Your mental health can be impacted by anything in your environment, but the most notable factors include:

Aesthetics: Cluttered spaces can create feelings of overwhelm and anxiety, while tidy spaces can invoke a sense of calm. To help with this,  have colors and objects in your environment that are meaningful, which can boost mood.

Sensory: The lighting, temperature, sounds, smells, and color palette of an environment are very important to how comfortable, relaxed, and safe you feel. For example, harsh lighting and loud noises can lead to anxiety or agitation, while dark and cold spaces can lead to feeling unmotivated—especially in the winter.

People: Indirect or inconsistent communication, conflicts, or unreliable people in the environment can be very stressful to manage. However,  sharing a space with someone you trust, such as a partner or spouse, roommate or friend or loved one, can create a sense of calm.

Culture and values: It’s important for people to connect with others that share their culture and values and to be understood at a deeper level. Otherwise, feelings of isolation and depression can arise.

Familiarity: If something in the environment, such as a difficult relationship or disorganization, reminds you of a difficult time, you may feel triggered by old feelings like anxiety. However, positive associations in the environment such as a family keepsake, photos, or familiar objects can boost mood and a sense of connection.

Source: Sara Lindberg, VeryWell Mind

• Well-Being Coaching Services
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• The Avalanche Podcast
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• Mental Health Commission of Canada
• Stress Strategies
• Canadian Mental Health Association