How Environment Can Have a Positive Impact on Health

The Influence of Physical Environment

Your surroundings play a big part in your health, and there are a few key factors to consider when moving to a new place or maximizing the wellness of your current environment. The first one is clean air. The air we breathe powers our body with oxygen—but sometimes pollutants or allergens can be floating in our midst without us knowing it. If you’re concerned about the air quality in your area, use an air quality app to understand the air quality index (AQI) as well as the pollen in the air, AQI forecast and pollen forecast. Additionally, a HEPA indoor air filter is a great way to remove any unwanted particles from your home.

Harnessing natural light is another important step you can take in turning to your environment as a tool for better health. Natural light helps our bodies generate Vitamin D and avoid seasonal affective disorder, not to mention simply boosting our mood. And of course, clean water is elemental to overall health and wellbeing. If you live in an older house, it’s worth getting your water tested for lead and other contaminants. Investing in a water filter (most store-bought options work well) is a good way to minimize your exposure to chemicals that can leach into waterways, aquifers and other water sources.

Designing Accessible and Inclusive Environments

Environments are best when we can all access and enjoy them. To this end, it’s important to design accessible and inclusive spaces, both inside and out. Doing so helps us all come together to enjoy our surroundings. Common spaces should not limit accessibility or movement for those who use a wheelchair or other mobility support device. Be mindful of loading and unloading zones, bathroom accommodations, accessibility routes and trails and ramps. This goes for urban areas such as parks as well as backcountry accessibility like trailheads and trail systems. 

Universal design principles help enhance wellbeing for diverse populations, guiding the design of products, services and environments to maximize inclusivity. The Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State developed this guide:

1. Equitable use
2. Flexibility in use
3. Simple and intuitive
4. Perceptible information
5. Tolerance for error
6. Low physical effort
7. Size and space for approach and use

Promoting Active Lifestyles Through Urban Planning

Just as important as it is for our indoor environments to provide safe, nourishing spaces, it’s equally valuable for outdoor environments to foster engagement, activity and healthy living. Three cornerstones of promoting an active lifestyle through urban planning include:

Building walkable communities.

Giving people the opportunity to commute by foot instead of relying on cars or other public transportation increases physical activity as well as connection with our surroundings. Walkable communities lower air pollution, strengthen community identity, encourage sustainability, support local business growth, cater to tourism, improve microclimates and bolster our mental and physical health.

Creating accessible green spaces.

Incorporating green spaces into urban planning not only gives us another reason to get outside and into the natural environment, it also reduces air pollution, provides wildlife habitat, increases physical activity, strengthens social cohesion, conserves the environment and provides space for recreation for all ages. 

Fostering outdoor activities in communities.

Whether it’s stand-up paddle boarding through town, walking a local trail system or taking a sailing lesson at the city beach, making ways for people to access outdoor activities in communities is an excellent environmental foundation. These activities encourage civic engagement because we all want to preserve the outdoor spaces in which we love to play. Outdoor recreation also helps build a sense of community, generates economic growth, contributes to tourism dollars, improves physical and mental health and shows a community commitment to inclusivity. 

Fostering Social Connections and Supportive Communities

Our communities, centers, hamlets, neighborhoods, localities and gathering spots have long provided much more than just a geographical overlap. Supportive, inclusive communities foster social connections. They create a safe space for people to turn for help and friendship. Block parties, neighborhood clean-ups, fun runs, community potlucks and other gatherings are a lifeline and point of joy for millions of people throughout the world. Maintaining a healthy community is an excellent way to nourish personal wellness.

Designing Healthy Workspaces

There are approximately 2,080 working hours in a year for someone who works a traditional 40-hour workweek. That’s a good chunk of our day, which is why creating healthy workplaces is yet another key part of improving our environment.  

Incorporating ergonomics and comfort in the workplace not only makes us feel better between 9:00 am–5:00 pm, it also enhances productivity, improves work quality, decreases hot spots and pain points that can come from sitting and staring at a screen, makes for healthier employees and better employee satisfaction, reduces days out of the office and improves employee morale. 

On top of providing an ergonomic-friendly environment, there are a variety of ways to reduce employee stress and promote wellbeing at work. Consider offering flexible work arrangements that better accommodate employees’ life outside work, recognizing and rewarding milestones and achievements, hosting company parties and picnics and offering additional opportunities for fun beyond the office, such as outings and off-site meetings that can foster creativity. 

Finally, incorporating some employee wellness programs and benefits can greatly boost morale. A few ideas include:

• Stress management techniques
• Fitness memberships
• Wellness assessments
• Yoga
• Community service as a group
• Organized group fitness classes
• Employee outings
• Employee assistance programs
• Team building activities

Implementing Green Building Practices

Applying healthy environments and healthy living to buildings and infrastructure is another way to build stronger connections between personal and environmental health. Green and LEED-certified buildings reduce carbon emissions, improve indoor air quality and save water and energy. 

Learn more about how your company or businesses within your area are committing to cleaner water and air. A few key factors to look for are: dedication to air quality, thoughtful integration of light and natural elements, dedicated relaxation spaces, design that promotes movement and the use of sustainable materials.

As the benefits of green building practices become more and more evident, it’s easier to find companies committed to the cause. While Patagonia, Nike, IKEA, Timberland and Starbucks are most prominently known for these efforts, it’s not uncommon to find smaller businesses pursuing the same goals. Take a closer look at your community to see which organizations are doing their part to contribute to healthier neighborhoods and more sustainable practices and consider supporting those businesses when possible. 

Conclusion

They say it takes a village. That’s certainly true when it comes to creating healthy community spaces designed for longevity and preserving the natural environments that intertwine with our daily lives. This World Health Day and every day, consider the steps you can take to empower a healthy intersection of environment and personal wellbeing. It can be something as small as plugging in an air filter or cleaning up microtrash in your neighborhood. Make a list of the responsible businesses you want to support this year. Talk with friends, family and neighbors about communal ways to uplift those around you. Making these efforts today will help ensure a healthier world for generations to come.