In 2017, surveys undertaken by scientists at the University of Surrey for the National Trust revealed that ‘meaningful places’ played a key role in shaping people’s identity, across all ages; 67% of younger people said their meaningful place has shaped who they are.

Identity moratorium is a period of identity development that occurs after the adolescent stage of identity diffusion and is generally considered the longest period of that development. It is a period of active searching and exploring alternatives to current situations.

Social identity relates to the parts of our identity which we define in our interaction with other people.

The environment can influence peoples’ behavior and motivation to act. The environment can influence mood. For example, the results of several research studies reveal that rooms with bright light, both natural and artificial, can improve health outcomes such as depression, agitation, and sleep.

Personal experience changes behavior. Larger fines lead to greater behavioral effects than smaller fines, and recent experience matters. The influence of experience with a fine decays quickly over time.

Landforms might include physical features like mountains or oceans. If you live in the mountains, you’re likely to develop a particular culture that adapts to life at a high altitude. For example, you might wear heavier clothing and tend to be physically stronger as a result of climbing often.

A Yale-led team of researchers has identified 12 community factors independently related to well-being. Well-being has been associated with longer life expectancy and better health outcomes. Previous studies have also shown that where someone lives can improve or diminish well-being.

Thanks to several new studies, research is showing that where you live does affect your personality, but only to a point. In examining both how people regard relationships and how they function within them, Chopik and Motyl were able to gain some insight into state-based personality trends.

Overall, genetics has more influence than parents do on shaping our personality. Molecular genetics is the study of which genes are associated with which personality traits. The largely unknown environmental influences, known as the nonshared environmental effects, have the largest impact on personality.

So, can moving make you happier? Likely yes, if it comes with general improvements in your living environment, social network, and work-life balance. But it’s far from a cure-all, and you’re unlikely to notice a change in how you feel if your move doesn’t offer more than just a superficial change in scenery.

There is indeed evidence in psychology suggesting that being exposed to green, natural environments improves mental well-being. Mechanisms include a reduction in stress, a rise in positive emotions, cognitive restoration, and positive effects on self-regulation.