Designing Interiors for Health Span
Earlier this month, I completed a course on Building a Life of Wellness: The Science of Fostering Happiness and Health Span run by Dr. Robert Waldinger, the current director of the longest running studies on human happiness at the Harvard Study of Adult Development. The study begun in 1938, originally observing the lives of boys from Boston’s poorest neighbourhoods to discover what factors contribute to long-term wellbeing. Throughout decades, the research expanded out into their families, providing an insight as to how relationships, work, and health influence happiness. Why did I do this and what does this have to do with interiors?
Over the past decade, understanding wellbeing has become a prominent aspect of my life. From fitness and nutrition to emotional wellness, I have been on a personal journey of discovering what works best for me and how to achieve a balanced approach to feeling and living well. As my work experience grew in interiors, I more recently became compelled to the idea of a home as a sanctuary for well-being. A place that does more than shelter us, but actively supports our health, longevity, and deepest connections. This curiosity led me to take a wellness course at the end of last year, as I set the intention to enter the new year with a fresh perspective and purpose, gaining tools and strategies to live well, love deeply, and design spaces that nurture both.
Following my reflections, I keep returning to the same vision- wellness and interiors being deeply connected. Designing spaces we live in should do more than function, they should nurture longevity, invite connection, and enrich the way we experience life. I envision creating environments that cultivate warmth, care, and a true sense of belonging, with the understanding that the way we live subconsciously and cumulatively influences the quality of our health.
This past weekend, my family and I with heavy hearts said goodbye to my uncle, who lived remarkably to over 101 years. More than his years, it was the way he lived that left an imprint. In particular, his home, alongside my aunt, was filled with peace, warmth, and deep, unwavering love. It was a living reflection of the values they carried and the relationships they built. They designed their home as a sanctuary, a gathering place, a home that held memories and meaning.
As I continue exploring the connection between wellness and the spaces we inhabit, I feel so blessed and inspired to have known him and witnessed his excellent health span. A life well lived is not just about time but about how we fill it with care, intention, and position ourselves in environments that best support our growth. I am so grateful for this new learning curve and the excellent program Dr. Waldinger has put together to teach us the science behind what it truly means to live well. I look forward to a future of more interconnected design and wellness and sharing it with you all.
