IMPACT
Maintaining your Environments can be large or small. Features writer Francesca offers some advice on how to create a positive personal environment. When you think of the environment, you probably think of the o-zone, climate change, wildlife, animals and all things ‘planet earth’. But the environment exists in our immediate space, be that at home, in your workplace or even in Hallward during a late-night study session. And, just as we should take care of the wider environment, it’s important to do the same for our immediate surroundings in order to take care of ourselves. What’s around you can affect your mood, health (both physical and mental), behaviour and general wellbeing, so it’s important to keep your personal environment feeling calm, safe and healthy. Here are some tips and tricks from my own experiences and preferences, to help you feel peaceful wherever you are. LIGHT Getting natural light is a must for your personal environment. Studies have shown a link between sunlight and wellbeing, so keep your curtains open during the day and sit somewhere sunny if you’re out in public. Darker evenings and shorter days in the winter months can cause SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), so once the sun’s gone down, turn on a bright light and illuminate your room. The luminosity from any light will keep you feeling positive, and also separate your time being awake and productive, from the time you choose to settle down in the evening when lower light will make you feel cosy and ready for a good night’s sleep. SOUND Noise pollution can cause headaches, irritability and be a big distraction. If you have noisy neighbours or live on a busy road, plug some headphones in or play some music aloud and focus on those sounds. Similarly, listening to instrumental music when you study will also help focus your mind and create a safe personal space for you. Spotify has playlists based on mood which can help pick you up (like ‘Mood Booster’ and ‘Confidence Boost’) and motivate you (see ‘Monday Motivation’ and ‘Walk Like a Badass’).
CLOTHES Whether you’re studying in the library or lounging at home, what you wear can impact your personal environment. My first tip is to wear whatever you feel most comfortable in, be that trackies, jeans, a dressing gown, whatever (although pyjamas in the library may not be the best decision!) Another thing to consider is that sometimes dressing up and wearing something a bit more special might make you feel more confident, and therefore more productive and ‘put together’. Of course, it is personal preference, but it’s good to bear in mind how much what you wear can affect how you feel – remember that the way you look is for yourself as much as, if not more than, for others. PLANTS Reducing indoor pollution and improving your air quality with plants will help not only your personal environment, but the wider world. Having cacti, flowers, bonsai, or even just some watercress growing in your kitchen will give you something to care for as well as yourself and brighten up even the dullest corners of any room. TIDY The expression ‘tidy room, tidy mind’ is certainly something to consider. I find that when my room’s a mess, my notes are disordered and my washing hasn’t been done, everything piles up on top of me and so does my stress. Keeping your room or your library space neat and organised while you study will help focus your mind and allow you to relax better when you’re taking some time for yourself because, like your space, your mind won’t be so cluttered.
Francesca Hadland
Illustration and page design by Beth Dunnett
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