Art Imagery Can Reduce Stress
Art imagery can reduce stress- true or false? Well, the use of art to reduce stress and to heal has been accepted in almost all cultures down through the ages.
Mind you, some of those cultures had very odd ideas about why it worked, but in recent times science has uncovered the real reasons and principles involved that enable the viewing of art imagery to reduce stress levels.
Art Imagery Reduces Stress - Proof If you'd like proof of substance behind the claim art imagery can reduce stress before taking action, then here are some tips for starting your 'due diligence' in the matter: - Do an online search using Art Imagery Reduces Stress (Google results = 282,000 at this writing) - You'll find a lot of good resource sites that explain matters behind imagery and its effects on health and stress levels (*) - You'll quickly discover there is a great deal of hard science and reality behind the abilities of art imagery to reduce stress in your life.
Art Imagery - Seek What Works For You - General Guidelines: Seek out art imagery that induce positive feelings of calm, cheerfulness, peace, cheerfulness, peace, hope and tranquillity, etc.
Avoid imagery that evokes feelings of threat, danger, conflict, sorrow, tension, etc.
Remember, too, that color imagery tends to directly address your emotions whereas black & white imagery mainly touches your intellect.
Cool colors (blues & greens) are calming whereas warm colors (reds & oranges) tend to stimulate and excite.
Imagery of natural subjects usually work best for most people.
-Note: If an image causes you to readily feel happy, relaxed and at ease when you view it, then it qualifies as a stress reducer.
But, if it brings up feelings of sadness, grief, resentment, regret, guilt, anxiety, tension etc then you should pass over such an image.
What is crucially important at this stage is to 'zero in' on the type of images that work for YOU: images that readily and definitely make you feel relief from stress when viewing them.
Don't lose sight of that.
Those are the images to use in reducing your stress.
Images - Where To Find Them - Visit the commercial home/office décor galleries in your area and tell the staff the sort of images and price ranges you have in mind.
They can direct you to appropriate images, either in stock or else available in their publisher catalogues, in price ranges anywhere from poster prints to limited editions to suit your budget.
- Browse online.
Search with terms such as art pictures, scenic art, nature art, etc.
There are innumerable art sites on the web with an almost limitless variety of pictures available in many different media and sizes.
Display The Image - To readily use an image as a stress-reducer, it must be very visible to you.
So, its size will depend on the size of the room you're thinking of putting it in.
A smaller image will suffice in a small room like a den.
A much bigger size will be needed in a large family room, etc.
- You will need to give thought to mounts, mats, frames, fasteners and locations so that the image suits the room, its décor and is adequately secured and protected.
How To Use Imagery To Reduce Your Stress - Time: You need about 15 - 20 minutes of free time at the start of things.
- Comfort: Wear comfortable clothing, be seated in a large comfortable chair.
- Breathing: Take slow deep breaths.
- Relax: Close your eyes, then, starting with your feet, relax your entire body, one part at a time.
- Next, open your eyes and look at your chosen art image with relaxed attentiveness, taking it all in.
- Then close your eyes and imagine the picture in your mind's eye.
- Now use as many of your other senses as you can, in connection with your mental image.
Are there any pleasing sounds to be heard? Quiet, soothing music, gentle natural sounds? What sensations are there? A soft breeze, warmth, refreshing coolness, softness? Any pleasant smells? Perfume, flowers, salt air, etc.
Is there any pleasant motion? Swaying, rocking, etc.
In other words fully immerse yourself.
- Practice: Repeat this process on a regular basis.
Your abilities will improve with practice and eventually you'll get to the point where, at almost any time and place, you can mentally recall the image and completely re-immerse' yourself in it, bringing about a mood of deep relaxation and peace, eliminating any present stress.
But you need to make the time and the effort to practice the process on a regular basis.
And you'll discover, to the benefit of your peace of mind and improved health, that art imagery can, indeed, reduce your stress.
* http://www.
holisticonline.
com/guided-imagery.
htm
Mind you, some of those cultures had very odd ideas about why it worked, but in recent times science has uncovered the real reasons and principles involved that enable the viewing of art imagery to reduce stress levels.
Art Imagery Reduces Stress - Proof If you'd like proof of substance behind the claim art imagery can reduce stress before taking action, then here are some tips for starting your 'due diligence' in the matter: - Do an online search using Art Imagery Reduces Stress (Google results = 282,000 at this writing) - You'll find a lot of good resource sites that explain matters behind imagery and its effects on health and stress levels (*) - You'll quickly discover there is a great deal of hard science and reality behind the abilities of art imagery to reduce stress in your life.
Art Imagery - Seek What Works For You - General Guidelines: Seek out art imagery that induce positive feelings of calm, cheerfulness, peace, cheerfulness, peace, hope and tranquillity, etc.
Avoid imagery that evokes feelings of threat, danger, conflict, sorrow, tension, etc.
Remember, too, that color imagery tends to directly address your emotions whereas black & white imagery mainly touches your intellect.
Cool colors (blues & greens) are calming whereas warm colors (reds & oranges) tend to stimulate and excite.
Imagery of natural subjects usually work best for most people.
-Note: If an image causes you to readily feel happy, relaxed and at ease when you view it, then it qualifies as a stress reducer.
But, if it brings up feelings of sadness, grief, resentment, regret, guilt, anxiety, tension etc then you should pass over such an image.
What is crucially important at this stage is to 'zero in' on the type of images that work for YOU: images that readily and definitely make you feel relief from stress when viewing them.
Don't lose sight of that.
Those are the images to use in reducing your stress.
Images - Where To Find Them - Visit the commercial home/office décor galleries in your area and tell the staff the sort of images and price ranges you have in mind.
They can direct you to appropriate images, either in stock or else available in their publisher catalogues, in price ranges anywhere from poster prints to limited editions to suit your budget.
- Browse online.
Search with terms such as art pictures, scenic art, nature art, etc.
There are innumerable art sites on the web with an almost limitless variety of pictures available in many different media and sizes.
Display The Image - To readily use an image as a stress-reducer, it must be very visible to you.
So, its size will depend on the size of the room you're thinking of putting it in.
A smaller image will suffice in a small room like a den.
A much bigger size will be needed in a large family room, etc.
- You will need to give thought to mounts, mats, frames, fasteners and locations so that the image suits the room, its décor and is adequately secured and protected.
How To Use Imagery To Reduce Your Stress - Time: You need about 15 - 20 minutes of free time at the start of things.
- Comfort: Wear comfortable clothing, be seated in a large comfortable chair.
- Breathing: Take slow deep breaths.
- Relax: Close your eyes, then, starting with your feet, relax your entire body, one part at a time.
- Next, open your eyes and look at your chosen art image with relaxed attentiveness, taking it all in.
- Then close your eyes and imagine the picture in your mind's eye.
- Now use as many of your other senses as you can, in connection with your mental image.
Are there any pleasing sounds to be heard? Quiet, soothing music, gentle natural sounds? What sensations are there? A soft breeze, warmth, refreshing coolness, softness? Any pleasant smells? Perfume, flowers, salt air, etc.
Is there any pleasant motion? Swaying, rocking, etc.
In other words fully immerse yourself.
- Practice: Repeat this process on a regular basis.
Your abilities will improve with practice and eventually you'll get to the point where, at almost any time and place, you can mentally recall the image and completely re-immerse' yourself in it, bringing about a mood of deep relaxation and peace, eliminating any present stress.
But you need to make the time and the effort to practice the process on a regular basis.
And you'll discover, to the benefit of your peace of mind and improved health, that art imagery can, indeed, reduce your stress.
* http://www.
holisticonline.
com/guided-imagery.
htm
Source...