Create Your Retreat, Just for You.
Your environment can influence how you feel so it makes sense to try and create one that works for you, not against you. I have written about using colour positively in the office and it’s as important, if not more so, at home in your private place.
Your little oasis of calm might be just a wee corner of your bedroom but try and fill it with things that raise your spirits. It doesn’t matter if others don’t like it, it’s what you find beautiful and relaxing.
Here’s a short guide to some of the theory associated with colour and mood:
- White is associated with purity, can be calming, and enhances available light
- Blue is called a calming colour, which helps you settle
- Yellow is invigorating and warming. It reminds you of the sun
- Green is soothing and harmonising
- Purple is energising and inspirational
- Orange can be welcoming and create a sense of warmth
- Red is hot and powerful, stimulates appetites
- Pink creates a softer effect and is playful
Take a look around your home. You may have chosen colours according to prevailing fashion but that may not have created the mood you want.
Remember also that although you can’t always block out noise, soft furnishings will muffle it and absorb more sound better than sharp, firm surfaces. Thick lined curtains will mute noise more than sharp blinds, for example, carpets better than wooden floors. And lack of fresh air can make you feel lethargic so throwing open the windows for a while can be really energising! Plants also help with oxygen levels.
Do you prefer solitude or company, quiet or music? What is your ideal prefect retreat space?
Are You Colourful Enough?
If you follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn you will probably have heard me talking about my trip to the spa recently. I went with my daughter as my darling family seemed to think I needed a treat and who was I to argue?
It was wonderful, pure and unadulterated relaxation. One of the most relaxing and yet stimulating ‘activities’ (if you can call lying on a couch in a white towelling robe an activity) was also one of the most simple.
It was in a circular room, draped in white fabric tented style with luxurious seating, candles, low lighting and soft birdsong type music. All the senses were indulged. In the centre were four different sized glass columns full of gently bubbling water which changed colour every few minutes. The effect was very gentle and calming yet sitting there I did more thinking about Life and the Universe than I have in ages. It was a great experience for my business as well as for my health.
Colour Your Life
It’s well known that colour can have a great effect on our imaginations and problem solving abilities. Yet I still visit workplaces which are dull and uninspiring, where the dominant colour is battle ship grey. If you work in such a place you are probably not consciously aware of the dulling effect it may have on you.
So try and jazz it up. Introduce some colour into your workplace, maybe with plants, posters, crayons on desks. This is particularly important if you don’t have access to a window and can’t see natural light. In those circumstances orange (sun like) can be a good colour to introduce somehow. Have some fun.
Some companies instinctively do the right thing. For example,I am in discussion with a large organisation looking with some advice for managers in helping staff be more creative, more involved and energised. They have chosen a very stimulating environment for this day and are busy incorporating lots of fun in amongst the serious stuff. I know they will get at least as good results, if not much better, than if they had gone down the standard team day route!
How much colour is there in your life? How could you zest up your life with a little bit of colour and relaxation?
Drawing on Your Thoughts
Next time you find yourself with a bit of a poser, a problem that seems intractable, or a dilemma you just need to think through, try this exercise.
Take a sheet of A4 paper, turn it landscape and, without thinking too much about it, draw/doodle/sketch the issue. Anything goes as long as you don’t start writing words.
Try and do this instinctively without worrying about your artistic skills. Stop after 15 minutes at most, put the drawing in your desk drawer and forget about for a while. Your subconscious will be working away on it in the background and when you look at it again after a few hours there’s a good chance that a solution or helpful thought will have presented itself!
