The environment and mental health are connected. Places where you spend a lot of your time can have a significant impact on your well being.
Impact:
Environmental factors can impact mental health by changing brain structure and function
Research notes that children raised in harmful environments have hindered brain development
Environmental factors can affect us psychologically
Environment might raise or lower your stress levels
Types of things in Environment:
Aesthetics: Cluttered spaces create feelings of overwhelm and anxiety, tidy spaces can invoke a sense of calmness. Colors and objects that have meaning can boost mood
People: Indirect and inconsistent communication, conflicts, and unreliable people in environment can be stressful; sharing space with someone you trust can create a sense of calm
Culture and values: It is important for people to stay connected with others that share their same culture and values, otherwise feelings of isolation and depression can arise
Sensory: Lighting, temperature, sounds, smells, and color palette are important for comfortability and relaxedness
Familiarity: If something in environment reminds of difficult time, you may feel triggered by anxiety; positive associations in environments such as family photos can boost mood and create connection
Home based environmental factors:
Climate: Includes temperatures where you live, amount of sunlight you get, exposure to natural disasters
Climate change is also connected with mental health issues
Rising temperatures are associated with higher rates of aggression and violent suicides
Increased frequency of disasters contribute to depression, adjustment disorder, and post traumatic stress disorder
Crime levels: If living in an area with a lot of crime, you may feel it mentally.
Environmental racism: Defined as racial discrimination in environmental policy-making, affecting the mental health of Black, Indigenous, and People of color communities
Pollution: Research shows increased rates of depression in polluted areas
Presence of toxins inside home: Includes cleaning and mold; the effect of mold can cause higher rates of asthma which can cause mental health issues
Poverty: Social stress, stigma, and trauma of living in poverty can impact mental health in children and adults
Environmental mental changes can help improve your mental health. Starting with things you have control over such as your physical space and who you surround yourself with.
Things to improve your environment:
Changing or organizing your physical space
Increasing light in room
Engaging in different senses like sounds, lights, etc
For things you cannot physically change such as relationships, work environments, etc it is important to seek help and people to talk to, talking about it can make it easier.
