Your Aesthetic Purchase Is Good For Your Mental Health

By Kaitlin McDowell

GIRL WITH RED HAT / Unsplash

When living in dorms or small apartments, it can be very easy to let our space get cluttered. For so many years, I found myself thinking, “I’m a college student, of course my room is messy.” What I didn’t realize was how much this was affecting my mental health. 

Once I started adding a little effort, fresh flowers on my desk and a bit of organization, it completely changed how I felt in my space. Suddenly, my room wasn’t just the four walls I crashed in; it became a cozy, safe place and felt like mine.

The pumpkin scented candle in your room, the fresh roses on your desk, a new perfume or the aesthetically pleasing coffee you make yourself every morning. These may seem like frivolous, unimportant spending habits, but what if I told you there was actually science behind the fact that beauty positively impacts your brain, and it can even extend your longevity. 

Neuroaesthetics is the study of how beauty, art and design affect the human brain and body. A simple action, like looking at art, has been proven to improve one's health. 

This phenomenon dates back to humans’ early history as primal beings. When living as hunters and gatherers, human beings looked to blue skies, water or trees to signal safety. 

Flash forward to the present day, we no longer look for shelter in nature necessarily, but there are ways to channel these neuroaesthetics in our own modern homes, with four walls and a roof. 

Every time you buy something that you feel may have no function, such as a new cocktail glass or a throw pillow, and you think "I'm just a girl,” you’re actually extending your life longevity. After buying these things, that you may or may not have needed, you’ll look at them and bask in their beauty, boosting your mood and signaling to your brain that your home is safe. 

These practices don’t have to be achieved by spending money either. Try spending time rather than money. Spend time watching sunsets, spend time going to gardens or on walks. Take more photos of the beauty around you and look back at the photos when you need a little pick-me-up. 

Invest in beauty. Invest in yourself and what makes you happy. 

By surrounding ourselves with beauty or spending more time in aesthetically pleasing places, we can lift our mood, reduce stress and create little moments of joy in our daily lives. 

So no, your rose-scented candle or perfectly foamy coffee isn’t “frivolous.” It’s brain medicine, in the prettiest form.