Very little do we know, that the places we visit or the environment we live in, affects our moods and emotional wellbeing. From busy streets to the pocket of nature, the places can either call us or disturb us. This may vary from individual to individual. The majority of Americans suffer from depression and anxiety. However, the environment and the design of the spaces they inhabit affect greatly them. From the colors of the rooms to the architectural design, from the lighting to the aromas, all of it impacts our moods.
source- healthjourneys.com
You might have observed how many people avoid crowded places or confined places. You might have heard them saying that they feel claustrophobic in such places. They would avoid sitting in closed rooms without windows and low ceilings or feel anxious in the lifts. Whereas, many people do not like loud noises as the constant loud noise can make them feel uncomfortable and create a stressful environment. Uncomfortable temperatures and unpleasant scents can also create stressful surroundings. Let us read more into the facts about such places and how they affect our emotional feelings.
How Architecture Affect our Emotions
According to the age, gender, and ability of a person, different spaces trigger different emotions. Some very good example of the relation that architecture has on our emotions is the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. It does not give you any positive or negative impact as such. But once you go inside, you automatically connect with the history and the deceased. Moreover, you will be able to feel the pain of the people who lost their loved ones on that fateful day. It has been designed in a way that the architecture itself speaks to the audience.
source- timesofisrael.com
The similar examples have been found all over the world. The Memorial to the murdered Jews of Europe or The Holocaust Memorial in Belin, also has the powerful architecture that connects with people. Designed by Peter Eisenman, in the memory of the people who died in the Holocaust during World War II. The memorial area has over two thousand concrete slabs ranging from 0.2 meters to 4.7 meters.
People have different interpretation about it. But, what remains constant is that these concrete slabs depicts the coffins/graves of the people deceased. Some have interpreted this as the rise and fall of the Third Reich. And, as you walk between these concrete slabs, you can see very little of the sunlight. And, this little sunshine depicts the hope that people had at that very time. People have also interpreted the space as a symbolic remembrance of the volatile history of European Jews.
How Religious Places Affect our Emotions
People have experienced a sense of calmness and serenity while visiting religious places, Churches, Temples, or Mosques. The value of religion lies in the therapeutic power it holds. The power it provides us helps to manage our emotions. It provides existential meaning and hope. It helps reduce anxiety and stress and gives strength to fight. Therefore, it fills us with empathy and compassion for others and provides consolation for suffering. Helps you to find inner peace.
Moreover, we go to these religious places as it gives us hope to do something when we cannot do anything. Like, when we are diagnosed with some fatal disease, we go to the doctor. But, when we lose someone very close, we visit these places to grieve. The unbearable and lonely experience can convert into the bearable one. Religious places can act as antidepressants boosting our emotional changes.
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How our Cozy Place Affect our Emotions
We all have a spot in our homes where we like to spend our me-time when we feel low. Where we sit and make our life decisions. Moreover, it could be the place where we sit and think and pour out our emotions. However, it enhances our thought processing capacity. Apart from that cozy corner of your house, your serenity could also be in that favorite spot of your favorite park. Amidst nature, with trees surrounding you and an overlooking view of a lake. Where you have no one to disturb you, and you can find yourself alone with your thoughts. Many people love to visit museums and libraries to elevate their moods and destress themselves.
It provides us a sense of peace. You might have lost someone very dear to you, or you might have gone through a bad breakup. These places help you to relieve some of that pain. Or after a long day at work, you sit in your favorite spot to release some stress. It helps you regulate your emotions and allows you to think clearly. So, you can reach a clear decision.
Therefore, different people react differently in the same surroundings. Some people do not like to go out and socialize. While some cannot sit at home alone. From creating to reducing stress, space affects your mental as well as physical wellbeing. It impacts your behavior and the motivation to act. It helps your thinking process and the way you handle a situation. However, managing emotions is not just about feeling happy and sad. Among these two, comprises several emotions. Thus, different places affect our emotions differently. Most importantly, it helps us regulate our emotions.
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