Impact of Environment

Principle: The physical and social environment can influence conflict dynamics.

Promise: Optimizing environments can reduce conflict triggers and promote positive interactions.

Playbook:

1. Assess Environmental Stressors: Identify elements in the physical and social environment that may contribute to stress or conflict. This might include overcrowding, noise levels, lack of privacy, or an unwelcoming atmosphere.
2. Enhance Physical Spaces: Make changes to the physical environment to promote calm and reduce stress. This might involve improving lighting, adding comfortable seating, or creating private spaces for residents to retreat.
3. Provide a Supportive Social Atmosphere: Encourage a culture of respect and cooperation. Activities that build community and teamwork can help reduce tensions and build social bonds.
4. Utilize Space Design Effectively: Arrange physical spaces in a way that facilitates positive interactions and reduces opportunities for conflict. Consider the layout of common areas, the positioning of furniture, and the flow of movement.
5. Maintain a Clean and Orderly Environment: Keep spaces clean and organized. A tidy environment can have a calming effect and signal care and respect for the individuals who use the space.

Prompt: Walk through your recovery home and critically assess both the physical and social environments. Identify at least one change that could be made in each area to reduce potential conflict triggers. Plan to implement these changes and evaluate their impact over the next month.