How to Improve Your Environment for Mental Health: From Your Personal Space and Beyond
In our fast-paced lives, we often overlook the significant impact our environment has on our mental health. Yet, the spaces we inhabit—our homes, workplaces, and communities—play a crucial role in shaping our well-being.
Through the lens of NBHWC Deep Health principles, let’s explore how environmental health influences our mental state and how you can make meaningful changes to enhance your mental well-being.
What is Environmental Health?
Environmental Health refers to the quality and condition of the physical spaces that surround us. It encompasses everything from the cleanliness and organization of your home to the safety and vitality of your community. According to the NBHWC Deep Health model, environmental health is one of the six essential dimensions of overall well-being, alongside physical, mental, emotional, relational, and existential health.
An optimal environment supports not just our physical health but also our mental and emotional states. Conversely, a cluttered, toxic, or chaotic environment can exacerbate stress, anxiety, and even depression. Therefore, understanding and improving our environmental health is key to achieving a balanced and fulfilling life.
The Layers of Environmental Health
Environmental health is multi-faceted and extends across various layers:
Personal Space (Home): This includes your immediate living space—your home, bedroom, or workspace. These spaces should be organized, clean, and designed in a way that promotes relaxation and focus.
Community Environment: Your neighborhood and community play a significant role in your mental health. Factors such as safety, social connectedness, and access to green spaces contribute to how supported and secure you feel.
Broader Environment (City/State/Nation): This layer encompasses the larger societal and environmental conditions, such as pollution levels, economic stability, and public safety, all of which can indirectly affect your mental health.
Why Environmental Health is Important
The quality of your environment directly impacts your mental health. Research shows that exposure to natural light, access to green spaces, and living in clean, organized spaces can reduce stress and improve mood (NIH, 2023). Conversely, living in high-stress environments—such as those with high noise levels, pollution, or social unrest—can increase the risk of mental health issues.
A study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that people who live in well-maintained, aesthetically pleasing environments report higher levels of happiness and lower levels of anxiety (Journal of Environmental Psychology, 2022). By making intentional changes to your environment, you can create a space that not only supports your mental health but actively enhances it.
How to Complete Your Own Environmental Audit
Conducting an environmental audit is a practical way to assess the state of your environment and identify areas for improvement. Here’s how you can do it:
Identify Your Spaces: List the key spaces you spend the most time in—your home, workplace, neighborhood, etc.
Evaluate Each Space: For each space, consider factors such as cleanliness, organization, noise levels, natural light, and overall comfort. Are these spaces supporting your mental health, or are they contributing to stress?
Identify Stressors: Pinpoint specific elements that negatively impact your mental well-being. This could be anything from a cluttered desk to a noisy neighborhood.
Prioritize Areas for Improvement: Determine which areas need the most attention and which changes would have the greatest positive impact on your mental health.
Small Changes for Big Impact
Making small, manageable changes to your environment can significantly improve your mental health. Here are some ideas:
Declutter Regularly: A tidy space can reduce stress and increase focus. Start with one area, such as your desk or bedroom, and commit to keeping it organized.
Add Greenery: Incorporating plants into your home or workspace can improve air quality and create a calming atmosphere.
Enhance Natural Light: If possible, rearrange your space to maximize natural light. Consider using light curtains or moving furniture to allow more light in.
Incorporate Soothing Scents: Use essential oils or scented candles to create a relaxing environment. Scents like lavender and chamomile are known for their calming effects.
Limit Noise Pollution: Use noise-canceling headphones, or introduce white noise or calming music to drown out disruptive sounds.
Bigger Changes for Lasting Impact
For those ready to make more significant changes, here are some ideas that can have a lasting impact on your environmental health:
Redesign Your Living Space: Consider a full-scale decluttering and reorganization of your home. You might even want to redecorate or renovate to create a more peaceful, welcoming space.
Move to a Greener Area: If your current living situation allows, consider relocating to a neighborhood with more green spaces, less pollution, and a stronger sense of community.
Advocate for Community Improvements: Get involved in local initiatives to improve your neighborhood, such as community gardens, clean-up efforts, or noise reduction campaigns.
Invest in High-Quality Furniture: Ergonomic furniture can significantly improve your comfort and reduce physical strain, which in turn benefits your mental health.
Create a Wellness Space: Dedicate a room or area in your home to wellness activities, such as yoga, meditation, or reading. This space should be free of distractions and filled with items that bring you joy.
Conclusion
Your environment is more than just a backdrop to your life—it’s a key player in your mental health.
By taking the time to assess and improve the spaces you inhabit, you can create an environment that supports your well-being and helps you thrive. Whether you start with small changes or embark on a larger transformation, the impact on your mental health will be profound and lasting.
Article References
The sources cited in the article:
National Institutes of Health (NIH). "Mental Health and Environmental Exposures: An Editorial." NIH - Mental Health Environment
American Psychological Association (APA). "Speaking of Psychology: Why Clutter Stresses Us Out." APA - Clutter and Stress
National Institutes of Health (NIH). “ Associations Between Nature Exposures and Health".” NIH - Nature Exposures and Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)." CDC - SDOH
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). "Indoor Air Quality and Its Effects on Health." EPA - Indoor Air Quality
