The Spaces We Live In: Why Holistic Living Begins with Our Environment

Dr. Maymunah Yusuf Kadiri

February 17, 2026

John never thought much about where he lived. Like many people, he assumed that if he exercised regularly, ate reasonably well, and showed up for work, his health would take care of itself. But slowly, something began to change. He became unusually tired during his runs. Headaches became frequent. Concentration felt harder. What he dismissed as stress turned out to be something far more revealing, his environment was quietly making him unwell.

John’s story is not rare. It is simply under-recognised. Holistic living asks us to look beyond habits and genetics and examine the spaces that hold our daily lives. Our environment is not neutral. It is either nourishing us or slowly draining us.

Holistic living begins with understanding that health does not exist in isolation. It is shaped by the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we consume, and the places where we work, rest, and recover. Long before symptoms become visible, the body responds to its surroundings. And when those surroundings are compromised, health quietly pays the price.

The Air We Breathe, The Life We Live

Air pollution remains one of the most underestimated threats to personal wellbeing. From industrial emissions to traffic fumes and even indoor pollutants, poor air quality affects respiratory health, cardiovascular function, and cognitive clarity. Chronic exposure has been linked to asthma, bronchitis, reduced concentration, fatigue, and long-term lung disease.

In urban environments especially, polluted air does not simply affect the lungs, it strains the entire body. The brain works harder. Sleep becomes lighter. Stress hormones remain elevated. Over time, this creates a body that is constantly compensating.

Water, Food, and Invisible Exposure

Water contamination is another silent disruptor of health. Pollutants from industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and aging infrastructure can introduce harmful substances into drinking water. These exposures often manifest as recurrent illnesses, digestive disturbances, fatigue, or headaches before they are ever identified.

The same applies to food. Modern agriculture relies heavily on chemicals that may improve yield but compromise health. Over time, repeated exposure to pesticides and additives affects hormonal balance, immune response, and overall vitality. Holistic living invites us to be more intentional—not obsessive, but informed—about what enters our bodies.

The Places We Live and Work

Our homes and workplaces are extensions of our nervous systems. Poor ventilation, overcrowding, excessive noise, and exposure to chemicals or dust increase both physical and mental strain. Work environments that demand constant alertness without adequate recovery quietly accelerate burnout.

A healthy environment is not about perfection. It is about creating spaces that allow the body to regulate, the mind to focus, and emotions to settle. When this is missing, people often blame themselves for symptoms that are environmental in origin.

Mental Health Lives in Our Environment Too

Holistic living recognises that mental wellbeing is deeply environmental. Cluttered spaces increase anxiety. Constant noise heightens irritability. Lack of natural light disrupts mood and sleep. Conversely, simple environmental shifts can produce powerful mental health benefits.

Decluttering creates mental space. Introducing plants or natural light restores calm. Warm lighting, soft textures, and quiet corners signal safety to the nervous system. Even reducing screen exposure, particularly at night, can significantly improve sleep and emotional balance.

Small Changes, Meaningful Impact

Holistic living does not require dramatic relocation or expensive upgrades. It begins with awareness and small, consistent actions:

– Improve ventilation where possible
– Filter drinking water if needed
– Spend regular time outdoors
– Create screen-free moments
– Introduce mindful practices like breathing, meditation, or gentle movement

These adjustments may appear simple, but their cumulative effect is profound.

Our environment shapes our health long before illness announces itself. When we care for our surroundings, we are not being indulgent—we are being preventive.

Holistic living asks a simple but powerful question: does this space support my wellbeing? When the answer is no, it is not a personal failure. It is a signal to adjust.

By protecting our environment, at home, at work, and in our communities, we protect our bodies and minds. Health does not begin in the hospital. It begins in the spaces we inhabit every day.

Dr. MAYMUNAH YUSUF KADIRI (aka DR. MAY) popularly referred to as “The Celebrity Shrink,” is a multiple award winning Mental Health Physician, Advocate & Coach. She is the convener of “The Mental Health Conference” and the Medical Director and Psychiatrist-In-Chief at Pinnacle Medical Services, Dr. Kadiri is a dynamic Consultant Neuro-Psychiatrist and a Fellow of the National Post Graduate Medical College of Nigeria (FMCPsych) with almost 20 years’ experience as a practicing Physician.