When people talk about stress, they’ll often talk about it – and think about it – as something that’s only in their heads, but the truth is that so much of it comes from our environments and the places we spend time in every day, whether we choose to be there or not. All of that affects how overwhelmed you feel, and the hardest part is that environments don’t usually make it easy to spot that they’re having any kind of impact on you – you might feel a bit tense or overloaded in some way, but that’s it. And that’s because we do tend to adapt to our surroundings so quickly that it’s not always easy or even possible to notice that they’re doing things to us that we’re not asking for, but once you do know, you can do something about it. With that in mind, let’s take a look at how our environments shape our stress levels – read on to find out more.

Clutter Raises A Lot Of Stress

Clutter might just look like mess at first, but it’s actually a whole lot more than that because every out of place object sends a tiny signal to your brain that there’s unfinished work or something you should be dealing with around you. And although one or maybe two items won’t do too much harm, when it’s lots of things all over the place, that’s really going to pile up and make you feel bad.

That’s why cluttered rooms aren’t much fun to be in, and why it’s so much more pleasant when you tidy a corner or why walking into a clean kitchen can improve your whole evening. The brain absolutely loves a bit of order because that gives it the space it needs to think without being interrupted all the time by the environment.

What’s great is that even small changes can help massively, so things like clearing surfaces, making sure everything has a home, or just making one spot where you can go that’s nice and calm is definitely worthwhile.

Noise Affects The Nervous System

We absorb a lot more sound than you might think, and that includes things like traffic, conversations, humming appliances, loud workplaces, kids playing, phones buzzing… all of that competes for your attention, and it never ends, and it does it even if you’re trying not to hear it. The fact is, your body stays slightly alert in noisy environments just in case of danger, and that’s going to keep your stress levels higher than they need to be.

And for people with hearing differences, the impact of all that noise can be even bigger because the brain’s going to be working even harder to process it all, which creates even more stress. It’s one reason why when cochlear implants are effective for someone, they’ll often experience calmer, more enjoyable communication because they don’t have to work so hard to keep up anymore.

Keeping your environment totally quiet usually isn’t possible, but if you can soften or reduce the sound in some way, you’ll more than likely notice the difference.

Lighting Changes Your Mood

Harsh lighting is really uncomfortable, but not just because it hurts your eyes – the fact is, it instantly puts the body into a state of tension. Bright white bulbs, flickering lights, or strong overhead lighting can make your eyes strain and your head ache, but on the other hand, warm, soft lighting and natural daylight can help to keep the nervous system calm and help you feel a lot more settled.

Think about how you feel in a room lit by lamps compared to a supermarket aisle. There’s a difference, isn’t there? And that’s not in your imagination – your body really does feel a lot safer when it’s in gentle light. You can help create the right environment for you and your peace of mind by fully opening your curtains, using warm bulbs, and using lamps instead of the ‘big light’ in the evenings.

Temperature Can Influence Stress And Focus

Being too hot or too cold is distracting, especially since your body has to work a lot harder to keep you comfortable – that physical effort adds to mental stress, and that’s why overheated offices feel exhausting and why cold homes make it so hard to concentrate on what you’re meant to be doing. The fact is, temperature influences your mood, patience, and productivity, and although that might be surprising, it’s scientific fact.

Comfort doesn’t need to be unchanging – you can have days when your comfort levels allows you to be a bit warmer or a bit cooler, and so on. Don’t worry too much about exact numbers, but try to stay consistent if you can because your body and mind will understand what’s happening more easily. Have a fan in your home or a cosy blanket for when you need it, and you can help yourself stay a bit more comfortable.

You’ll Need Some Space For Movement

When you feel like you’re physically boxed in, your mind mirrors that feeling, and you’ll be stressed. And that’s going to happen in places like narrow walkways, crowded rooms, when you keep bumping into furniture, and so on. All of these things are going to make you feel more and more irritated, but when you can actually move freely through a space, you’ll feel much more relaxed – and a lot less stressed.

Although it might be that taking down a wall or two (with professional help, to be on the safe side) could be the answer to this specific problem, it might not need to be such a big job because sometimes just rearranging furniture can solve it all for you. Or what about getting rid of something you don’t use or don’t like, like a side table or a foot stool? You’ll end up with more space and a home you’re happy with.

Final Thoughts

Your environment constantly sends signals to your body, and when those signals are a little kinder, calmer, and more pleasant, you’re going to reduce your stress levels and everything will be easier.