What is Environmental Wellbeing?
Most of us turn to home for comfort. It is where we go at the end of the day. Occasionally, people spend most of their time at home, either by choice or ill health. This is our own personal environmental space. It can work for, or against us depending on our situation. For example, you are tidy and clean, getting contentment from this way of being, but you live with other people who do not share this value; in this case your environment may be having a negative impact on your wellbeing. Over time, you have kept things beyond your storage space and the overflow of items makes you feel uncomfortable. The décor is out of your control, and this causes you unhappiness. Issues can continue into your garden, car, desk area or even your shed. This is your environment and in a busy world it is impossible to manage to keep everything as you might like it all the time, or indeed how social media might suggest it should be.
Why is our environment important to our wellbeing?
It is well understood that our personal environment has an impact upon us, our comfort, sensory and social needs. Leonie Ascone and Anna Mascherek (Feb 2024) suggest as a finding of their research that there is evidence of a direct link between a poor home environment and reported depression.
Overwhelmed by Should, Could and Would?
Often the messages around self-care suggest big gestures that, in this instance, could involve redecorating part of your house, landscaping your garden, sorting through all your storage to incorporate the clutter, or bagging up unwanted items to pass on. These can be very energy consuming tasks which can cause more pressure and stress, not less.
“If you have unrealistic expectations, you might find yourself putting in a lot of effort with little to show for it.” (WebMD 2024)
With my clients, here at Rachel Derrington Counselling, I try to encourage finding self care techniques that suit and work for the individual. It might take a few tries before they find the right fit, but it can be well worth the effort in the long run.
If you are looking for efficient self care methods, outside of your environment then you might be interested in my blog on microbreaks.
Exploring Small Actions to Grow Contentment and Happiness in our Personal Space.
Self-Care should be manageable, and include things we can incorporate into our lives, realistically, making changes for our improved wellbeing.
“Dividing and designating particular spaces within the home could enhance one's emotional bond to it by facilitating feelings of autonomy and control. " (Journal of Environmental Psychology,
Benjamin R. Meagher a b, Alyssa D. Cheadle b, 2020)
Below are suggestions for small steps to improve your mood and contentment in your personal space:
Sense of smell: Add a scent or keep a scent. Flowers, scented oils and diffusers. Everyday items such as a favourite soap, a fresh lemon or perfume.
Plants: these are known to enhance our space: they give out oxygen if nothing else. If you feel like it is too much to look after, try to find one that’s easy care.
Your garden or yard: Just one plant in a pot and a comfortable chair or cushion could be all it takes. If your garden is out of hand just make a small area a place for you to enjoy and focus on that part. Connecting with outdoors has multiple health benefits and for some people, their outdoor space at home, offers them the only opportunity.
Indoors: Many people share a home or have many spaces that feel out of hand. Try and find one shelf, a bedside table or even a nice box that you can have exactly how you want it – choose items that make you happy, a photo or ornament or a special card or photograph.
Lighting: Think about how bright (or dark) your space is. Can you add or take away light to improve your sensory overload? Lightbulbs come in options of warm or bright white. A lamp might be a possibility too. Some people feel that salt lamps offer health benefits and give a warm light.
Comfort: Just one cushion or throw that feels nice for you can be effective. Consider the colour or sensation of the material. Also, using favourite bath salts, bubble bath or shower gel can give you a boost of self-care on the go.
Cleaning: Some of us enjoy having a clean space. I suggest reining that in. The whole house might be nice but for a small win, how about the kitchen sink area or just your sleeping space. Clean sheets can be a joy!
The above list is offered as a pick and mix. Everyone is different and when it comes to self-care. The ‘self’ part is important. It is all about you.
The Take Away
When you make a positive change to your environment, on purpose, then you are looking after yourself, meeting a need – boosting wellness. When you engage with that space, where a slight change has occurred, your brain recognises this and sends messages that calm cortisol and increase your sense of wellbeing. Even in a busy world, it is possible, through small actions, to improve your wellbeing and take care of yourself for a change.
Rachel Derrington – Counsellor
July 2024
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