Tabitha Tip: Cultivating the Environment Starts With Your Own

When most folks think of the environment, their mind may wander to the kinds of birds that flutter to their birdfeeder, what types of plants and trees grow in their yard, or perhaps the world’s flora and fauna as a whole. Humans collectively maintain the Earth in acts big and small—from re-planting groves of trees to mowing the lawn and everything in between. But what maintenance do you perform for your personal environment?

The spaces you live, work and simply exist in have a major impact on your sense of well-being. Here’s how to empower yourself through your surroundings—just in time for National Environment Day!

Your ideal environment? Where you feel most like you. The University of Minnesota puts it best: “Personal environments do not exist in isolation.” How could you possibly thrive in a place where you don’t feel like—or aren’t allowed to express—your most authentic self? It’s easier to tailor aspects of your home to your specific preferences, but might prove more difficult when you’re around others that don’t understand your humor, nuances and self-expression.

Your social connections are an extension of your personal environment, which means spending time with people you are comfortable around will fulfill your emotional needs. Thus, when someone preaches to “surround yourself with positive people,” you might want to take their word for it!

The best part of your environment: it’s fully customizable. If you don’t feel fulfilled with your current settings, you can make changes at any time. Consider the implications of each decision and how they might bring you joy, or alleviate you from unnecessary stress or grief. Whether it’s a small purchase—like a soft blanket to make your days feel cozier—or a major life change—like phasing out of a relationship or adopting a furry friend—you know what’s best for you.

Self-care takes up a major space in your environment. As you tend to yourself with acceptance, kindness and forgiveness, the way you perceive yourself may change and bloom.

Your personal environment will transform as you age. Did you know that both your youngest and oldest years are most formative in shaping your identity? It’s crucial to ensure that your physical surroundings are up to par, not only during these stages of life, but throughout. A study ran by The Gerontologist found significant correlation between older adults’ environments, quality of life measures and mortality rates by observing participants’ housing, neighborhood, traffic levels and interactions with neighbors. Therefore, you’re doing yourself a favor in the long run when your living situation helps you feel safe, sheltered and at ease.

Lincoln recently received the AARP Age-Friendly Community designation, which means plans are underway to make Nebraska’s capital city more accessible for aging adults to live and thrive in. When Seniors live joyfully and age gratefully, many others can feel empowered to do the same.

Karl Marx has been preaching it since the mid-1800s: “Man is the product of his environment.” When your choices brighten your own life, you may feel compelled to show openness and kindness to others in turn. Enjoy the opportunity to Cultivate a better world!

This health tip is brought to you by Tabitha. To learn more, visit us at Tabitha.org or call 308.389.6002.

As the state’s quality award-winning expert for older adults, nonprofit Tabitha empowers people to live joyfully, age gratefully. Supporting families since 1886 across Nebraska, Tabitha offers a range of services, from results-driven rehabilitation, accessible at-home home health care, innovative living communities and compassionate hospice services. Tabitha is Your Answer; learn more at Tabitha.org.