The Roanoker - January/February 2021 - 55

Sight

Taste

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as the
saying goes, so what you find beautiful and
calming may not be the same as the next
person, but there are some good guidelines
to follow on how color and clutter affect
our emotions.
There is a strong correlation between
peace of mind and organization, so to
feel soothed instead of frazzled at home
this winter, clear surfaces and shelves of
visual clutter. Once clutter is cleared, add
in beauty, with items like artwork, fresh
greenery and framed photos of favorite
memories. If you are considering repainting
a room, soothing choices are soft blues,
greens and whites. Steer clear of energetic
colors like red if trying for a peaceful vibe.

We all have favorite foods, and many of
them are also locked in favorite memories,
celebrations and people. Comfort foods
are tailor-made for winter, so think about
stocking up on ingredients to make them in
a pinch. Rituals can easily be built around
taste, so consider how you might work an
afternoon tea and treat break into your day.
" Rituals used to sound too formal and
fussy to me, " says Cannon, who has come
around to them as a simple and life-giving.
Hostetler suggests keeping a tea, coffee
or hot chocolate bar stocked for the winter
with items handy for all family members.
" Cinnamon sticks for warm apple cider,
or marshmallows and candy canes to stir
hot chocolate are fun, " she says.

Where to add it...
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Fresh greenery, like a magnolia branch in a jar,
brings the outside in.
Artwork by a favorite painter is an investment,
and a print is budget-friendly.
Reorganize bookshelves with half of its
current contents for a minimalist, calming
feel.

Sound
Recent studies have pointed to a connection
between sound and healing. " Psychology
Today " notes that one promising study
found that an hour-long sound meditation,
primarily using Tibetan singing bowls,
helped people reduce anxiety and
depression and promote a sense of wellbeing. Thankfully you can find sound
meditations easily now, via apps like Calm
and Headspace.
Explore sound, and different music,
and find out what soothes your soul.
Jazz, classical music, opera and recorded
nature sounds can be effective, especially in
conjunction with other rituals, like a bath
or cup of tea.

Where to add it...
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Keep a list on your phone of your favorite
comforting recipes for easy recall.
A cup of tea savored at the same time each
day becomes healing.
A warm breakfast on cold mornings sets the
tone for self-care.

Where to add it...
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A device such as Google Home or Amazon
Alexa are powerful, compact speakers to add
anywhere in your home with a plug, and can
play music on-demand.
Download Calm or Headspace to your phone
or tablet, and commit to a few minutes a day
of sound meditation.
Create a calming playlist for your evenings
at home.

Cannon suggests that sunset and sunrise are
great times for meditation and reflection, and
to create new rituals that ground you, and carry
you through the long winter. I

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JAN/FEB 2021 55
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The Roanoker - January/February 2021

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