Environmental Self-Care
Every time I walked into my son’s bedroom I became instantly stressed. No matter how many shelves or storage boxes I had bought it never contained the clutter. I tried the out of site out of mind approach but that didn’t work. I had to go in and clean at some point!
While many moms can relate, what isn’t ever addressed is that this is a part of self-care. And when we can’t control it or manage the anxiety from it – it creates more problems.
It turns into a subconscious stressor and messes with our well-being.
And this can happen in any space you spend time in.
Even if you don’t have kids, clutter and unorganized environments mess with us.
The solution?
Environmental self-care.
Why is Environmental Self-Care Important?
When we don’t love where we live or are stressed by the cluttered chaos of our home, we can’t do our best. If you come home from a long day of work and your living room is full of laundry that needs to be put away. You sit down on the couch and start scrolling social media with the TV on – your mind and body will not be able to relax.
In fact, it can prevent you from mental clarity. Research has shown that the extra visual distraction from clutter puts us into cognitive overload and can reduce working memory. Our systems can only handle so much at one time. And your items around you can impact how much this is.
I know for myself when I am struggling to focus if I do a quick cleanup of my space, it is easier to work and think clearly.
Where to Start with Environmental Self Care?
How do you even know where to start? Do an environmental assessment to see what stresses you out.
Walk through your home and jot down everything the bothers you. Do the same with your workplace, car and the any other areas outside your home where you spend time. For example, if you go to your parents’ place a lot add it to the assessment.
Include on your list the stuff in your space, the air, the energy – everything that impacts you.
For example, you may live in a busy downtown area. When you step outside pay attention to how you feel. Is there something that instantly stresses you? Or do you love the art installation across from you?
While you might not immediately be able to fix a situation, having an inventory of what doesn’t work for you allows you to address each one when you have time.
You can also approach this by picking an area you have been struggling with and checking to see if the environment is part of the problem.
For example, are you struggling to sleep? What is going on in your bedroom? Is it cluttered? Do you like the aesthetics? Is the air vent blocked and putting out dust and very little air? Is your bed uncomfortable? These can all be addressed with some environmental self-care!
Once you have your list you can start to solve the problems that impact you the most. Remember things do change over time, so you may need to do this assessment again. Even if you live in the same space.
Ideas for Environmental Self-Care
The following are some ideas to get you started on your environmental self-care.
Home Environment
De-clutter
This is one of the best things you can do for your space to feel better. While it can be difficult because it can be emotional and time consuming. Here are some tips to help you manage it.
Organize
Along with de-cluttering you can organize your space. When you are organized it is easier to find things and it makes everything look nicer. And remember it will help you have better mental functioning.
Here are some of my favorite organizing tools.
Zipper Mesh Pockets
I have these in both letter and legal size. They are great for organizing on-going projects, kids’ artwork and more. I have one dedicated to each year of my son’s school items I wanted to keep. Plus, I use them for work projects that take longer than a day. Then I can quickly clean up my office when work is done.
Document Letter Box
Don’t let your imagination stop at putting papers in here! The beauty of these is that they are sturdy and good looking. So, while you will find paper in a couple of them at my house, you will also open them and find electronics, sports equipment and more.
Clear Plastic Storage Bins
I quit counting how many of these I have. I own these in all shapes and sizes and use them in just about every room. My favorite space for them is in the kitchen. They make it easy to pull things out to create zones for different meals. For example, I have one tub that is nothing but smaller baking items. And they are quick and easy to clean.
Bring in Things You Love
Hate that old couch that shows the stains from your college days? Time to let it go! You want to fill your space with things that make you smile.
When you don’t even like what you spend hours a day with it is hard for any of your other self-care to even work!
Pick one room you don’t like and start to slowly replace what you don’t like with what you do.
Low on budget? Start small with artwork. Then, as you save for bigger items buy quality ones you love. This way you won’t feel the need to rush out and replace them next year. Also consider looking at Facebook marketplace to find things you like for lower costs.
Plants
Plants are great for freshening the air. This is a big benefit if you live in an older home that has poor ventilation. They add oxygen and can help with allergies. For more information on the benefits of plants.
The following plants are great for purifying the air:
Work Environment
This one is more difficult to do if you don’t control space planning, air quality or even where you sit. But you can adjust your workspace. Keep it clean and organized. Bring in a small plant. Or add pictures and office supplies that you love.
Depending on your work situation you can ask your boss for adjustments to make it better for you. Or even ask if you can do some remote work (assuming your home has a good environment.)
As you are doing this, take into consideration how you work. Do you like to spread out and have lots of paper piles? Can you get boxes to store the papers in when not in use to make the less cluttered? Can you have a screen that you can pull to hide the papers?
You want the space to function to how you operate, not just look pretty. Pretty is good, but if it hinders how, you work it doesn’t really matter.
City Environment
I understand that it is hard to up and move. But if you strongly dislike where you live, it is hard to thrive. I have lived in places that I didn’t like; in fact, they down right drained me. Until I could move, I had to adapt to survive till then.
Here is how I did it:
- Travel – I know it is not always an option, but I did make it a point to go to places I did like and find nurturing. Travel can have a big emotional healing impact on you. So, even if for just a weekend try and get away.
- Find the places within the city you like. I once lived in a place that had very little pretty outdoor space. But I kept looking and found a handful of parks that I could go to for renewal. I did have to drive for about an hour, but it was worth it! It doesn’t have to be outside; it could be a beautiful theater you like going to, or a museum that brings you joy.
You could also consider moving to a town close by that wouldn’t require you to change work. But that better fits your personal needs. Decide if the town swap is worth the drive, because that can be its own type of draining.
Get Out in Nature
Nature is healing! Many studies have been done on the benefits of being in nature for mental health, physical health and more. So, get outside for a little nature self-care.
Bonus points for helping the environment so we can all have a healthier environment when we do go outside.
Here are some ideas:
- Walk at a park
- Plant a garden
- Recycle
- Compost
- Go swimming – water adds an extra level of healing to nature. So, get out and swim – even if it is just standing in a pool staring at a tree! When you do this in an ocean or lake, you also get the benefits of grounding.
Making sure you like the environment you are in will help you not only function better but help your other self-care practices be more effective. If you don’t go home to a messy house after yoga, you can maintain that relaxed energy longer!
Environmental self-care helps all areas function better. So, go ahead and make your self-care plan now!
