Creating Positive Environments for Home and Office

From the office cubicle to the executive penthouse suite and from apartments to mansions, people are trying to carve out spaces to call their own. Outside, the world may be a stressful place but inside these spaces, people strive to create positive environments where they can live and work happily and peacefully. It may seem like a fairy tale to some. However, for others, it is a way to survive many of the negative effects of stressful living.

In the book, Future Shock, Alvin Toffler prophesized that the speed at which technology would develop and be introduced would in the end overwhelm many people. He foretold a future where human's inability to keep up would cause stress and depression. Here we are over twenty years later and his words have come to pass. Even greeting card companies study the trends and in Karen Moore's book, You Can Write Creating Cards she cites these trends forecasted by lifestyle trend researchers that people would:

-make their homes more comfortable places in order to avoid the outside world.

-buy affordable little luxuries for themselves or for their homes.

-seek broader awareness of spiritual things.

-desire to be seen as unique and special.

-feel somewhat overwhelmed by responsibilities.

-like alternative medicines and holistic health.

-question belief systems of previous generations.

-be genuinely interested in caring for the environment.

So, how would one describe a positive place? Appealing? Attractive? Humans are complex beings, even if they cannot keep up with nanotechnology and super computers. For an environment to feel positive or attractive, it needs to be appealing to the senses, particularly - sight, sound, smell, or touch. The more senses that are stimulated simultaneously, the more appealing, attractive, and positive the situation is perceived. Any thing that detracts from that perception is usually judged as negative, instead.

Although some architects, space planners, interior designers, and Feng Shui consultants have been addressing the issue of creating positive environments over the past years, most of the general public is just beginning to investigate the possibilities. Ways to turn up the 'positivity' of a space, that appeal to one or more senses at time, might include:

-a fountain made of various materials.(sight-sound-touch)

-a contemporary, mixed media painting or sculpture.

(sight-touch-smell, if oil paints are used)

-chimes or bells.(sight, sound, touch)

-incense, potpourri, and aromatherapy.(smell, sight,touch)

-Instruments.(sight-touch-sound)

-Plants and flowers. (sight, touch, smell)

Situations perceived by the brain as positive gives people a sense of well-being and happiness. When in this state, sometimes called euphoria, the domino effect occurs.

-People become open to more positive stimuli.

-Concentration and performance improves.

-Self-confidence and self-assurance soars.

-Creativity blossoms.

-Handling stress becomes easier.

In today's environment, more and more people will be searching for ways to reduce stress. By creating positive environments, they will be able to do that no matter where they live or work. In doing so, how they live and work will be better, too.

Copyright 2005 Kathy Iwanowski. All Rights Reserved.

Kathy Iwanowski, a former cancer nurse and manager, creates art, speaks, and writes about creative living and work. Her articles, editorials, and reviews on art, business, creativity, and nursing subjects have been published in newsletters, ezines, and books in the United States.

To arrange for Kathy as a speaker for your next event or to find out more about her work, visit her website at http://www.kathyiwanowski.com

---

How to Buy Discount Roman Shades

Roman shades adorn windows to block the sun or to... Read More

Home Decorating: Planning Lightning

When you are choosing a bathroom light fixtures or lightning... Read More

Tribal Persian Rugs

Tribal or nomadic rugs are produced by nomadic and semi-nomadic... Read More

Childrens Furniture

Children's bedroom furniture and nursery furniture can help turn a... Read More

Interior Decorating and Home Decor With Inuit Art from the Arctic North

In order to help give a room a classier touch,... Read More

Simplicity with Your Home Wall Decor

I can still picture my roommate as she lay stretched... Read More

The Cost of Granite Countertops

The beauty, hardness and utility of granite makes it a... Read More

A Place For Everything In Your Home

Are there homeless items living in your home? If you're... Read More

Decorating With Room Dividers

Room dividers can be both decorative and practical. They can... Read More

Decorating a Guest Bedroom - Get Out of your Own Way

Decorating a Guest BedroomThe guest bedroom is the one room... Read More

Furniture Bench - The Many Varieties & Uses For One In Your Home

Furniture benches are benches that can be used indoors and... Read More

Add Beauty and Elegance to Your home with Oriental Rugs

Oriental rugs can be purchased in a great variety of... Read More

Decorating with Table Fountains

With unlimited possibilities available, table top fountains can add understated... Read More

Decorating With Art

A Little Savvy with Framed Art Prints and Photographs Can... Read More

Decorating a Kids Room

The most important thing to consider when decorating a child's... Read More

Buying Down Alternative Comforters

When the frigid winds of winter arrive, many people turn... Read More

Finding a Color Scheme - Decorating with What you Have

If you feel helpless when it comes to picking and... Read More

Add A Splash Of Color To Your Bathroom With A New Shower Curtain!

If your bathroom is looking a bit tired, but you... Read More

An Upholstered Bench To Incorporate Style and Function

How do you envision your dream home? Is it rich... Read More

?Too Much Stuff? Syndrome or How Decorating and Organizing Can Help Your Sanity

This area of home life is different from others in... Read More

How to Choose a Sofa for a Family with Kids

If you have children in your home, what sort of... Read More

A Look at Wooden Bunk Beds

Wooden bunk beds are a very popular type of bunk... Read More

Area Rugs - Accent Your Rooms with Area Rugs

One of the easiest ways to accent and decorate your... Read More

Where to Find a Cheap Adjustable Bed

Adjustable beds are no doubt very expensive. But the benefits... Read More

Contemporary Bathroom Vanities

Minimal, linear, often metallic and futuristic, contemporary bathroom vanities come... Read More

A Look at Cuckoo Clock Movement

The inside mechanics of cuckoo clocks maintain virtually the same... Read More

Choosing Bathroom Vanity Lights

The basic bathroom vanity includes a mirror or medicine cabinet... Read More

Dont Just Clean, Organize

Instead of cleaning, decorateTrying to maintain both a beautiful interior,... Read More

Corner Bakers Rack: Create Extra Storage Space and Style

One of the most highly sought after pieces of furnishings... Read More

The Benefits of Owning an Ionic Air Purifier

Ionic air purifiers are not filter systems. Ionic air purifiers... Read More

How to Choose Bed Sheets Effectively

Buying sheets is not as easy as it used to... Read More

Getting a Grandfather Clock at a Discount

Whether it is a basic bong-bong-bong or a thrilling symphony,... Read More

Why Silk Plants Instead Of The Real Thing?

Should I buy silk plants and flowers for my home... Read More