Personal wellness takes outside-in approach Published March 2, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Heather Heiney 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Editor's note: This is the ninth in a series of articles about personal wellness. Environmental wellness can be dissected into three segments -- relation to immediate surroundings, preserving resources and interacting with nature. There's a delicate interplay between persons and their environment; it's as much a part of who they are as their body or spirit. If a person's environment is in disorder or uninviting, it can cause elevated stress levels. Conversely if a person is under an elevated amount of strain their environment may become muddled. Some ways to restore balance in work and home environments are: Clean -- Not only does cleaning allow people time to think and exert their muscles, when they are done the space will be more organized which reduces the frustration of trying to find things. Personalize --A space that reflects someone's personality and interests can be more inviting than white walls. Hanging photographs or paintings, bringing in plants or cut flowers and displaying collections are both visually appealing and can make a person feel at home. Add comfort -- If people are physically uncomfortable, they're more likely to be uneasy. Pillows, blankets and cushions are easy and fairly inexpensive ways to add comfort to a room. These days, resources are limited. There's more to do with less time and money and the environment itself is being stretched thin. Some ways to help the environment and preserve personal resources include recycling, driving less or carpooling and conserving water and energy. Adrian Barcomb, base resource efficiency manager, suggested nine ways to conserve resources -- turn off lights, use natural light when possible, use energy-saving bulbs, turn off computers, use energy efficient power strips, turn off devices like TVs and video game consoles when not in use, unplug chargers and appliances, take short showers instead of long showers or baths and keep the thermostat at 68 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees in the summer. Saving resources also helps ensure that nature is preserved for current and future generations to enjoy. Interacting with nature can be refreshing because it allows the opportunity to take a step back from everyday life. The physical benefits of Vitamin D from sunlight and exercise go along with just about every outdoor activity. Wayne Fortier, a recreation aide at Keesler's marina, said, "By being outdoors, you breathe the fresh air, get some sun on your face and have a chance to just enjoy the day and things around you." The options for getting outside are so varied that there's something for all ages, abilities and interests. Mississippi offers a landscape of beaches, lakes, rivers and dense forest along with a climate that makes outdoor activity possible almost year round. Keesler's outdoor recreation center and marina park offer a wide variety of options including kayaking, canoeing, paddle boats, volleyball courts, a disk golf course, a sailing program, two base swimming pools, camping equipment, pavilions, picnic areas, bike rentals, and much more. For a complete list, visit http://www.keeslerservices.us/OR2.html, call 377-3160 or drop by outdoor recreation. It's open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. Everyone can reap the physical and emotional benefits of sunlight, a fresh breeze, beautiful landscapes and exercise; all they have to do is take that step outside their four walls. Environmental wellness is just as pivotal to a fulfilling life as any other aspect of wellness, and needs just as much care and work. If people take the time to care for their surroundings, conserve resources and interact with the environment, the other aspects of wellness become just a little bit easier to maintain.