Mind Your Air, Mind Your Mood

World Mental Health Day is October 10th

Have you ever noticed how good it feels to go outside after being cooped up indoors for hours? I sure do. After spending too long at my desk, the minute I get out for even a short walk, it’s like my whole brain wakes up. Because I live in the Sonoran Desert, during the summer, I head out early, around 5:30 or 6:00 a.m., before it gets unbearably hot, to get in a brisk walk before the day begins. It always does the trick. There’s just something about going from a closed-in space to the outdoors that gives you a reset.

You’ve probably felt it too. Stepping from a stuffy room into a bright, breezy space or outdoors can instantly boost your mood. And it’s not just in your mind; science confirms this. Our brains and bodies respond quickly to our environment, and we continue to learn how much the spaces around us influence us.

This is especially true for kids. Their brains are still developing, and they absorb everything in their surroundings, not just what they see or hear, but also the air they breathe.

World Mental Health Day is October 10th. It’s a great time to reflect on how our environment impacts our emotions. Knowing this means we can set up our lives and our homes in ways that help everyone feel better.