How Can a Person’s Environment Affect Well Being? 

By Grace Moinet

     Surroundings are a big part of mental health. Depending on if it’s about concentration or just the way that things look around you, you can cause yourself to lose focus or feel off. According to the article, How Does Environment Affect Your Mental Health, “Children raised in adverse environments tend to have hindered brain development, increasing their risk of memory issues, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.” 

     For another example of how surroundings can affect a person, many people would agree that they are “happier” or “more content” when in nature. An article by National Geographic states, “There is evidence that looking at fractals (patterns that repeat at different scales, such as waves lapping on a beach) is associated with changes in our own brain waves, promoting alpha frequencies that indicate relaxation.” 

     I think that a lot of people can also just speak from experience, like taking a break from school/work to go on vacation. Even just stepping out in nature after being indoors for a while can help clear the mind, like taking walks or just lounging outdoors. 

     Clutter could be another good example. “Cluttered spaces have been linked to higher stress levels and can impair decision making,” stated by the article “How Does Your Physical Environment Affect You and Your Mental Health,” by Newport Institute. A lot of people that I know believe that having a clear room makes a clear mind. 

     Also, not even just the environment but the people that surround you can change your mood or mental health in general. “Happiness isn’t just personal experience, it is actually affected by the individuals around you.” Said by Shilagh Mirgain PhD.

      If you’re constantly surrounded by negative people or people that view the glass “half empty” or are constantly talking down on you or other people, it’s more likely that you’ll start to pick up on those moods that they emit. If you’re surrounded by people that are very positive or view the glass “half full” and act well toward others, you will more than likely be more positive. Even though other people can affect you negatively or positively, you can also do that to yourself. Like keeping a negative mindset or attitude towards other people or yourself. 

     So, the environment can affect you as a person in many ways whether it’s your mindset, your friends, or the places that you hang out or live.