TRY THIS AT HOME

We’re all spending more time within our own four walls. Wellness expert Jamie Gold shares the small changes you can make around the house to boost your physical and mental well-being.

- LEAH RUMACK

IT’S HARD TO find a trendier word these days than “wellness.” The pursuit of optimal mind and body amazingness is baked into everything from the turmeric lattes we’re supposed to be drinking to the forest bathing we forgot to do because we were too busy counting our steps.

That fact that it’s become so pervasive says something about our collective health levels and psyche. So it’s no surprise that wellness has also become a popular facet of home design — especially in the custom-build market — with applications that stretch from building materials to floor plans to furnishings that encourage movement and exercise.

While most people can’t afford to install a luxury spa shower or create a souped-up home gym, Jamie Gold, a Mayo Clinic–certified wellness coach and author of a new book, Wellness by Design, says everyone can benefit from some basic principles. “It shouldn’t just be for the well-to-do,” she says. “There are always going to be features out of your control, especially if you’re a renter, but there are lots of things you can still do to enhance daily life in your home.”

Now that many of us are housebound, it’s worth investing in our spaces for our physical and mental well-being. Here are Gold’s room-by-room tips for a healthier home.

WORKSPACE

1. Beware the laptop

If you’re one of the many people who are now working at home hunched over a laptop, the easiest thing you can do to avoid repetitive strain injuries, Gold says, is use a separate keyboard, mouse and monitor. “Laptops simply aren’t generally designed for ergonomic use,” she says.