How environmental factors affect mental health: Understanding the link

The connection between our environment and mental health is becoming very obvious because our society has become more advanced and modern, forgetting our roots which were connected to Mother Nature. Although personal experiences and genetics can come into existence when we talk about mental health. Environmental factors that affect mental health get ignored.

Many studies indicate that the environment we live in has a significant impact on mental health, including stress levels, mood, and overall mental well-being.

Generally, We ignore the relation between environmental factors and mental health. There are a variety of factors that can affect a person's happiness and elevate the level of stress. 

Let's understand how environmental factors affect your mental health.

Table of Contents

How Environment Affects Mental Health.

Nature's Healing Touch

First of all, We should know that our mother nature offers great relief from the daily challenges and pressures of day-to-day life. In research, it's proven that spending time in a natural environment and taking sunlight promotes greater mental health and overall wellbeing.

Nature is almighty; it has an awesome power to heal us and improve our overall well-being. Walk and take exposure to green spaces, parks, and natural landscapes this will completely help you in the reduction of stress levels, anxiety and depression.

Spending time outside in the lap of trees and greenery calms the mind, encourages relaxation, and lowers cortisol levels. Essentially, nature offers a valuable and easy solution for mental health issues. Frequently, spending time outdoors has a beneficial impact on your emotional health and well-being.

Urban Environments and Stress

It's found that where the places are densely populated generally mental stress is more their cause of unease and less mental peace. And also research says that people in cities have more cases of respiratory diseases compared to people living in nature’s connected areas such as villages and small towns. 

Some environmental urban factors like stress, noise pollution, overcrowding and rapid reduction of green places can also affect mental health and wellbeing.

Our connection with nature is genuine and if this bond is broken it can lead you to anxiousness and stress. 

Pollution's Toll on Mental Health

As we all know, air or water pollution can hurt mental health. Polluted air quality can cause higher levels of stress and mental health issues.

Researchers discovered that changes in the brain caused by air pollution may increase the risk of mental disorders like dementia, and Alzheimer's, and affect cognitive health. Anxiety and depression may also be caused by small increases in air pollution; it might lead to psychological distress.

You know many diseases are caused by contaminated water.

But polluted water can also have adverse effects on our mental health. Toxins and heavy metals in drinking water increase the risk of mental disorders like learning, and memory-related disorders.

Climate Change and Mental Health Challenges

We all know that climate change affects physical health, such as heat stroke due to extreme temperatures, waterborne diseases spread through water during floods, and respiratory and cardiovascular diseases caused by air pollution. But it is also evident that climate change has a similar impact on mental health, like anxiety, post-traumatic stress, etc.

Experiencing an extreme weather event can be traumatizing, such as a drought, flood, or storm. The destruction, displacement, and loss it causes people have a great impact on their mental health. Due to this, many mental health issues, like anxiety and depression, can occur.

Climate change affects even those who do not face disasters personally. Like farmers, who are unable to grow their crops due to shifting weather patterns.

There is also a lot of evidence that extreme temperatures can also have a huge impact on mental health, like violent incidents that can increase as the temperature rises.

Extreme weather events can not only destroy businesses and seriously hinder economic activity; they can also result in short- and long-term financial challenges.

Healing Nature

Social and Economic Factors

Social and economic factors may increase the risk of mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, decreased self-esteem, and many others.

Low income and economic instability cause financial stress, which can be a reason for mental stress. And the unemployed person starts feeling hopeless and worthless. Which increases the vulnerability to mental health disorders.

Lower academic achievement or limited availability of education may also increase the risk of mental health. Even if you are highly educated, you may have a risk of anxiety due to academic pressure.

Housing instabilities and inadequate housing conditions may negatively impact mental well-being. And if your neighbourhood is deprived and unsafe, then because of that, your stress level increases which can increase the risk of mental health issues.

There are other several environmental factors due to which you often put yourself under pressure and increase your stress level, which is not at all good for your mental health.

Creating Positive Environmental Influences

Understanding the effects of environmental factors on mental health indicates the significance of interventions.

Suitable environmental influences are required to enhance your mental well-being. Urban planning should provide green spaces like parks and community gardens for relaxation and exercise.

Community engagement programs like events and shared spaces help you strengthen social connections and establish a network of support that can enhance your mental strength.

