Did you know that your surroundings greatly impact your mental health? This is something that many people don’t realize. The truth is the environment we live in can play a major role in our psychological well-being. In this article, we will discuss six ways that your surroundings affect your mental health. We will also provide tips on improving your mental health by changing your environment. Are you ready to learn more? Let’s get started.
There’s the Healing Power of Nature
You may have heard the saying, “There’s healing power in nature.” This is true! Numerous studies have shown that spending time outdoors can improve your mental health. One study found that patients who had views of nature from their hospital rooms recovered faster than those who didn’t.
Being in nature can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. For instance, in this TMS center, patients suffering from depression enjoy different technologies connected to specific brain regions. They are also surrounded by natural beauty, which promotes relaxation and helps to ease their depression.
Surround Yourself with Inspiration
The environment helps you to be creative and productive. When surrounded by things that inspire you, it’s easier to be motivated and stay focused on your goals. Some inspirations you can get from your environment are healthy eating habits, physical activity, and a positive outlook on life.
Some people need complete silence to work effectively, while others prefer to have background noise. It really depends on the person. If you find yourself getting easily distracted, try working in a space with fewer distractions.
You can also try working in a different environment altogether. For instance, if you normally work at home, try working in a library or café. Or, if you typically work in an office, try working from a park or co-working space.
The Power of Aesthetics
We all know the saying, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” But did you know that your surroundings can actually affect your mood? Studies have shown that certain colors can impact our emotions. For instance, blue is often associated with calmness and relaxation, while yellow is associated with happiness and energy.
Therefore, it’s important to surround yourself with colors that make you feel good. If you’re stressed, try adding some green or blue to your environment. And if you’re feeling low energy, try adding some yellow or orange.
It’s also important to consider the overall aesthetics of your environment. Is it cluttered and chaotic? Or is it clean and organized? A cluttered and chaotic environment can cause stress and anxiety, while a clean and organized space can promote relaxation and peace of mind.
Slow Down with Music
Music has a powerful effect on our emotions. It can make us happy, sad, anxious, or even nostalgic. Therefore, it’s important to be mindful of the music you listen to and how it makes you feel. If you’re stressed or anxious, try listening to calming and relaxing music. This can help slow down your heart rate and ease your anxiety.
On the other hand, if you’re feeling low energy or down, try listening to upbeat and positive music. This can help improve your mood and give you a much-needed energy boost. Besides this, it is important to listen to music at a volume that is comfortable for you. Too loud of music can be jarring and cause anxiety.
Proper Lighting Enhances Your Mood
The type of lighting in your environment can also impact your mood. For instance, fluorescent lighting is often associated with headaches and eye strain. On the other hand, natural light improves our mood and energy levels.
If you spend a lot of time indoors, it’s important to make sure you have proper lighting. Consider adding some plants to your space. Not only do they look nice, but they also help to purify the air. You can also try using a Himalayan salt lamp, which emits negative ions that have been shown to improve our mood and energy levels.
Scents Influence Your Mood
Lastly, the scents in your environment can also impact your mood. Certain scents are known to calm and relax the mind, while others can energize and uplift the spirit. For instance, lavender is a popular scent for relaxation. You can find lavender-scented candles, diffusers, and even soaps. If you’re looking for an energy boost, try using citrus-scented products.
Therefore, ensure that you are surrounded by pleasing scents. This can be anything from candles to air fresheners to essential oils. Just ensure you don’t use too much, as this can be overwhelming and cause headaches. Besides this, make sure to open up your windows and let some fresh air in. This will help to clear out any stale or stuffy air.
It’s important to be mindful of your surroundings and how they impact your mental health. From the colors in your environment to the music you listen to, everything can influence your mood. Therefore, it’s important to surround yourself with things that make you feel good. This can help improve your mental health and overall well-being.
