SENSE

Indulging the Senses for Focus by Megan Murphy

We’ve been talking about how sound can help to destress and inspire you while working(or in your everyday life) but there’s something to be said about indulging your other senses too. 

This is a blog to continue our discussion on mental health and creating a positive atmosphere in your workspace. 

So, I hope you’ve got your positive music playing! Now let’s design a workspace and atmosphere that’s both serene and focused.

Sense of Perception 

Image credit: Healthline

Color Theory is a diverse and broad topic that people have studied for decades, but let’s look at a few basic concepts to help improve your mood. 

Green is the first color that comes to mind when thinking of a serene space. Green has been known to reduce anxiety and soothe the mind. I’d suggest a cool-hued tone like Mint to really put you in the right mindset . Try finding plants this color or paint a wall nearest you to feel the effects!

Pink is a soft, tranquil color that could inspire calm effects. Try painting a photo frame pink or finding pink trinkets to line your desk with!

Or, instead of just pink, another idea could be coral. The summer-y, passionate tone combines orange and pink making for an inspiring but collected feeling. 

On that note, if you’re looking for creativity and invigoration, try shades of Orange to give a pop of color and energy. Perhaps use this sparingly like the pink, to offer a quick snap of energy against a calmer color like green or blue. 

Blue and Orange are complementary colors, so if you can find a way to combine them, it would be easy on your eyes!

Remember to incorporate shades of color that do not cause eye strain. Anything too bright, or distracting, such as too many colors in one place, may do more harm than good.

Sense of Smell 

Did you know that 75% of your emotions are generated every day based on smells?

Image Credit: Huffpost

Try burning a candle with these scents (bonus points if the wax is a color listed above) or dabbing some essential oils on pressure points. Oil and wax burners are also an option if you’re working from home. But, be careful with essential oils if your furry friends are nearby. Some oils can be dangerous for pets to touch or smell. Make sure you look into each one before using it!

Calm Scents

• Lavender
• Lemon
• Jasmine

Focus Scents

• Rosemary
• Cinnamon
• Vetiver

Energy Scents

• Peppermint
• Orange
• Eucalyptus

Sense of Sight

This can be a “no-brainer.” Simply put, you do your best work in a clean, organized, and well-lit space. For example, you know not to set up your “office” in front of the TV or to get your laundry basket out of the living room, if it’ll distract you. 

And, if you’re lucky enough to have a home office, try to decorate it with items or art that inspire you. Maybe that means your kid’s photos or a photo from your last vacation? It might be a copy of the book that inspired you to start your own business or a piece of art that makes you feel energized…whatever it is, making improvements in your surroundings will be conducive to a better day “in the office” when you’re surrounded by visuals, scents, and colors that can create a space for you to do your best work. 

We hope that these recent blog posts help make your working days feel less like work and more like play. Now, let’s get to work!