Have you ever feverishly eaten a pint of ice cream, only to look up from the bowl when you’re done and realize you weren’t even hungry? I can so relate. *sheepish grin* Or perhaps, in an argument your mind goes full lizard brain and slips right into one of the four F’s (flight, fight, freeze or fawn) of stress responses.

Today, we’re going to talk about three decorating tips that can help when you find yourself in one of those spaces . . . head space, that is.

Tip One: Identify where you feel the feels

Sometimes when we’re overwhelmed or stressed out, it can feel like a whirl-wind has overtaken us, and we don’t know where to start. One tip, that can help you begin to calm the storm is to identify where in your body you are feeling an emotion. In understanding where it’s felt, you can begin to listen to your feelings and honor & support yourself around what is happening. For more information on processing negative emotions click here.

Hanging up a visual prompt in your home can aid in helping to find where the feeling is living in the body. Here is an example below which is a spin on the game Operation for a retro look:

 

Tip Two: Smells Good

Did you know that smelling pleasant things can improve pain tolerance and create instant relaxation?  “Sweet tastes reduce pain by activating opioid systems in the brain, and the odor comes to activate the same systems,” says Australian psychologist John Prescott, currently a visiting scholar at Oxford University.” You can also use your sense of smell to deliver instant relaxation, says Pamela Dalton, a sensory psychologist at the Monell Chemical Senses Center, in Philadelphia. Pick a distinctive odor, then pair that aroma with a calming meditation session. After a few sessions, the odor itself will elicit a relaxed state, even when you don’t have time to meditate. (The hidden force of fragrance, 2016)

So, I recommend decorating with candles; in particular, lavender ones since that scent was linked to reducing anxiety and stress by 20 % with patients during MRI procedures. (Allina Healthy System, 2016)

Now, if you want to doubled-up on your stress relief just add humor. Laughter has been scientifically proven to relieve stress. (How laughter can relieve stress + ideas to laugh it off, 2019). WaxOnFire has a host of funny, hand-poured vegan soy candles to enjoy. Check them out for yourself here.

 

 

Tip Three: Walk it off with the Labyrinth . . . no, not David Bowie’s (but yes, David Bowie’s ; ) )

It turns out, “strolling through a labyrinth can help you feel the relaxation response, which is the opposite of the stress “fight or flight” state, says Herbert Benson, MD, founder of the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and author of Relaxation Revolution” (Leland, n.d.)

Depending on your level of interest, here are five ways to do a labyrinth:

One: If you’re strapped for space, a finger labyrinth can be quite relaxing:

Two: Purchase a portable labyrinth rug (but fair warning these can get a bit pricy):

Three: Paint a labyrinth pattern on the floor:

Four: Create a rock labyrinth outdoors:

Five: For the green thumbs among us:

 

In case you were wondering here’s instructions on how to walk a labyrinth:

• Before entering. Consider a contemplative question, prayer, or favorite image to hold in your mind before you step into the labyrinth and begin walking.
• While walking. Just follow the path. As you concentrate on your steps, everything else can melt away.
• Upon reaching the center. Sit or stand with your eyes closed or looking downward. Take three deep breaths, and in silence ask yourself: What am I feeling right now?
• Walking back. Bring to mind again the contemplative question, prayer, or favorite image you began with.

(Leland, n.d.)

Is there a stress relieving tip you find helpful?

Let me know in the comments

 

 

References

5, 4, 3, 2, 1: Countdown to make anxiety blast off. (2020, June 6). Retrieved from Mayo Clinic Health System: https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/5-4-3-2-1-countdown-to-make-anxiety-blast-off

Allina Healthy System. (2016, Sept 8). The effects of lavender aromatherapy on reducing stress and anxiety during MRI procedures. Retrieved from Clinicaltrials.gov: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01809067

Diana Raab, P. (2017, May 23). Are you grounded? Centered? Or both? Retrieved from Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-empowerment-diary/201705/are-you-grounded-centered-or-both

How laughter can relieve stress + ideas to laugh it off. (2019, Nov). Retrieved from University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences: https://www.usa.edu/blog/how-laughter-can-relieve-stress/

Leland, K. (n.d.). Labyrinths: Ancient aid for modern stresses. Retrieved from WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/balance/features/labyrinths-for-modern-stresses#1

The hidden force of fragrance. (2016, June 9). Retrieved from PsychologyToday: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/200711/the-hidden-force-fragrance