Environmental wellness is valuing the relationship with ourselves, the spaces we occupy, and our planet. It can be as simple as making your bed every morning and keeping your space tidy. It can also include valuing our relationship with the planet by making sustainable choices and connecting with the world.
Environmental factors can have an impact on the mind and body. For example, spending time in chaotic or unsafe environments may raise stress levels, which in the long run can mess with the body’s stress response system. Conversely, spending time in tranquil environments can elicit feelings of peace and comfort. Being aware of how your surroundings affect your wellbeing is an important factor in improving your quality of life and self-care.
Check-In With Your Environmental Wellness
When you are thinking about your environmental wellness, here are some questions to ask to check in and see how comfortable your space is.
What are the spaces I frequent often?
Are these environments that make me feel comfortable, safe, and at ease? Notice the feelings and sensations that come up for you in the spaces you occupy. What are the signs that you’re feeling safe and comfortable? Are your shoulders relaxed or is your body feeling tense? Pay attention to what elements of the environment you’re particularly affected by like lighting, sounds, or aesthetics.
How are my interactions with the people I share my space with?
Do you live with a roommate, a partner, or family? Think about your relationships with these people and be mindful of how you feel around them. Do you constantly feel like you’re walking on eggshells? Are you surrounded by a lot of arguing or yelling?
Do I have mementos of things that are important to me around my home?
Before you can answer this question, you may have to explore what your values are and what’s important to you. If you need help figuring that out, a relational therapist can provide some support and facilitate this discussion with you.
When was the last time I enjoyed the outdoors and explored nature?
This can be tough living in NYC, but there are still ways to make it work! Think about the elements of the outdoors that bring you the most joy. Finding ways to connect with nature will help you feel grounded and safe in your environment.
Am I doing my best to make sustainable choices in my day-to-day life?
What are small ways you’d like to show up for our planet? What feelings come up for you when you think about sustainability as a whole? There might be a lot of anger, sadness, or fear. These are also things you can process with a therapist.
5 Tips to Improve Your Environmental Wellness
1. Make your bed and keep your space clean and organized.
This might seem like a no-brainer, but it can make a big difference in your mood and productivity. Just by making your bed, you’ve started the day with a small accomplishment, which can encourage more success throughout the day. Research shows that there is a clear link between living and working in an organized, clutter-free environment and having improved focus, goal-setting skills, productivity, and lower levels of stress.
2. Maintain healthy relationships with people you occupy your space with.
Sharing a home with someone you have tension with can inhibit your ability to feel fully safe and comfortable in your space. It’s important to address any conflicts from a calm, clear state of mind. If issues are never addressed, this can lead to built-up resentment and escalated arguments. Have routine check-ins with your housemates to catch any problems before they have a chance to fester.
3. Decorate your space with mementos and other things that reflect your authenticity.
Having visual reminders of the things that make us happy can be an easy, yet effective way to boost your mood. These can be pictures of loved ones, souvenirs from cherished experiences, or knick-knacks of your favorite things. I personally enjoy things that make me feel connected to my inner child because they remind me to not take life too seriously!
4. Spend time connecting with nature.
Taking short daily walks is a great way to get started with this. Explore the local parks in your neighborhood and take in the beauty of the outdoors. Practice mindfulness and really bring your attention to the sights, sounds, and smells around you. Schedule trips out of the city once in a while for a change of scenery. You’d be surprised at how many outlets there are for connecting with nature, even in the heart of NYC!
5. Be mindful of your carbon footprint.
Valuing our relationship with nature and our environment also means nurturing that environment as best as we can. Be aware of the limits of the earth’s natural resources. Conserving energy by shutting off unused lights, recycling and reducing waste, walking or using public transit whenever possible, using reusable bags and water bottles, and shopping secondhand are just a few ways to do this. Educate yourself on environmental issues and look into joining environmental organizations. Keep in mind, you don’t have to do this perfectly. Even the smallest steps can lead us closer to a more sustainable future.
The great thing about environmental wellness is that it goes hand in hand with other aspects of wellness. For example, keeping your bedroom clean helps with sleep quality, which is physical wellness, having a nicely decorated space can improve your mood, which is emotional wellness, and connecting with and appreciating nature is a great example of prioritizing your spiritual wellness.
I hope you feel motivated to start reflecting on your own environmental wellness. Prioritizing these aspects of self-care is a crucial part of living a satisfying, balanced life.
Are you interested in exploring your environmental wellness in therapy? Reach out to myTherapyNYC to find out which of our therapists would be a good fit for you!
What ways do you curate your environment to benefit wellness? Join the conversation in the comments below!
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