Mental health is not just about what is going on inside your head. More or less, it is also what is happening outside your head, which is important as well. From a messy room, to a poorly lit workspace, to the view from your window, and an overall cluttered space – it can all impact your mental health.
Physical environments play a big role on our psychological health. We spend a lot of time just thinking about everything around us, all that external stimuli does affect us in many ways. Living in a messy space impacts your motivation, mood, and can develop different anxieties – starting from small clutters in your room such as your clothes thrown around or piled up in one spot untouched for days, the dishes in your kitchen just waiting to be washed, even the lighting in your work space or home can impact the way you feel. Adjusting your surroundings can improve your mental health dramatically.
However, it is important to remember that everyone has a different way of dealing with their surroundings, some thrive in clutter and tidying up might not be the solution!
Physical Environmental Factors
A physical environment can factor into one’s well-being, contributing to affect a person’s neurochemistry (controlling the way a person feels/acts), therefore increasing a higher chance of developing a disorder.
Those who do not consume enough high nutrient rich foods and tend to eat more refined and processed foods, their bodies may not function at an optimal level, which results in stress and not having the enough resources to cope effectively.
Some other examples of poor physical environment include –
- Lack of sleep
- Smoking
- Substance abuse
- Trauma during childhood years
- Extreme weather changes/conditions
- Unsafe work environment
Social Environmental Factors
Social environment factors can refer to social status, racial/ethnic, and relational conditions that can influence one’s abilities of coping with a stressful environment.
However, for example, when someone does not have a strong social support when going through tough times such as losing a job or going through personal issues, this can take a toll on their environment on all aspects – physical and emotional – as it can develop into depression and insecurity. Having a strong social support system during such times can be vital to one’s stress coping mechanism and can change their environment regardless of their lifestyle.
A lack of support socially can be one of the factors as other include –
- Social stigma (Sexuality, race, ethnicity, financial status)
- A history of physical/emotional abuse
- Lack of family support during early years
- Early loss of a parent at a young age
- Poverty
- Lack of religious or spiritual affiliation
- Lacking meaningful hobbies
- Toxic relationships
- Lack of self-love and self-care
Overall, a healthy well-being requires a stable balance of social, emotional, physical, and mental health. Furthermore, mental disorders are heritable and have a wide variety of factors such as genetics, social, economic, and physical status, which can be an influence and contribute to the development of mental illnesses. All of these factors should be taken into account and considered for a healthier living environment.
Solutions to Improve Your Environment
Clutter – De-cluttering your living space can help clear your mind and remove a light load of piled up stress and can improve for a healthier home or even your bedroom environment.
Poor lighting – A lack of natural light can affect your mental well-being and can be a kick-start to developing seasonal depression. Lighting can really change the way you feel – the brighter the light the better!
Polluted air – On some days, it is nice to just get away from the city’s pollution (depending on where you live). Take a break from the city and go on a road trip with your friends or family. It can really change up your mood and physical health, too!
Beach – Sitting by the beach and taking in all the fresh salty air can be quite relaxing and calming – same with the point above: going for a breather away from the city. Looking at the beach, or perhaps any refreshing scenery, can provide you serenity and calmness.