Take Five for a Good Mood

(publicdomainpictures.net)

Five minutes: that’s all it takes. A study conducted at the University of Essex found that five minutes of activity in the presence of nature (green exercise), such as taking a stroll in the park or gardening, can produce an improvement in mood and self-esteem.

It looks like a little time in nature can bring a big boost.

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Musings in July: Spotting Yellow

• The color yellow fits right in in bright, sunny days. And the best thing is that one can find all shades of yellow all around us. There’s the cool, luminous hue in the middle of a frangipani (plumeria), or the warm, hearty shade of an egg yolk.

• In color psychology, yellow is a cheery, uplifting color. It symbolizes optimism and in small doses, it energizes one’s mood. There are days when we need a mental pick-me-up, and it’s wonderful that this color can  provide this facility so easily.

• It’s interesting to learn that in Native American culture, yellow symbolizes overcoming a challenge through unconditional love.

• Picasso said this about the color: “There are painters who transform the sun to a yellow spot, but there are others who with the help of their art and their intelligence, transform a yellow spot into sun.”

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Need Some Orange…

Last week, I had orange on my mind. I was thinking of ways to update or change the look of my living room with the coming of fall.

I was not quite ready to give up the bright, sunny colors of summer, and I still wanted bright, uplifting hues in my surroundings. Then it occurred to me to add some orange decorative accents or accessories. After all, orange is a color that bridges the hot and cold seasons. It brings to mind the citrus of summer and the leaves of autumn.

Later, over the weekend, I read an article “Haute orange” in the Orange County Register where Cindy McNatt wrote that orange is the “it” color this season. Well, that’s nice to know. She quoted designer Amanda Malson as saying: “Orange is a vibrant color that has less intensity than red or yellow and actually a calming effect. We love using orange with a neutral base and pairing with hues of blue.”

Color psychology, which studies the effect of color on human feelings, moods and behavior, points out that orange can have a positive impact on one’s emotional state. Orange represents warmth, energy, exuberance and excitement. It is said to open up your emotions, and will stimulate activity and socialization.

It is also said that sometimes we are drawn to a color because we want to have the attribute that it represents. The exuberance of orange will be a good attribute to have as the days get shorter and nippier.

An orange item adds zest to a room. (Pic from photos8.com)

I bought this fabric to make cushion covers. I was drawn to its orange accents and the somewhat retro feel.

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Time for the Beach…

A day at the beach not only makes us happy, but can also make us healthy.

Everyone loves a day at the beach: the blue and the coolness of the water, the sea breeze and the relaxation of it all. Now, research is able to spell out its benefits:

• The sounds of the ocean waves crashing against the shore lull us into a kind of hypnotic stage that not only soothes us, but also lowers blood pressure and stress. The sounds of the waves are one of the most calming sounds in all of nature.

• The sea air feels different and it is. Sea air is full of negative ions which increase our ability to absorb oxygen. Negative ions are naturally found in places like the beach, waterfall, the forests and mountains, places that make us feel invigorated with the fresh air. They also help to create higher alertness, prevent allergies and combat depression.

• Many of our lasting memories from childhood and onwards are the discoveries and the happy times associated with the beach. I like this quote from American writer Anne Morrow Lindbergh: “The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach – waiting for a gift from the sea.”

• And don’t worry if you can’t away to the beach any time soon. It is said that just gazing at a photo of a tropical scene can release serotonin, a neurotransmitter that can boost a person’s mood.

Huntington Beach is about 30 minutes away from my place. It's a pretty, cosy beach and the surfers are always there.

This is the view from the chalet at Bintan island, Indonesia.

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