The Power of Place: How Our Environment Influences Our Health and Well-Being

When we think about improving our health, we often focus on personal habits—what we eat, how much we move, and whether we get enough sleep. But one of the most powerful influences on our well-being is something we often overlook: the environments we inhabit every day.

Research increasingly confirms that health is shaped by far more than what happens in a doctor’s office. The County Health Rankings & Roadmaps model, for example, places substantial emphasis on the social, economic, and physical conditions of communities when assessing the factors that support health and well-being. In other words, health is shaped not only by what we do—but by where and how we live.

“Health doesn’t exist in isolation,” says Dr. Jenny Yu, Dean of the College of Eastern Medicine at Southern California University of Health Sciences in Whittier. “Our surroundings—from the air we breathe to the spaces we move through every day—play a continuous role in how our bodies function and how we feel.”

How Neighborhoods Influence Health

Where we live doesn’t simply expose us to certain environmental risks; it also shapes the opportunities we have to be healthy. Access to safe housing, clean air, nutritious food, green space, sidewalks, recreation, transportation, and healthcare can make healthy behaviors easier to incorporate into everyday life. When those resources are limited or absent, the opposite can be true.

According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 13.7 million deaths worldwide—nearly one in four—are attributable to modifiable environmental risks, including air pollution, unsafe water and sanitation, chemical exposures, and increasingly severe heat and weather events. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that walkable communities with sidewalks, parks, and accessible public spaces encourage physical activity, which is associated with lower rates of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.

Why Nature Has a Powerful Effect on the Brain and Body  

Among environmental influences, access to nature stands out as especially impactful. A growing body of research links exposure to natural environments with benefits for both physical and mental health. A large systematic review and meta-analysis published in Environmental Research, encompassing 143 studies and more than 290 million people, found that greater exposure to green space was associated with a range of favorable health outcomes, including lower heart rate and diastolic blood pressure, reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, and lower all-cause mortality.

Even relatively brief exposure to nature may make a difference. In one study, spending 20 to 30 minutes in a natural setting was associated with the greatest reduction in cortisol levels per unit of time, suggesting that even a short “nature break” may help reduce physiological stress.

Research on forest bathing—a practice that originated in Japan as shinrin-yoku, or “taking in the forest atmosphere”—offers additional evidence. Studies have reported reductions in measures such as blood pressure and cortisol, along with improvements in mood and anxiety. Some research has also observed changes in markers of immune activity, including natural killer (NK) cell activity.

“What’s striking about forest bathing research is how quickly the body responds,” adds Dr. Yu. “It reinforces that our nervous system is constantly interacting with our environment—and that natural settings can help restore balance.”

The Spaces We Live and Work In

While nature plays a powerful role in our well-being, our indoor environments deserve just as much attention. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Americans spend an average of about 90% of their time indoors, where concentrations of some pollutants can be several times higher than outdoors.

Lighting, noise, air quality, and layout all shape how we feel and function day to day. Dim lighting, constant background noise, cluttered spaces, or poor ventilation can quietly contribute to fatigue and stress—while natural light, fresh air, and thoughtful design can support focus, mood, and overall health.

Research underscores these connections: exposure to natural light is known to help regulate circadian rhythms and improve sleep, while poor indoor air quality has been linked to respiratory issues and fatigue (EPA). Emerging evidence also suggests that certain natural scents may help promote relaxation and reduce perceived stress.

“Many people underestimate how much their home environment can impact their energy and stress levels,” says Dr. Yu. “Simple changes—like improving ventilation, reducing noise, introducing calming scents and indoor plants, or increasing access to natural light—can have a meaningful impact.”

Small Environmental Changes That Support Health

The good news is that creating a healthier environment doesn’t always require major changes or financial investment. Small, intentional shifts can have cumulative benefits over time. Consider:

• Spending time outdoors each day, even for short periods
• Choosing walking routes that include parks or green areas
• Incorporating plants and other natural elements into indoor spaces
• Reducing noise and digital distractions at home
• Maximizing natural light in work and living spaces

“These kinds of changes may seem small, but they add up,” notes Dr. Yu. “Our brains and our bodies are constantly responding to our surroundings—often in ways we don’t consciously notice.”

A Broader View of Health

Recognizing the power of place requires us to think about health more broadly. Nutrition, movement, sleep, and medical care matter enormously—but so do the conditions that surround us and shape our choices and experiences every day. A Whole Health approach considers these influences together, recognizing that health is shaped by the interplay between the person, their behaviors, their relationships, and the environments in which they live.

By becoming more aware of these influences—and making small, intentional changes that support movement, rest, calm, and connection—we can create surroundings that better support both physical and mental well-being.

“Sometimes improving health isn’t just about changing ourselves,” says Dr. Yu. “It’s about shaping the environments that shape us.”

This column is provided by Southern California University of Health Sciences, an accredited, nonprofit institution based in Whittier, California. SCU offers online and on-campus programs across a wide range of both conventional and complementary healthcare disciplines and operates a network of community Health Clinics. A leader in Whole Health education, SCU prepares providers to deliver care that considers the whole person—body, mind, and spirit.