Environmental Factors That Affect Mental Health
Our mental health is intricately integrated into every aspect of our wellbeing, including our heart health. Recent research has revealed a profound connection between our mental state and cardiovascular health – they’re not separate entities but rather two deeply interconnected aspects of our overall wellness.1 Mental health challenges like stress, anxiety, or depression, can significantly impact our heart health.1 In contrast, cardiovascular issues can take a toll on our mental wellbeing, creating a cycle that requires careful attention and understanding.
In the following sections, we will explore various internal and external factors that can affect our mental health and discuss what practical changes can be made to create a more supportive environment. By understanding these influences and making mindful adjustments, we can enhance mental health outcomes, which consequently promote our overall well-being, including heart health.
Internal Factors That Affect Mental Health
Home and workplace environment can seriously impact our mental health. Here is how:
Home
Our home environment plays a fundamental role in shaping our mental wellbeing, encompassing far more than just the physical structure we live in.2 It’s a complex interplay of factors that can impact our psychological health.2 For instance, poor housing conditions like dampness and mould can lead to physical health issues, which in turn affect mental well-being.3 Overcrowded living spaces often result in sleep problems and increased stress levels.3 Financial concerns such as difficulties paying rent or mortgage can trigger anxiety and depression.3 Additionally, challenging housing situations can strain relationships with family members or housemates, potentially leading to arguments and further housing complications if relationships break down.3 The lack of basic amenities, such as proper cooking facilities, can impact our ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle, creating a cycle that affects both physical and mental health.3
Workplace
Our workplace environment also plays a profound role in shaping our mental health and overall wellbeing.4 A toxic workplace rarely develops overnight – it manifests itself through various signals.4 These environments are characterised by excessive stress, poor organisational support and dysfunctional interpersonal relationships.4 Perhaps most revealing of all would be a high rate of absence and employee turnover, as workers seek to escape these harmful conditions.4 A fundamental problem could be the decrease of healthy boundaries, where employers place unrealistic demands on their employees, forcing them to prioritise work over personal life and well-being.4
Trust issues are also an internal factor that affect mental health – when employees feel that management or their colleagues do not trust them, an atmosphere of constant monitoring and micromanagement arises that can be psychologically exhausting.4 Rudeness at the workplace, which manifests in thoughtless actions that leave employees feeling disrespected or belittled, can be particularly harmful.4 Perhaps most destructive of all is the presence of contempt in the workplace, which manifests in ridicule, name-calling and hostile behaviour and can severely erode a person’s sense of self-worth.4
External Factors That Affect Mental Health
Climate, safety and economic factors can seriously impact our psychological wellbeing. Let’s explore this:
Climate and Natural Elements
The climate where we live can significantly influence our mental state. Exposure to sunlight, temperature variations, and the increasing threat of natural disasters all play crucial roles in our psychological wellbeing.2 Climate change has emerged as a particularly concerning factor, with rising temperatures being linked to increased rates of aggression and violent behaviors.2 More frequent natural disasters are contributing to a rise in depression, adjustment disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder.2
The quality of our air and the presence of toxins in our homes can have surprising effects on our mental health.2 Research has revealed higher rates of depression in areas with increased pollution levels, with both short-term and long-term exposure to poor air quality linked to increased risks of anxiety and suicidal thoughts.5 Within our homes, common elements like cleaning products and mold can create additional health challenges.2 The relationship between physical health conditions like asthma (which can be triggered by these environmental factors) and mental health issues creates a complex web of interconnected health concerns.2
Security and Safety
Crime levels in our residential areas can cast a long shadow over mental wellbeing, with research showing that women are particularly vulnerable to the psychological impacts of living in high-crime areas.5 The constant stress of feeling unsafe is an external factor that affect mental health and can manifest as increased rates of depression and anxiety, affecting daily activities and overall quality of life.2
Economic Factors
Poverty represents one of the most challenging aspects of the home environment, creating a cycle that can be difficult to break.2 The social stress, stigma, and trauma associated with living in poverty can significantly impact mental health for both adults and children.2 These mental health challenges can, in turn, affect employment opportunities and relationship stability, potentially perpetuating the cycle of poverty.2
Environmental changes that can improve mental health
Taking care of your mental health often involves addressing various aspects of your lifestyle. It is important to prioritise this care not only for your mental well-being but also for your physical health. Research has shown that mental health has a significant impact on heart health.1
Psychological Detachment and Praxis of Relaxation
Psychological detachment involves consciously disconnecting from work-related thoughts and emotions during non-work hours.2 For example exercising, planning future events with loved ones, or pursuing hobbies that take your mind completely away from workplace concerns.4 Equally important is the practice of relaxation and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.4 This might include meditation, spending time in nature, or enjoying peaceful moments with family and friends.4
Enhancing Sleep Quality
Quality sleep forms the foundation of good mental health.6 Create a consistent sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.6 Make your bedroom a peaceful sanctuary – comfortable, quiet, and dark.6 Limit exposure to electronic devices before bedtime, as their blue light can disrupt your natural sleep cycle.6 Avoid caffeine in the later hours and limit alcohol, as both can interfere with sleep quality.6 Regular physical activity during the day can help regulate your sleep patterns, but avoid exercising too close to bedtime.6
Adapt Your Living Space
You can actively modify your living environment to support your mental wellbeing through several simple adjustments.2 Increasing the amount of light in a room and using brighter paint colours can significantly impact your mood.2 Decluttering and organizing your space can help create an environment that promotes focus and relaxation.2 Additionally, engaging different senses through environmental modifications can help balance your emotional state – for instance, using quiet music or ocean sounds and lavender scents can reduce anxiety, while peppermint fragrances and bright lighting can help boost energy levels when feeling low.2
Ask for Help
It is important to acknowledge that making significant changes to our environment is not always immediately possible or feasible. Whether it is moving to a new home, ending a toxic relationship, changing jobs, or breaking habits like smoking, these transitions can be challenging and complex. In such situations, reaching out for support is crucial. Remember that asking for help – when internal or external factors affect your mental health – is not a sign of weakness, but rather an initiative-taking step toward improving your mental health.
At Daiichi Sankyo, our commitment to cardiovascular health is unwavering, focusing on research, education, and innovative treatments. Through an emphasis on psychocardiology and empowering individuals to take an active role in managing their health, we aim to enhance patient outcomes. Our goal is to support clinical communities and healthcare systems across Europe, reducing the impact of cardiovascular disease by promoting awareness of comprehensive, holistic approaches to health.