Due to this you often put yourself under pressure and increase your stress level, which is not at all good for your mental health.

Light and Circadian Rhythms

The first question that comes to mind as soon as you read the heading is: What are circadian rhythms?

Circadian rhythms are basically your internal body clock, which signals you when to rest and when to be alert.

And light is a factor that regulates the body's circadian rhythm.

This rhythm generally gets disturbed by moderate or too much exposure to artificial lights, which may hurt your mental health. 

This exposure to light can disturb your regular sleep patterns and it can lead to mood swings and disorders like SAD(Seasonal affective disorder) which has a direct connection to your mental health.

Hence be mindful about the importance of natural sunlight and artificial sunlight and balance them accordingly.

Green Infrastructure and Community Well-Being

Green infrastructure should be initiated like green spaces, parks, and nature-connected designs which have an awesome positive impact on human mental health and overall wellbeing.

It's proven in research that green surroundings or infrastructure helps humans in mental peace and boost positive mood whether it is physical or mental health.

Green helps to engage more in outdoor activities like walking, cycling, jogging etc. This effectively works in reducing your stress.

Environmental Noise and Mental Health

Our current generation is way far from silence and mental peace, there is a lot of noise and disturbance everywhere which can directly affect your mental health and wellbeing.

We daily deal with unwanted sounds like traffic, loud music, DJ, industrial noise and many more. As a result, it disrupts your mental peace which negatively affects your mood and sleep cycle. Ultimately this leads to anxiety, poor cognitive function and mental health.

If you are really conscious about your and your family's mental health then it's important to deal with noise pollution and effectively make your home noise-proof with some urban technology and solutions.

Displacement and Mental Health Challenges

Whether you are worried because of natural disasters or economic reasons there are many environmental factors every day we see in the news that affect our mental psychology and continuous exposure to these can create issues like depression PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)

You can go for a holistic approach to maintain the mental health and environmental balance. Just offer yourself physiological support, be mindful of your choice, and spend time in nature with peace. This will help you to lessen the negative effect of environmental factors on mental health. 

Environmental Justice and Mental Health Equity

Environmental stress like pollution and a lack of green spaces affects those who are marginalized, or we can say those who lack access to clean air and water. Due to this unequal exposure, this community is at greater risk of mental stress.

Environmental justice is the fair treatment of those people during the making and execution of environmental laws.

Marginalized committees should also be included while making environmental policies considering the mental health of the people. With this, we will be able to remove systemic inequalities.

Soothing environment for better mental health

Biophilic Design and Mental Well-Being

Introducing natural elements into architectural spaces to improve people's mental well-being is the basic goal of biophilic design.

Biophilic design makes the most of natural elements when it comes to interior design. Water fountains, natural lights, indoor plants, fish ponds, and water walls are a few examples of biophilic design.

These natural elements can help you to improve your mental well-being by reducing stress, enhancing creativity, and increasing productivity.

Eco-Anxiety and Climate-Related Stress

Eco-anxiety is a psychological condition. It is an emotional response to environmental issues like climate change. When you watch news of negative climate changes it creates fear and effects on human psychology. 

which can be another reason for mental issues. Stress comes into existence through feelings of helplessness, anxiety and fear of environmental vigorous changes.

In the bottom line

Our surroundings have a strong ability to influence our mental health. It is necessary to be aware of the connection between the calming effects of nature, urban stress, and harmful pollution effects to build healthier communities. We can create a more positive and resilient future by resolving environmental factors and promoting mental health awareness.

Adding to it, we need to know the influence of the physical environment, social dynamics, cultural influences, and policy decisions while developing comprehensive strategies to support mental health at the individual or community level.

F. A. Qs

How environmental factors affect mental health?

Many physical environmental factors may affect your mental health such as pollution, weather, poor social connections, lack of greenery around you and many more.

Like, if noise pollution disturbs your sleep it may give you mental stress. Air pollution can also be the cause of anxiety and depression.

Can noise pollution affect mental health?

Yes, noise pollution may have a significant impact on mental health. Exposure to loud noise for a long time increases stress levels, disturbed sleep, and the risk of many other mental health issues.

How does mental health affect daily life?

Bad mental health may affect your behaviour and mood, due to which you may start having problems in your day-to-day life. Extreme mood swings, feeling sad, staying away from friends, and social activities are such examples.