Dress to De-Stress

Stress is a part of our daily lives causing us to search for ways to reduce and relieve stress. How often do we think about how our clothing impacts our stress levels in every situation, meeting or presentation?

We understand that clothes say a lot about us and are a vital component of creating that all-important first impression. However, what about the impact of what we wear on how we feel? And how do we balance dressing powerfully with comfort?

Tip 1: Adjust colour to mood
The Irlen Institute's experiments with colour tinted lenses indicates that colour changes can increase or decrease stress. This means we can affect our own and others energy. Decide on your 'colour mood'. Do you want to energise yourself with passionate red or do you crave the harmony of a cool blue? Intensity is another consideration, the 'brighter' the colour, the greater the energy. If you work in an industry that applies a formal dress-code, consider adding a portion of your 'colour mood' to your dark suit.

Tip 2: Ensure that the cut and style allows breathing
For us to de-stress, our bodies have to be allowed to soften, widen and spread. To be able to breathe optimally, we need to be able to expand the body in all three dimensions. When clothing is too tight, a belt too small, a collar too narrow, a waist-coat too snug, the message that the body perceives is that of constriction. When we are stressed or full of fear, our bodies organically narrow, retreat and brace. When constricting optimal breath, the brain receives a message that there may be on-coming danger and produces the stress response. We can prevent this by making sure that clothes fit well, but that there is still space for deep three-dimensional inhalation, an expansive yawn and easy swallowing.

Tip 3: Wear shoes that support you
Shoes are extremely important in creating or alleviating stress in the body. High heels or narrow points affect our relationship with gravity. For ideal balance we need stability and mobility through the three-point weight distribution (the heel and across the balls of the feet). High heels and narrowness at the toes can affect this stability system. This sends the message to the body to engages all the muscles to keep the body upright, causing fatigue and stress. High heels also throw the pelvis forward and affect optimal breath. At the least, when buying that perfect pair of shoes, ensure that the ball of the foot can spread in the shoe to access two-point weight distribution. If this is not possible, ensure that you wear those shoes only for as long as is necessary.

Tip 4: Take time to recuperate
Does this then mean that I should go to work in a tracksuit and running shoes? Please not! The secret lies in the balance between exertion and recuperation. It is important to know when we must 'dress up' and when we can dress 'down'. When we are in a situation where we have to 'dress to impress', we have to make sure that our clothes fit well and make the impression we need to. Then, we need to take time to recuperate and pull those comfortable pumps out of the bag, allow your feet to breathe and ensure space within your clothes to expand.

by Karina Lemmer and Dr Marth Munro

Source: The Image Excellence Group

Tags