Part 3 of the 8 Dimensions of Wellbeing Series
Discover how your physical surroundings impact your mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. Learn practical steps to nurture environmental wellbeing in daily life.
What Is Environmental Wellbeing?
Environmental wellbeing is the dimension that focuses on your surroundings — both your physical space and your relationship with the natural world. It asks: Does where I live, work, and rest support my health, clarity, and peace?
This includes:
- The cleanliness and organization of your home
- The energy or emotional tone of your space
- Your sensory environment (light, sound, smell, color)
- Your connection to nature and the outdoors
- How you steward and care for the spaces you inhabit
Environmental wellbeing isn’t about aesthetics or perfection — it’s about creating environments that feel safe, nourishing, and life-supporting.
Why Environmental Wellbeing Matters
The spaces we live in either support our wellbeing or slowly chip away at it. Clutter, chaos, and disorganization can lead to mental fog, overwhelm, and stress. On the other hand, even small changes — light, fresh air, a tidy corner — can bring calm, clarity, and emotional safety.
Here’s why environmental wellbeing is important:
- Our surroundings reflect and shape our inner state
- A peaceful environment can calm anxiety and regulate the nervous system
- Nature contact improves mood, focus, and immune function
- Clean, organized spaces make it easier to care for ourselves and others
You deserve to feel at ease in your own space — whether that’s a tiny room, shared home, or open landscape.
How to Practice Environmental Wellbeing
You don’t need a renovation or a design budget to begin. Environmental wellbeing starts with awareness and intention.
1. Clear Out What No Longer Serves You
Decluttering is more than tidying — it’s making room for peace. Start with one drawer or one shelf. Ask: Does this item support the life I want to live?
2. Create Sacred Spaces
Designate a small area that feels peaceful and restorative — a quiet chair by a window, a candle-lit corner, or a desk with a favorite photo. Let this be a place of grounding.
3. Bring Nature Inside
Natural elements like plants, stones, wood, or fresh flowers remind your body that you are connected to the earth. Even a daily step outside or open window matters.
4. Tend to Light and Sound
Use warm lighting, open curtains, or soft music to shape the mood of your space. Reduce noise or overstimulation where you can.
5. Engage in Rhythmic Care
Make space care a gentle rhythm — not a to-do list. Light a candle as you clean. Say a prayer as you fold. Let your care be a meditation.
6. Honor the Earth You Inhabit
Consider how your lifestyle supports or strains the environment. Use natural cleaning products, recycle, and simplify when possible. Respecting the earth is part of respecting yourself.
A Gentle Prompt:
What part of your space is asking for your attention?
What small change could you make today that would bring a little more peace?
In the next article, we’ll turn our attention to Financial Wellbeing — and how money, values, and emotional safety are more connected than we often realize.
-Laura