Why Your Surroundings Matter More Than You Might Think
Environmental psychology is the study of how our we are affected by our surroundings. Research has shown that your level of fondness for the home you grew up in, the woods, hills or lakefronts where you played as a child or even the place where you first attended school all have an impact on the way you relate to others, specifically in terms of the affection you feel for them.
It has also been demonstrated that being forced to relocate from a place you are deeply attached to can create the same kind of distress and heartbreak that is generated by the loss of a loved one. All of which means that whatever you do in life, it is important to choose your surroundings with care.
Restore a sense of nature
With 62 percent of Americans now living in cities, according to the most recent US Census report, fewer people are spending time outdoors and connecting with nature. This is bad news because there is a great body of research that shows that such activities can have a positive effect on our health and wellbeing.
Simply walking in the park can be of great benefit to those suffering from disorders such as depressions, anxiety and attention deficit disorder. Whether you spend most of your time at home or in the office, be sure to take some time each day or at least several times a week to go and walk in some green or wild spaces.
Find the right place to make memories
Whether it’s a wedding, a graduation party or a baby shower, the venue you choose for a special celebration will also have special meaning in years to come. While such events can sometimes be held at home, they can be made all the more special by hosting them in a larger venue where professional caterers and bar staff can ensure everyone has the best possible time.
For example, the Thrasher-Horne events venue in Jacksonville has six multipurpose rooms suitable for a wide range of occasions thanks to variable seating options, flexible catering and movable wall partitions. If you hold your event at a venue, you also make use of in other ways, such as to see theater productions or hear live music, the good memories associated with the event will return every time you enter the venue.
The enduring importance of home
The homes we live in as adults tend to be an extension of ourselves, part of the public face people put out. At the same time, the homes we grew up in usually retain an iconic status in our lives. When asked, many people still define themselves at least in part, by the place they were raised rather than where they end up. We all want to have a place where we truly belong, and for many, this is represented by their childhood home. Such feelings are reinforced when you return home for the holidays, especially as the focus during such times is on your family and reconnecting with friends.
A 2008 survey of 2,260 American adults conducted by the Pew Research Center asked participants to identify “the place in your heart you consider to be home” More than one third chose a place that was not their current address. A quarter said home was where they were born or raised and 15 percent said it was where their family had originated from. It’s proof positive that our concept of home is how we connect to the rest of the world.