Q I believe that the environment that I live and work in creates stress for me. Can you tell me ways that I can de-stress these environments?
A The environment that we live and work in can either create stress or relaxation. It depends on what we do with those environments. In fact, our environment is one of three primary stress categories. The other two are social and physiological stressors. Here are some tips on how to de-stress your work and home environment:
De-clutter: The more clutter that exists in your home, the more stressful it can be. I recommend the six-month rule. If you haven’t used something in the last six months, eBay it, give it to a charity, friend or family member. I believe in Feng Shui, and have used it effectively in my own home. Feng Shui opens up the energy and creates spaciousness.
Comfortable Furniture: I recommend finding furniture that is ergonomically correct. If you sit in a chair and find that it puts a strain on your back or your neck, get rid of it. Replace it with furniture that works for your entire body.
LightinG: Bad lighting can cause eye strain. It is important to create the best possible lighting in your home and office. Even fluorescent lights can create a subtle yet stressful effect on the eyes. Halogen light and full spectrum light are the more relaxing forms of lighting.
ColorS: Sometimes colors can be subtle, yet stress-inducing. Earth tones, greens and blues are the most soothing colors.
Scents: At home, you may want to consider incense or aromatherapy such as green apple or lavender which are the most soothing. At work, scents such as heavy perfumes can sometimes be distracting and stress-inducing. You may want to consider recommending an aroma-free work environment.
Some interesting information about scents: For those born between 1900-1930, natural smells such as trees, hay, horse and pine are most relaxing. If you were born between 1930-present, the smell of Play-doh, Pez and Sweet Tarts will relax you. If you were born in the Eastern United States, the smell of flowers will relax you. If you were born in the Midwest, you will find the smell of farm animals soothing. If you were born in the West, you will find the smell of meat barbecuing soothing, and if you were born in the South, you will find the smell of fresh air soothing.
Poor ventilatioN: Though subtle, poor ventilation can be stress-inducing. It can also cause headaches. Try to bring as much natural air into an office or home.
NoisE: Various types of noise, such as constant ringing phones, sounds of traffic, can be very stressful. Are there ways to reduce the noise in your home or work environment? White noise can be a way to mask unpleasant noises and actually induce relaxation.
Temperature: Extremes in temperature can be stress inducing. If someone in your home or office likes the environment either too hot or too cold, it may be important to find a happy-medium temperature that is more midrange.
MusiC: At home, choose music without lyrics and no emotional baggage.
Decorate your home or office with uplifting, empowering and positive objects. What gives you positive feelings when you look at them? I personally love stained glass and find that by adding these objects in my environment it uplifts the area for me. What uplifts you?
Add family pictures or pets in your office to help create a more relaxed and pleasant feeling.
Take breaks during your day. Dr. Stephen Rechstaffen, who wrote Time Shifting talks about creating personal pause buttons. Instead of answering your phone on the first ring, he suggests answering it on the second ring. Use the first ring to take a deep breath in. At lunch time, take a walk in nature. If you take a walk with a workmate, don’t talk business; it keeps you in stress mode. When you get home, shift yourself out of work mode; take a bath or do something nurturing for yourself.
Try to reduce your stressors one at a time.
Robert Lawrence Friedman, MA, is a psychotherapist, coach, author and recognized leader in the field of stress management. He is the president of Stress Solutions, Inc. a corporation that has provided stress management programs to corporations and health care institutions for the past 21 years. He has appeared on Discovery Health Channel, CNBC, Today in New York on NBC, Fox News and others; he has been interviewed by the Washington Times and Cosmopolitan magazine, among others. He is the director of the Queens College Corporate Stress Management Training Program (www.qc.edu). He has recently created five DVDs of his stress management workshops, as well as a relaxation guided imagery CD which you can find at www.stress-solutions.com or by calling 212-229-7779.
