Overall health and wellness can be significantly affected by natural and built environments, such as where we are born, live, learn, work, play, and congregate. From neighborhoods to genetics, many factors can affect mental health. This May, we celebrate Mental Health Month, a time to recognize the barriers and supporting factors aligned with mental health.
Mental Health America highlights “Look Around, Look Within” as the theme for this Mental Health Month, inviting individuals to learn about how surroundings can impact mental health. Following our first blog, this blog will discuss the final two of the four types of surroundings. Understanding the relationship between types of surroundings and mental health can guide the effective information, resources, and support.
Healthy Home Environments
Optimizing your space to improve your mental health is something that anyone can benefit from. For those living with mental health conditions, it is one tool of many that can be used to improve and support your mental well-being.
How Can I Create a Healthy Home Environment?
- Practice tidiness. Keeping your living space clean is shown to promote calmness and a sense of control over your day-to-day life. Your home environment doesn’t need to be spotless, but clutter can be harmful to your mental state – contributing to depression, trouble focusing, confusion, and stress. Not only can clutter be distracting, but it can make it harder for your brain to think clearly. Neatness also provides predictability, which can cut down on brain fatigue and anxiety. Less time looking for lost items or getting distracted is always a good thing.
- Make your bedroom sleep-friendly. For good mental health, it’s particularly important to pay attention to your sleeping conditions. Poor sleep is known to sometimes trigger or worsen mental health challenges, while getting quality rest can protect your mental health. Your surroundings come into play with things like temperature, light, and noise.
- Create comfort. A big part of a mentally healthy living situation is feeling like your space gives you comfort, support, and calming energy. This could look like keeping comfort items around. Your favorite blanket, a meaningful gift, or a candle in your favorite scent can go a long way in helping you feel more at home. Your home can also impact your mental health based on colors, natural light, and set-up. Appropriate light, furnishing textures and patterns, and room organization can help reduce signs of anxiety and depression.
- Set yourself up for success. When you’re struggling with your mental health, just getting through the day can be hard, but there are things you can do to your space to help yourself be more productive and reach your goals. Ultimately, a healthy home environment will look different from one person to the next. It might take time, thoughtfulness, and multiple tries to get your space to meet your needs, but eventually it will help make your space feel right for you.
The Outdoors and Nature
Spending time in nature is linked to many positive mental health outcomes – improved focus, lower stress, better mood, and reduced risk of developing a mental health condition. Most studies on nature and well-being look at green spaces like parks and forests, but researchers are also beginning to look at blue spaces – places with ocean and river views. However, you don’t need a picture-perfect outdoor experience to get the benefits of nature.
Sunlight triggers the release of serotonin and vitamin D, which are associated with boosting mood and focus and reducing stress. Without enough sun, these levels can drop, leading to symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. Light exposure also has a direct impact on your body’s sleep-wake cycle, and consistent sleep is one of the most important factors in your well-being.
Get Help
Many factors come into play when it comes to mental health. This Mental Health Month, take some time to look around and look within to see how your surroundings might be affecting you. Oaks offers a variety of mental health services – if you or someone you love is struggling, consider speaking with a professional to help. Take the first step and contact our Access Center at 1-800-963-3377.
