The ‘You Okay? Test’.
October is Mental Health Month here in Australia. Mental health is so incredibly important. And just like your physical health, it requires our attention and care.
Much evidence supports the notion that human connection plays a huge part in supporting good mental health. And guess where connection starts?
Yep, you got it- In our homes.
I love American writer and researcher Brene Brown’s definition of connection. She describes connection as 'The energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard and valued’. This is why our homes should be designed, built and lived in a way that promotes the frequent seeing and hearing of one another, giving us the best chance to interact, actively listen and show one another how we value their presence.
Like many Western countries, Aussie homes are typically big. Our floor plan layouts often feature zoned wings and multiple ensuites, prioritising privacy and convenience over connection.
Of course, when we build and buy our homes, we choose their size and layout from a place of genuine love and care. Our only intention is to give our families the best we can. However, when not considered carefully, our homes can quickly become a breeding ground for separation and isolation.
Checking in with family and housemates is best when it’s frequent and easy.
A home that promotes connection encourages our people out of areas of isolation and into the living spaces and hallways where we get a chance to see and hear them. It’s our opportunity to look them in the eye, check if they're okay, and notice any changes in their typical demeanour.
This brings me to the ‘You Okay? Test’. I've invented a quick and easy test to check how easily a home facilitates easy and frequent connection. Here’s how it works.
Pick a time of day when your existing or proposed home will be most lively. Assign each occupant a colour. Then, either fair dinkum drawn on the plan or imagined in your mind, draw each person's typical movement path during that time.
If the coloured lines cross and bunch together often, you are onto a winner. If the lines are isolated and rarely cross, consider changing things to increase frequency.
Let’s get back to smiling, high-fiving, hair ruffling, belly poking and fake-punching to see if they flinch—frequent, easy interaction promoting good connection and mental health in our homes.
