Ease Stress by Soothing Your Senses
When a tropical vacation looms out of reach, you may want to try a fretaway (brief getaway at your home or office) that soothes your senses – sight, sound, scent, touch, and taste. A fretaway is a simple practice of easing stress by engaging all five senses simultaneously with tangible objects and media found on your computer or smartphone. It yields exceptionally calming results when you use sensory elements that have research support for easing stress. See suggestions below.
Sight
Nature scene (woods, window with a view, artwork, YouTube video).
Sample Suggestion: YouTube Video of Nature Video of Ocean Waves
Research Support: Nature Video
Sound
Soothing music (Native American flute, Celtic, Classical)
Soothing sound: (Maracas, birds, or ocean)
Sample Suggestions: Native American Flute, Maracas
Research Support: Soothing Sound
Scent
Candle, cologne, or aromatherapy using essential oils like lavender.
Sample Suggestion: Sample of Lavender Oil.
Research Support: Lavender Essential Oil
Touch
Tangible item with a smooth texture (fleece, satin, wood, your pet)
Sample Suggestion: Satin Eye Pillow Adorable Stuffed Puppy
Research Support: Physical Touch
Taste
Your favorite treat (dark chocolate, fruit, calming tea like chamomile).
Sample Suggestion: Healthy Dark Chocolate
Research Support: Dark Chocolate
Of course, you may personalize your fretaway to suit your own tastes. See some ideas below.
Beach Fretaway
Sight: YouTube video or photo of a beach
Sound: Ocean waves or Hawaiian Music
Scent: Coconut Suntan Lotion
Touch: Sand stored in a container with a few seashells.
Taste: Tropical Jelly Beans or fruit salad served in a pineapple half
Christmas Fretaway
Sight: Lighted Christmas Tree and Fireplace
Sound: Favorite Christmas Music
Scent: Gingerbread or Pine Scented Candles
Touch: Plush Santa Stocking
Taste: Homemade Christmas Cookies with Hot Cocoa
Childhood Fretaway
Sight: YouTube video of a Favorite Childhood Place
Sound: Favorite music that was popular that year
Scent: Cotton Candy, Flowers, Koolaid
Touch: Playdough, Finger Paints
Taste: Retro candy from that era
Autumn Fretaway
Sight: YouTube Footage or photo of Fall colors
Sound: Native American Drums
Scent: Burning Leaves
Touch: Black Cat
Taste: Apple Cider, Pumpkin Spiced tea, or Coffee
Memorial Fretaway
(This may bring healing tears as well as calming effects)
Sight: Photos of your dearly departed loved one
Sound: Loved one’s favorite song
Scent: Loved one’s cologne
Touch: Something your loved owned or made
Taste: Loved one’s favorite recipe or treat.
Pet Lover’s Fretaway
Sight: Video of funny pets
Sound: Dog Barking Video
Scent: Bacon Scented Ball
Touch: Stuffed Labrodoodle
Taste: Bacon Flavored Candy
Bon Voyage!
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