1. Psychological stress from staying at home a lot. Most people will start to feel uncomfortable or depressed after a few days at home. Staying indoors all the time, people lose access to the natural world, and that means actions and emotional experiences are the same day in and day out.
Outlook. Staying home for long periods can increase a person's risk of experiencing several mental and physical health conditions. People should keep a note of any adverse symptoms that they experience and seek medical assistance if these symptoms affect their daily life.
Low levels of serotonin are usually linked with mood swings and depression. Cooping inside for great lengths of time can build up anxiety and restlessness. Feeling restless can also make one become more irritable and upset than usual by seemingly minor things.
Housing problems can affect our mental health in many different ways. But there are some common mental health problems that you may experience if you are struggling with your housing: If you live somewhere insecure or overcrowded, you might experience stress or anxiety.
Without ample time under the big blue sky, you might begin to feel down and antsy, says Dr. Edwards, adding that you may have more trouble falling (and staying) asleep at night. Upon waking, "you might feel tired, groggy, or have low energy," she says. "Sunlight and fresh air help us with all of these issues.
Nature and mental health problems
Spending time in nature has been found to help with mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. For example, research into ecotherapy (a type of formal treatment which involves doing activities outside in nature) has shown it can help with mild to moderate depression.
As little as 20 minutes a day spent outdoors helps reduce stress. Nearly all (96 percent) U.S. adults spend some time outside every day. Age can impact time spent outdoors, with Gen X spending the most time outside and Gen Z spending the least amount of time outdoors.
A messy home environment doesn't always cause stress or anxiety for people, but in an individual with anxiety, it can make a huge difference. If you struggle with anxiety, consider evaluating your home environment. A cluttered home can sometimes be an issue because it sits at the back of your mind on your to-do list.
People who experience solitary confinement are more likely to develop anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and psychosis. The practice also affects physical health, increasing a person's risk for a range of conditions, including fractures, vision loss, and chronic pain.
Key Findings. New Jersey comes in as the number one best state to live in the US for your family's mental health in 2022. Data has shown that symptoms of mental illness among adults in New Jersey (16.14%) are lower than the national average in the US (21.1%)1.
“Mental health difficulties generally arise from not getting our basic needs met in one way or another. What we find is that if we stay inside for too long then we end up not having access to some of the things we need,” she explains. If we stay inside for too long, we don't have our basic needs met.
Isolation, exhaustion, and lack of motivation or interest in life are common experiences of individuals struggling with stress, depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. Almost everyone experiences these to some degree. Hearing this doesn't always help or make things feel easier, however.
Stay at Home Can Save Your Energy
When you go out, you end up using a lot of energy on smiling, keeping up with the flow of conversation, making sure you pick up on all the social cues around you, and so much more.
The symptoms and signs of agoraphobia may include: anxiety in response to being away from an environment that feels 'safe' panic attack including symptoms such as breathlessness, sweating, dizziness, fast heart rate, choking sensations, nausea, and feelings of extreme fear or dread.
One day inside probably won't hugely affect your health—but it's not great to constantly stay cooped up from morning until dark. The biggest issue is that entering hibernation mode means you don't get any exposure to natural light.
Stress and loneliness are two feelings that might reach all-time highs when you don't leave the house for long periods. And both can weaken your immune system — making you more susceptible to germs when you finally do venture out.
When we feel trapped, we've reached our boiling point—also known as our emotional threshold. We often have feelings of hopelessness, despair, sadness, anger, frustration, or fear. We may feel stuck in situations that have built up over time. Or stuck in situations where everything happened all at once.
It's important to remember that this is developmentally appropriate. In most likely a combination of unconscious and conscious needs, she is preparing herself for leaving at some point and having to take care of herself.
Not to mention that all that clutter can also affect our anxiety levels, sleep, ability to focus, and even make us feel less productive. When we sense those feelings, we sometimes avoid cleaning our room or procrastinate; thus, the clutter will build up. An untidy room will lead to other problems.
3 Things That Make Anxiety Worse: Avoiding, Numbing, Criticizing.
Humans feel uneasy in crowded environments, sitting in furniture which is uncomfortable or facing away from areas of high traffic. All these can lead to raised levels of stress and distraction. Lack of natural light, living greenery or natural elements are generally large indicators of unhealthy interiors.”
This is a psychological principle known as thought suppression. Thought suppression worsens anxiety when we are in our homes in isolation. The longer the period of isolation, the more likely it becomes for individuals to show signs of anxiety.
Rachel Hopman's, a neuroscientist at Northeastern University, new 20-5-3 rule for spending time outside. Generally, it is 20 minutes outside for three days a week. 5 hours each month you should spend in nature. 3 days you should spend off the grid each year.
Mental Wellness
There are many mental wellness benefits associated with being outside in green spaces, such as lower risk of depression and faster psychological stress recovery. Studies have shown that being in nature can restore and strengthen our mental capacities, increasing focus and attention.
Studies show that levels of anxiety, stress, and others are reduced by being outdoors. When you are outside, the fresh air can help raise oxygen levels in your brain, which increases serotonin levels. Serotonin is the neurotransmitter that alters your mood. Getting some fresh air is a simple way to improve your mood!