Your home and work environment can:

1. Influence your mood. For example, research studies reveal that rooms with bright light, both natural and artificial, can improve depression and anxiety.
2. Impact your behavior and motivation to act. For example, a messy hall with shoes, bags, and other stuff may invite you to drop what you are carrying right there, whereas a clean entry and adequate storage will encourage you to take the time to put the item away.
3. Facilitate or discourage interactions in your family and with guests. For example, an inviting space with comfortable chairs can encourage people to sit and chat.
4. Create or reduce stress, which impacts not only your emotional, but also physical health, including your longevity!

The field of mind-body studies includes research on the relationship between our surroundings and our health. Studies show that a healthy and pleasing environment (like plants in your office, or a treasured photograph on the wall) can do more than simply improve your mood--it can actually affect your immune system and physical health.

Medical researcher Dr. Esther Sternberg is internationally recognized for her research of the mind-body interaction in illness and healing. Her book Healing Places explores the connection between our personal environment and our wellbeing.

Bowler, D. E., Buyung-Ali, L. M., Knight, T. M., & Pullin, A. S. (2010). A systematic review of evidence for the added benefits to health of exposure to natural environments. BMC Public Health, 10, 456.

Clark, C., Sörqvist, P. (2012). A 3 year update on the influence of noise on performance and behavior. Noise Health;14(61), 292-6.

Edwards, L., and Paul A. Torcellini. (2002). A literature review of the effects of natural light on building occupants. Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Huelat, Barbara (2003). Healing Environments: Design For the Body, Mind & Spirit. Alexandria and Arlington, VA: Medezyn and Peecapress.

Huelat, Barbara (2007). Healing Environments: What's the Proof? Alexandria and Arlington, VA: Medezyn and Peecapress.

Hyder, C. (1998). Wind and Water: Your Personal Feng Shei Journey. Berkeley, CA: The Crossing Press

Küller, R. and Küller, M. (2001) The influence of daylight and artificial light on diurnal and seasonal variations in humans. A bibliography. Vienna: CIE Technical Report No. 139, Commission International de l'Eclairag.

Marcus, C., and Barnes, M. (1999). Healing Gardens. New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons.

Selub, E., Logan, A. (2012). Your brain on nature. Mississauga, Ontario: Wiley.

Sternberg, E. M. (2009). Healing spaces. Harvard University Press.

Stigsdotter, U., Grahn, P. (2004). A Garden at Your Doorstep May Reduce Stress – Private Gardens as Restorative Environments in the City. Department of Landscape Planning, Alnarp Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences SLU.