There were no questions in the inbox this month, so I figured I’d share some thoughts on how we feel about our surroundings and, in turn, how our surroundings make us feel. I answered a similar question this time last year, and I’m thinking it’s a good time to revisit it.
The question then was: How does the design and decor of my space affect my psyche and overall health? What can I do to improve it?
Interior design and decor are all about creating and curating our personal space. We put a great deal of time and effort into that process because we crave organization, functionality, comfort, peace and stability. On top of that, we add layers of ambiance, mood, style and character, all things that shine a light on our personality and provide the nurturing place we call home. It’s an ever-evolving practice as we move through our lives. The bottom line is that our surroundings viscerally affect us and how we function in the world.
Shifting focus to the broader landscape of our exterior surroundings, we should look at how our outside space also affects our well-being and overall psyche.
I was recently at a neighbourhood gathering where one of the original neighbours was home from England, where she has lived most of her adult life. She comes home every other summer to see family and friends, especially those in the old neighbourhood.
Maybe it’s a stage of life, the constant inevitability of change or current world affairs, but sometimes we suddenly view things we’ve seen so many times before from a different perspective. She commented on how stunning this province is. How, it seemed to her, that people have become more engaged in creating beautiful outdoor spaces, planting trees, shrubs, and flower gardens, beautifying not just their homes, but their communities, towns and cities.
She was struck by how fresh the air was and how clean the water is, how friendly everyone has been and just how peaceful it is. I guess it’s because she spends most of her time in
Europe, where things are very different, more congested, always busy, overcrowded and often impersonal. So, when you’re back on the Rock, and you’re hyper aware of the surroundings, it strikes you as a truly wonderful place, always with a warm and welcoming energy.
Of course, she’s not wrong, but it was uplifting to be reminded how truly fortunate we are and how lucky we are to live where we do.
We often take it all for granted, and yes, we inevitably get mired down with the worries and challenges of our lives. But when we get the nudge to look up from our screens, get outside on the trails or just wander through the neighbourhood, our brains get a chance to recalibrate. The positive effect those activities have on our minds and bodies stays with us longer than we realize.
We’ve always known, intuitively, that being outside feels good, but now we have documented, scientific evidence to prove it. Who knew there’d be a ‘movement’ to encourage all of us, and especially young people to spend more time outdoors, to reconnect with nature? Who knew there’d be so many studies conducted to discover the benefits of getting out and enjoying the natural beauty outside our door? I’m sure my parents, God rest their souls, would roll their eyes to think someone had to ‘do a study’ to arrive at that conclusion.
When I was a kid, the only time you weren’t outdoors was if there was homework, chores, or you felt sick.
Findings from the Mental Health Foundation in the U.K., as well as the Canadian Psychological Association, cite that ‘Nature can generate calm- ness, creativity, facilitate concentra- tion and reduce depression and anxiety.’ Studies have shown that, in addi- tion to alleviating stress, exposure to our natural environment can be effective in coping with PTSD and ADHD, curbing loneliness, irritability, even road rage, and it helps to improve sleep quality.
The most abundant colour in nature, at least until the quiet blanket of winter falls over us, is green. When we surround ourselves with its lush, serene, aromatic and tranquil energy, we cannot help but be affected.
Green is the colour of the heart chakra, symbolizing health, prosperity and abundance, a colour closely associated with healing and balance.
In a post from ‘One Spa World’ titled ‘The Impact Of Colour on Your Mental & Physical Wellness’, they remind us that “colour can dictate more than just a daily mood. It can take on an integral role in healing mental and physical ailments. Colour therapy or chromotherapy, which uses the frequency and vibration of colour to heal, has been an integral part of eastern and western medicine for centuries.”
All this is to say that when you sur- round yourself with nature, you are filling the void, bringing yourself back to centre, arming yourself against the stresses of life.
Imagine all these benefits just from being outside, taking a walk, breathing the fresh air, noticing the green growth, rocky shores or sandy beaches. Or even just sitting in your back- yard having a yarn with the neighbours.
Imagine being able to step outside your door here in our peaceful part of the planet, take a look around and really love your space.
Got a design question for Marie? Email editorial@downhomelife.com.
