See how the environment can interfere with your emotions and learn how to make your home more cozy
Colors, decorative objects, lighting, furniture arrangement and other elements in an environment are capable of awakening a series of sensations, whether good or bad, and exerting an influence on the physical and mental health of people who live there or just pass by. for a space. On the other hand, people’s behaviors also affect the environment with which they interact.
According to Angela Maria Pelizer de Arruda, specialist and postgraduate researcher in Positive Psychology, well-beingand self-fulfillment, environments linked to nature, for example, are able to provide lightness, well-being and tranquility.
“Contact with elements of nature, whether natural (preferably) or even artificial pieces that remind us of nature, bring greater tranquility and well-being. Therefore, it is important that we are in frequent contact with the environment, whether at home or in a weekend getaway, on vacation, etc.”, he explains.
Interference of the environment in emotions
On the other hand, still according to the professional, there are spaces capable of increasing the level of cortisol, which is the hormone responsible for irritability and stress. That is, they are places that do not guarantee much quality of life.
“Closed environments, with many objects accumulated and arranged in a disorganized way, without warmth, cleanliness or comfort (not in the financial sense, but that brings personal comfort)”, exemplifies Angela Maria Pelizer de Arruda. Furthermore, objects that refer us to a person or place can stir our emotions, depending on the type of memory they awaken.
less is more
There are a few decoration styles, such as the minimalist and the contemporary, which follow the rule of “less is more”, that is, they reject excesses in environments. In addition to the aesthetic issue, they can also contribute to the mental health of residents and people who frequent these spaces.
According to Angela Maria Pelizer de Arruda, the excess of objects in an environment can influence people’s well-being. “Visually speaking, too much information brought by the environment with too many objects impairs attention, rest and well-being. So, many objects in places of study or rest can bring concrete damage, ”she points out.
In addition, as the postgraduate researcher in positive psychology, well-being and self-realization points out, letting go of excess and the desire to buy more and more, “means a fuller and more meaningful life with what really matters: family, friends , purpose of life”.
Internal and external organization
The way we organize the furniture, decorative items and other elements of the House it is also related to our mental organization, because, according to the PUCPR professor, everything we do externally reflects the way we think.
“Very concentrated and systematically organized people generally have their environment equally organized. On the other hand, people who do many things at the same time and do not have a mental organization about their life, goals and future, usually bring this to their external actions in the environment where they live”, explains the specialist.
Beliefs and customs in the environment
As Angela Maria Pelizer de Arruda explains, we are “singular beings formed, at least in part, by our beliefs and customs”, which also directly influences our relationship with the environment in which we live.
“If a person has always lived in a disorganized environment, he has a great tendency to develop a culture of disorganization. The same happens with people who have always had contact with nature, they usually look for an environment of well-being in nature”, he exemplifies.
affective memory
Affective memory can also interfere with the way spaces are decorated, organized and constructed and, consequently, this can affect emotional health. “Thus, in a positive or negative way, we can bring into adult life what takes us back to childhood”, adds the expert.
Positive energies
In environments, the belief in positive energies, which can make people more positive, can provide more quality of life. “Seeking positivity in simple everyday situations develops our cognitive capacity and changes the focus of our affections”, says Angela Maria Pelizer de Arruda.
Feng Shui techniques, for example, can be applied to any type of decoration and seek to find a balance of energy between environments and people, in a way that promotes well-being for the resident and people who use the space.
Positivity and well-being
According to the PUCPR professor, positivity expands the part of our brain that is related to gratitude “and we begin to perceive new possibilities, which leads us to a greater perspective on life, goals and the future, even in situations of crisis we managed to see alternatives to win”.
The expert points out that being positive does not necessarily mean seeing the bright side in all things in life, but that it is necessary to get away from the large amount of negativity around us. “The more negative we are, the more negative situations open up, because our neural reactions are focusing on the negative,” she concludes. Thus, to have a more harmonious home, it is important to bring elements that awaken pleasant sensations and memories and let go of those that refer to uncomfortable situations.
Source: Maxima
I am an experienced author and journalist with a passion for lifestyle journalism. I currently work for Buna Times, one of the leading news websites in the world. I specialize in writing stories about health, wellness, fashion, beauty, interior design, and more. My articles have been featured on major publications such as The Guardian and The Huffington Post.