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Stress is on the Rise!
Americans are notorious for having fast-paced, work-driven lives. More than 18% of adults are diagnosed with anxiety disorders each year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health and antidepressants are the #1 prescribed drug category in America. High levels of stress can encourage mood disorders and increase your likelihood of developing health conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease and even cancer! Let go of your daily stress and improve your health, well-being and happiness by creating a space in your home specifically designed to be a daily retreat. Here are some tips you can use to quickly and easily create a personal sanctuary, a room to promote your natural “flow,” in your own home.
Create a Flow Room to Decompress
Professor of psychology, Dr. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi describes the experience he calls “flow” as a state of engagement in which you’re using your talents, optimally challenged, consummately interested, and able to let time melt away. Pick a room in your house (or even a corner of a room, if space is limited) for a little extra TLC and rearrange it to fit your own unique style! You don't have to be an interior designer to make your "flow room." All you have to know is what you like and what increases your sense of well-being! You can establish your own personal room where it’s easy for you relax and unwind. You could play an instrument, practice a beloved hobby, or quietly read a book just to name a few ideas.
Step 1: Beautify Your Room
Organize your flow room, so it’s easy for you to unwind. Place a large table in the middle of the room to accommodate family projects or board games. Put a big, comfortable chair in your room or even just a beanbag. Line the room with books. Lose the clock, TV, computer, or any other gadget that could distract you from your goal of relaxation. Make it the most aesthetically appealing room in the house (with the best light and the nicest furniture), so you’ll naturally be drawn to spend time in it.
Step 2: Personalize Your Room
Customize your room using colors, music and smells that suit your flow mood. Research performed by Dr. Brian Raudenbush, the Department Chair of psychology at Wheeling Jesuit University, shows the smell of lavender is particularly effective at reducing human stress hormones, while peppermint promotes energy and wakefulness. Place a scented candle in your flow room to match your desired energy.
Movies use music to set the stage, using sound for dramatic effect, to increase suspense or even to prolong a goodbye. Play music in your flow room to help you unwind. If you don't play an instrument, you can play soothing music to promote relaxation. Research at Emporia State University shows correlations between listening to classical and pop music with an increase in positive feelings. Playing music that makes you feel good is more important than focusing on a particular type of music. Be creative!
A great deal of research has been done on color’s effect on mood. Painting your flow room yellow will inspire energy and a bright mood. Paint areas for meditation and rest a soothing color to promote relaxation. Japanese hospitals are painted a healing shade of sea-foam green. Green, blue and purple promote relaxation and calmness. These colors may even lower blood pressure, heart rate and breathing rate! If painting sounds like too big of a project, you can hang your favorite pieces of art or photos in your room to make it your own!
Designing a room to promote your “flow” will give you a place to escape from stress and engage your natural talents!
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