About the Author

Profiles

Feel Good Articles

Mothering Yourself

Other Sites

Archived Newsletters

Recommendations

Take Five For Comfort
by Sheri McGregor

In early evening, before the sea swallows the sun, I steal a snippet of time to sit in my padded lounge chair under the pecan tree. The bamboo chimes tinkle their hollow comfort. . . . It's my personal relaxation space.

The soothing western wind flutters through the shady canopy of the tree whose ever-widening trunk forces me yearly to cut a bigger hole in the deck. I love that tree, and extend my legs to rest the soles of my feet against its grainy bark. Closing my eyes, I become a part of it, connected to nature and the earth as it sways back and forth in the wind. Maybe the lazy rhythm takes me back to my mother's arms, rocks me into a delicious sense of security. Whatever the reason for the peace of this tree, I'm not giving up my personal "spot." Maybe you should find one too.

Leave your hat at the door ... along with your worries, bills and work. Don’t bring anything related to your job or stress. If you make the mistake of tainting your comfort zone with work, the environment will never quite hold the same relaxation value. By association, your mind will begin remembering all of the things that need doing instead of simply listening to the universe, your body, and how the two are connected to your soul.

Peaceful down time is fuel for the inner spirit. In creating a relaxation space in your home or garden, try a symbolic trigger such as the ritual of tossing your worries over your shoulder or dropping them into a hollow pot as you enter the space.  It’s all about shifting your perception.  

Look to the left for tips on creating your own relaxation zone. Whether a simple lounge chair on the deck, an overstuffed sofa facing a picture of the sea, or a special tree like mine where you can prop your feet, take five minutes to relax--even if that means locking the bathroom door for a quick, stress-banishing shower while you imagine the deafening sounds of a majestic waterfall. . . .

Fast Fact:
Thinking of experiences in nature brings bio- chemical reactions so your body relives the comforting experience as if you're really there. Today, the term "eco-psychology" describes the healing qualities of the earth, the heavens, plants and wildlife when we allow ourselves to appreciate the connection. But a look back at Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Nature" reveals that we don't need the fancy name to appreciate the earth's transforming gifts.

All material on the www.motherswhodream.com website is copyrighted
by Sheri McGregor and may not be reproduced without express permission.

Indoors:
* Include a feel-good painting or poster of nature. Take a few breaths and remember the sensory details of that setting--the cool breeze, the warm sun on your skin, the cry of seagulls overhead.

* Bring in nature by keeping a "peace plant" (Spathiphyllum) nearby. Some say it absorbs electromagnetic energy. The peace plant also clarifies the air, according to NASA's Clean Air Study.

* Install a tabletop fountain. Find one that sounds and looks appealing to you.

At work:
* Make yourself a sign (an index card works fine) that reads "pause," to remind you to take a five-minute relaxation break.

Outdoors:
* If you have room, install seating both in and out of the shade so you don’t need to move a chair around for comfort.

* Try adding a bird bath. Even a small dish of water will attract birds, and reflect the light

* Find a statue that depicts the aura you want the space to exude.