Author: Sana Rehman
Mental health is not only a matter of internal wellbeing, but it is found to be associated with the external environment. From a poorly-Lil office to a cluttered bedroom or a view from a window: everything affects our mental health. The surroundings directly impact our mood, feelings, behavior, and minds. The cold fresh breeze, rain, pleasant weather, seaside, beach sight, greenery, hills enchanting beauty, and northern area views, all impart a very positive impact on our mind and body. Not only beautiful sights improve the mental health of the people, but cleaning decontamination and waste management also reported to be associated with mental health.
Air Pollution
According to the World Health Organization, every 10th Person inhales polluted air and encounters polluted air is accountable to seven billion death worldwide. Polluted air found to associate with physical illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory problems, and neurovascular disease. The polluted air is not only alarming for physical health but also reported to be a risk factor for developing depression (Ali & Khoja, 2019).
Schor & Fabno (2015) recommended the relationship between polluted air and anxiety. Stress is the ultimate consequence of air pollution. Harvard School of public health carried out a study to investigate the impact of nitrogen oxide, black carbon, and other pollutants on stress. The finding of the study concluded that the perceived level of stress occurs when getting exposure to air pollution. Apart from all these, the mood swings have also been found to be dependent on climates. World Health Organization reports the connection between climates or extreme weather conditions, pollution
Exposure to Toxic Agents
Only air pollution is not a single factor which is responsible for environmental cleaning. Exposure to a toxic agent is also an alarming aspect that leads to several mental health issues. Toxic agents cause many physical diseases, disabilities, and other mental health or medical issues. Exposure to metal (Aluminum & Mercury) leads to many psychiatric symptoms such as dementia confusion, depression, anxiety, poor concentration, memory loss, and insomnia. Children's exposure to leads is responsible for developing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder, and criminal behaviors.
The exposure to lead in adolescence and young adulthood develops Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia. Toxic substance and disease registry (TSDR) suggested that the source of leads is old house paints or plumbing systems, muddy shoes, auto exhaust, or industries. Regularly cleaning houses, paint, and children's hands are important to reduce the mental health effects of leads. Mercury poison among adults develops many psychiatric complications such as irritability, depression, anxiety, excessive embracement.
The fetus and newborns are more susceptible to mercury exposure. According to TSDR the most common source of Mercury is waste products, fluorescent bulbs, and thermometers. Hence the careful handling of such waste products reduces the risk for mental health issues. Furthermore, the Aluminum, arsenic, Tin, Thallium, Magnesium, Pesticides, solvent, Toxic gases (Carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide), Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and Polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) are associated with mental health issues, disabilities, and neuropsychiatric complications.
Messy Home
Messy home always causes a feeling of distress and anxiety. Cluttering the house and housekeeping found to impart a positive impact on the mental health of the people. The University of California carried out a study on stress hormones. According to their study the messy home develop the increased level of steroids hormone, and cortisol, which produce stress.
Similar studies have been conducted in Indiana university and the results indicated that the people with clean houses are mentally healthy compared to the people with messy homes. Furthermore, it has been reported that clutter home leads to a cluttered mind, which further develops unstable relationships. In short, it can be concluded that a clean house a clean bill of physical and mental health.
Conclusion
The above facts depicted the strong connection between the environment and mental health. Hence, Environmental cleaning is very crucial for the mental health of the people. A pleasant environment is needed for the sound mind and body, but environmental cleaning can only be achieved through a cohesive contribution. A single person cannot help to keep the surroundings clean. The role of society, Government, policymakers, and social workers is very important to achieve the desired outcome.
The awareness campaign through media and social media can be effective to motivate people for keeping their environment clean. Furthermore, documentary, short films, and skits for waste management and precautionary measures should be promoted for the healthy and clean society.