of pre-pandemic memories to fill the space (à la Judie Katz). I watered my drooping plants, cleared the clutter from my desk, and lit a fresh candle. Looking around, I saw myself in the colors, textures, and memories that brightened my room. My eyes now feed off my walls, allowing inspiration to flow.

Creating an ecosystem you can take pride in, as if it’s a living, breathing extension of yourself, and functions specifically for your needs, grants you some control over this strange reality.

Look around. What do your walls yell at you?