The innovative flexible housing model conceived and managed by Greystar understands the importance of finding the perfect home and provides key insights into how our way of living influences well-being. Under the title “The Therapeutic Power of Living and Co-Living,” psychologist Ana Belén Medialdea, a specialist in Strategic Therapy, explores new trends in habitability and holistic well-being.
Sharing her perspective on how our environment can impact emotional health, Ana Belén emphasizes the importance of finding a home that promotes personal balance and interpersonal connection, stating that “the way we live has a significant impact on our mental and emotional health.”
Drawing from her clinical experience and psychological knowledge, Medialdea explains that a home, beyond being a physical space, “is fundamentally a refuge that should provide comfort, security, and access to services and leisure activities. It should offer a personal space to relax, reflect, and more.”
In a post-pandemic world, she highlights the shifts in preferences when it comes to finding the ideal home, noting the growing demand for outdoor spaces and the need to strengthen community living in order to foster meaningful relationships. She asserts that co-living can enhance emotional support and encourage healthy lifestyle habits, stating: “Living in a community gives us the opportunity to build meaningful, supportive relationships with friends, family, and community members.”
Social isolation, the psychologist warns, can lead to feelings of loneliness and demotivation, making it harder to face challenges and maintain the drive needed to navigate life changes. “Being in an environment we don’t like can increase stress and anxiety levels, creating constant worries that negatively affect our mental health,” she explains. According to a study by SoledadES, promoted by the ONCE Foundation, 25.5% of Spanish youth aged 16 to 29 report feeling lonely, a figure that rises to 69% when including those who have felt lonely at some point in their lives. This is why living in community and promoting social interaction becomes crucial to counteract this phenomenon.
By maintaining close social connections, we are investing in our health. Studies have confirmed that such relationships strengthen immune function and help regulate stress hormones. It’s crucial to recognize that we cannot achieve the same levels of dopamine and oxytocin release on our own as we can through human connection. This is beneficial because dopamine is associated with pleasure and motivation, while oxytocin promotes trust and social bonding, contributing to an overall sense of well-being and emotional connection. Therefore, living in a community that encourages these social interactions can have a positive impact on our emotional and mental health.
It’s important to highlight how new housing trends reflect a shift in the mindset of younger generations, who are seeking freedom and flexibility in their lifestyles. Increasingly, young people are choosing to avoid long-term commitments such as long-term leases, preferring instead housing models that adapt to their changing needs and nomadic spirit. This trend aligns perfectly with the Be Casa approach, which offers a flexible and adaptable alternative for those seeking a home suited to their dynamic lifestyle. With a focus on flexibility and comfort, Be Casa allows residents to personalize their stay according to their preferences, creating a unique and tailored experience for each guest.
This is where Be Casa emerges as a solution to all these changes in modern living trends. Designed to improve well-being, it goes beyond being just a place to live. Its modern, welcoming facilities align perfectly with current market demands, offering residents the chance to experience the true meaning of feeling at home. To achieve this, beyond the facilities and common spaces that create this atmosphere, Be Casa promotes the organization of activities and events among residents to foster a sense of belonging and unity, helping residents get to know each other and enabling that experience of living and co-living.
Ana Belén also discusses the many changes people go through in life, whether voluntary or not. During these transitional periods, communities like Be Casa become indispensable allies, highlighting the importance of having housing that adapts to people’s changing needs—especially in key life moments. Some residents of these flexible apartments have faced such life changes, situations where one must start from scratch. Be Casa helps them feel like part of a family, offering the chance to begin again and build connections with others. Be Casa creates the perfect ecosystem to start over, create new relationships, or strengthen existing ones by inviting friends and family to their homes and shared spaces.
Elisa López, Sales & Leasing Manager at Be Casa, explains: “With Be Casa, we have our own independence thanks to the apartments, but the variety of common areas—whether it’s coworking, going down to the pool, hitting the gym, or joining the many activities—keeps us in touch with others directly or indirectly. This interaction not only helps with our personal balance and stress reduction, but has also been proven to provide both mental and physical health benefits. With Be Casa, we’ve noticed that people living in a community are happier.”
Be Casa offers its residents an environment designed to promote emotional and mental well-being without leaving home. With facilities such as fully equipped gyms, green areas, and communal spaces, it provides opportunities to stay physically active and socially connected. Additionally, this pioneering flexible housing brand brings peace of mind by offering hotel-like services such as cleaning, security, front desk assistance, and utilities and Wi-Fi included in the price—so residents don’t have to worry about a thing.
The tranquility of the environment helps reduce stress and anxiety, while the comfort of being at home facilitates the integration of these practices into everyday life. Residents can choose from Be Casa’s three communities in the Madrid area (Rivas-Vaciamadrid, Valdebebas, and San Sebastián de los Reyes), according to their individual needs, ensuring a living environment that suits each person.