Not sure where to start with your gallery wall? A simple cheat sheet for creating a compelling display is this–choose one photograph, one painting, one person or animal and one graphic/geometric print. Play around with placement, and when if feels right, you’re done!
Photo credit: {Domino}
“Losing yourself in a book is the ultimate relaxation,” says Dr. David Lewis, researcher and neuropsychologist at the University of Sussex. In fact, six minutes of reading is all you need to reduce stress by a whopping 68 percent, slowing your heart beat, easing muscle tension and altering the state of mind. And, it works better and faster than other methods to calm frazzled nerves such as listening to music, going for a walk or settling down with a cup of tea.
Dr. Lewis asserts that reading is more than merely a distraction. It actively engages your imagination as the words on the printed page cause you to enter what is essentially an altered state of consciousness. Your mind is living in the story instead of focusing life’s daily stresses.
Now, if diving into the page still keeps your mind racing, then you should definitely try adding bedtime stories to your nighttime ritual. Remember when you were a kid, and you were tucked in bed, and a grown up read to you until your eyelids were too heavy to keep open? That feeling of effortlessly drifting to sleep is so hard for us to experience as adults. With stories, you’re able to clear your mind and ready your body for sleep.
My favorite app for them is Calm. They’ve made such a difference for me, as I tend to (involuntarily) replay scenarios from the day over and over in my head. According to cofounder Alex Tew, their Sleep Stories “are meant to take you back to a simpler mental state and let your brain relax and prepare for a deep rest, just as it did when you were young.” For me, Calm’s stories have been highly effective, because the storytelling is topnotch and the tales have a real narrative.
So here’s to eliminating stress and getting the most restful sleep you’ve ever had.
Via: {Lewis, D. (2009), Galaxy Stress Research, Mindlab International, Sussex University, UK & The Telegraph}
Photo credit: {Apartment Therapy}
I’m so in love with these glass bowls from Mosser.
At family-owned Mosser Glass, they do things the old-fashioned way, making beautiful, handcrafted glass pieces from vintage molds since 1970 (which may explain why the kitchenware often has the look of vintage jadeite or milk glass). Still using original molds and machinery from nearly half a century ago, their multi-colored glass creations have had a cult following for years.
Perfect for mixing and serving, the bowls’ soft, bright green color adds a subtle touch of vintage vibes to your counter or tabletop, while the other color options still look current. Lately I’ve noticed these bowls in some of my favorite magazines and catalogs, mixed with contemporary pieces to give them a modern treatment. The bonus: they’re practical enough for everyday use and are dishwasher safe, too.
Retailing for around $70, these are the perfect pieces to help you forget the winter blues, and brighten up your kitchen for Spring.
Photo credit: {POPSUGAR.}