How Does Physical Environment Impact Health?
The environment we spend our time in has a significant impact on our physical and emotional health. It is not just the color of the walls within a space, but the temperature, lighting, air quality, sound, and tidiness all have an effect on how we feel. Since the average American spends 90 percent of their time indoors, our home, workspace, and community are key elements to our overall well-being.
Geography affects our health, from neighborhood safety to weather. City slickers and country mice tend to have different health issues. Urban dwellers battle pollution, including environmental, noise, and light. They may find it difficult to find spaces to exercise. Rural dwellers have less access to healthcare providers and more severe seasonal allergies. The same is true for Southern Californians versus New Englanders. Lack of sunlight during the dark and cold New England winter increases the risk of a vitamin D deficiency. This can lead to fatigue, sleep disruption, depression, and a weakened immune system. Getting sunlight and staying active is essential for New Englanders in the winter, while hydration and air quality are challenges for Southern Californians in the hot, dry summer months.
The spaces we live and work in, also affect our health. A healthy home and office should be dry, clean, well-ventilated, safe, pest-free, free from contaminants, well-maintained, temperature controlled, accessible, and affordable. These spaces not only evoke physical sensations, but also emotional sensations, so color, lighting, aroma, decor, texture, and organization should also be considered. Clutter seems to be a big obstacle when creating a comfortable, sustainable home and workplace. The piles in your home are not the only clutter to consider. A cluttered schedule and mind should also be considered.
It is my formal education in interior design that instilled a keen understanding of the importance of physical environment. A space should not only be inviting but functional. Being a New Englander and avid gardener, natural elements within an interior space are also vital to me. In writing this post I am reminded of American architect, Philip Johnson’s New Canaan, CT weekend retreat, the Glass House. Johnson called the house, “a platform for viewing nature”, on the 47-acre estate. Though the structure is of modernist steel and glass box, Johnson celebrated the connection to nature by thoughtfully designing the site and architectural plans inspired by the existing stone walls, rolling hills, and spectacular views of the property. He once joked, “I have very expensive wallpaper”. Philip Johnson passed away in his sleep while at the Glass House, at the age of 98 years old. I can’t help but think having this stunning nature retreat to escape from the hustle and bustle of life in New York City, essentially living the best of both worlds, helped with his longevity.
Be well,
Sarah
