Environments for Relaxation
CREATING THE ENVIRONMENT:
Creating the proper environment is essential to all Relaxation, Visualization, and Guided Imagery exercises. The proper "mood" must be set in order for you to be able to relax as completely as possible.
- If you feel less self-conscious alone, then set up your environment to accomodate only yourself, and no one else.
- If you feel "safer" with someone else in the environment, make sure you accomodate that other person's taste so they are not uncomfortable. You don't want their aggitation to affect your ability to relax.
- Pick a place that is quiet, where you won't be disturbed by telephones, visiting relatives, or pets. Request that family members and friends take your "quiet time" seriously, and not disturb you when you're trying to relax.
- Set up oil infusers, or light incense or scented candles if you are a person who associates relaxation with scents (but maintain a level of safety at all times. You don't want the oil infuser to topple or the candle to burn the nearby lamp shade while you're attempting to relax.)
- Light candles if you're comforted by soft, guttering light. Or turn off all the lights and cover the windows to make the room (if you're in one) as dark as possible, if you're comfortable in total blackness.
- Set the background mood with soft music or "environmental sound effects" (such as birds singing, or a brook trickling). Keep the background noise soft enough so that it's not intrusive, but not so soft that you find yourself "straining" to hear it.
If you've never done this before, initial set ups may be difficult. Don't be discouraged. Tinker with the environment until it "feels" right to YOU. You're attempting to create an environment that is condusive to relaxation but is special and unique enough so that the next time your body and mind are placed in the same environment, they will both be able to associate the environment with good, quiet, calming sensations (and you'll be able to relax more quickly and more deeply).
SOURCES FOR SOUNDS, SCENTS, AND OTHER SUNDRIES
Books that can help set the mood:
- The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook: (1995), Davis, Eschelman
- 30 Scripts for Relaxation Imagery & Inner Healing: (1992) Julie T. Lusk
- How to Meet and Work with Spirit Guides: (1998), Ted Andrews
- The Stress Management Sourcebook: (1997), J. Barton Cunningham
- Animal-Speak, The Spiritual & Magical Powers of Creatures Great and Small: (1998), Ted Andrews
All of the books above are suggested only; you may be able to find one that
"speak" more to you at your local bookstore or through Amazon.com.
See also Sources at BaxZor's Dream Den.
Scents/ Aromatherapy:
You can set the mood with scented candles, perfumes, essential oils, or inscence if you like. Such items are available through many drug stores and specialty shops, or can be purchased through the Drugstore.com.
Sounds & Music:
Pick you own style of relaxing music, or set the scene with background "sound effects" recorded on audio cassette or CD such as the library of sounds available in the "Sounds of Nature","Echoes of Nature" or "Sounds of Relaxation"sets. Here's a SAMPLE.
All libraries are available (as whole sets, or individual recordings) through:
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