Feeling Stressed? Use The World Around You To Find Inner Peace!
By Doreen Cook

Screeching sirens. Glaring lights. Foul odors. Is your life a cry from a Zen--like serenity? You’re not alone. We live in a noisy bright and at times, very smelly world. And little jolts to the primary senses –sight, smell, taste, touch and hearing –can add up to BIG-time tension.

We tend to pick up stress all day long through our five senses. Subtle assaults on the senses can cause our stress level to continually mount.

Fortunately, finding relief can be as simple as replacing nerve-jangling stimuli with soothing views, tones, aromas and flavors. Here’s what experts recommend avoiding and adding for tranquility.

SIGHT

The eyes are windows to our world, so it’s only natural that what we see can trigger tension. And not just obvious sights: deep, intense colors, bright lights and disturbing images – whether a violent television show or an upsetting picture can stress your body.

The antidote is to surround your self with cool colors, in particular, sky blue, which has been shown to trigger the release of tranquilizing hormones, soft lighting and nature scenes. Watching clouds blow gently across the sky or looking at a big, leafy tree can have a wonderfully calming effect. Closing your eyes and visualizing it will work too.

Stressors to try and avoid: