Have you ever noticed how your surroundings affect your mood? That peaceful feeling after a walk in the park or the stress that melts away when you're near water isn't just coincidence—it's environmental wellness at work! Our physical environments have a profound impact on our mental and physical health, yet many of us overlook this crucial dimension of wellbeing.

Environmental wellness involves creating and maintaining surroundings that support your health and well-being. It includes both your relationship with natural environments—like forests and parks—and built environments—such as your home and workplace. When you nurture this aspect of wellness, you're not just helping the planet; you're investing in your own health too!

Let's dive into how environmental wellness can transform your mental health and discover practical ways to harness its benefits in your everyday life.

Ready to boost your environmental wellness?

Here are 12 powerful strategies that can transform your mental health:

1. Bring Nature Indoors

You don't need to live next to a forest to experience nature's benefits. Research shows that even indoor plants can:

• Reduce stress levels

• Improve air quality

• Enhance mood and productivity

• Create a sense of calm in your space

Try placing low-maintenance plants like snake plants, pothos, or peace lilies throughout your home. Even looking at nature photographs has been shown to provide some mental health benefits!

2. Create a Mindful Home Environment

Your home environment significantly impacts your mental state. Consider these elements:

• Colors: Soft, neutral colors tend to promote calm, while bright colors can energize spaces.

• Clutter: Reducing clutter can decrease feelings of overwhelm and anxiety.

• Light: Natural light boosts mood and regulates sleep cycles—position furniture to maximize exposure.

• Textures: Incorporate soft, comforting textures through pillows, throws, and rugs.

One participant in a qualitative study noted: "I like a lot of light. Windows, a lot of natural light coming in. It's very uplifting."

3. Seek Out Green Spaces Daily

Make daily contact with nature a priority, even if it's just for a few minutes:

• Take lunch breaks in a nearby park

• Walk through tree-lined streets when possible

• Visit botanical gardens or community green spaces on weekends

• Volunteer for community garden projects

Research shows that consistency matters more than duration—regular brief exposures to nature provide cumulative benefits for mental health.

4. Explore Blue Spaces

Water environments offer powerful mental health benefits. Try to:

• Visit local lakes, rivers, or beaches when possible

• Sit near fountains or water features in urban areas

• Listen to recordings of ocean waves or rainfall when indoors

• Consider water-based activities like swimming, kayaking, or simply walking along shorelines

One study participant described their connection to water: "I think my psychiatry is the beach. I love to go to the beach."

5. Practice Mindful Observation in Nature

Enhance the benefits of nature by practicing mindful awareness:

• Focus on the details—notice the patterns in leaves, the movement of clouds, or the texture of tree bark

• Engage all your senses—what can you see, hear, smell, and feel?

• Leave devices behind to minimize distractions

• Try "forest bathing" (shinrin-yoku), the Japanese practice of immersing yourself in forest atmospheres

This practice helps ground you in the present moment, reducing rumination and worry.

6. Create a Dedicated Creativity Space

Environments that support creative expression can significantly boost mental health:

• Designate a specific area for creative activities like art, music, writing, or crafts

• Personalize this space with inspiring objects and comfortable seating

• Ensure good lighting and minimal distractions

• Keep supplies organized and accessible

As one study participant shared: "I feel creative when I'm in here because I'm around all the fabrics and the different things that I use. It helps me when I'm making something...you kind of get out of your head a little bit."

7. Improve Your Workspace Environment

Whether you work from home or in an office, your workspace environment affects your mental health:

• Position your desk near natural light if possible

• Add plants to your workspace

• Use noise-canceling headphones if your environment is noisy

• Take regular breaks to change your scenery

• Keep your workspace organized and clutter-free

Research shows that workers with access to natural elements report 15% higher wellbeing and are 6% more productive.

8. Engage in Outdoor Physical Activity

Combining exercise with nature exposure multiplies the mental health benefits:

• Try hiking, biking, or jogging in natural settings

• Practice yoga or tai chi in parks

• Join outdoor fitness groups or classes

• Garden or do yard work

Studies show that "green exercise" provides greater reductions in anxiety and improvements in mood than indoor exercise alone.

9. Reduce Environmental Stressors

Identify and minimize environmental factors that negatively impact your wellbeing:

• Address noise pollution with soundproofing or white noise machines

• Improve air quality with air purifiers or increased ventilation

• Reduce exposure to harsh artificial lighting

• Minimize electronic distractions in restful spaces

Research shows that reducing these environmental stressors can significantly lower anxiety and improve sleep quality.

10. Connect With Like-minded Community

Social aspects of environmental wellness are powerful:

• Join community clean-up efforts or conservation projects

• Participate in community gardens or farmers markets

• Attend nature-focused events or workshops

• Share environmental wellness practices with friends and family

These connections not only enhance your environmental impact but also provide social support that boosts mental health.

11. Practice Sustainable Living

Taking action for environmental sustainability can reduce eco-anxiety and increase feelings of empowerment:

• Adopt simple sustainable practices like reducing waste and conserving energy

• Choose environmentally friendly products when possible

• Support businesses with sustainable practices

• Learn about local environmental issues and solutions

Research shows that taking meaningful environmental action can help ease climate anxiety and restore a sense of hope and agency.

12. Create Transition Rituals

Develop rituals that help you transition between different environments:

• Take a moment to breathe deeply when entering or leaving your home

• Create a brief mindfulness practice when switching between work and personal spaces

• Develop arrival and departure routines that help you mentally adjust

• Use sensory cues like essential oils or music to signal transitions

These practices help you maintain environmental wellness even as you move between different spaces throughout your day.

Your Environmental Wellness Journey

Environmental wellness isn't just about protecting the planet—it's about nurturing the powerful connection between your surroundings and your mental health. By creating environments that support wellbeing and engaging mindfully with natural spaces, you can experience significant improvements in mood, stress levels, and overall mental health.

Remember that environmental wellness is a journey, not a destination. Start with small changes to your surroundings and daily habits, notice how different environments affect your mood and energy, and gradually build practices that enhance your connection with the natural world.

Your environment shapes you in profound ways—by becoming more intentional about this relationship, you're taking a powerful step toward better mental health and a more sustainable future.

What environmental wellness practice will you try today?