5 Tips for Breathing Space
Need some breathing space to combat all the stress?
Check out these 5 easy creativity-mindfulness tips that will give you some room to breathe.
My big question: how might we harness creativity, mindfulness, and neuroscience to create and protect some breathing space?
#1 Become your own ringmaster of space and balance
I just love how Alexander Calder played with space and balance. Before the widely known mobiles, the young engineer-turned-artist created and performed his toy-like circus with his whimsical wire and cloth troupe.
Check out these Calder prints (1964) based on much earlier pen and ink drawings (1931). Calder magically choreographed his fluid, wire-like lines on paper to conjure circus space, balance, time, and suspense.
Compare the two drawings. In which drawing are you more likely to hold your breath? Why might that be?
Notice Calder's placement of the performers in relationship to the circus environment. How did he use space and balance differently in the two works?
#2 Open Your Eyes, They Knotice*
Our eyes (and brains) are conditioned to “knotice.” No, it’s not a typo. Knotice is my word for the way our eyes notice and our brains know when something is “just right” as well as when things seem “off.”
Check out "Sacrilege in Helvetica Bold," 2012, by ad agency guru Shahir Zag. What do you knotice?
Yup, our eyes/brains expect text to have uniform formatting that follows certain rules of typography.
Knotice how you react to this graphic.
Are there certain words or phrases your eyes keep trying to "correct"?
(If you’re a graphic designer, I'm sorry!)
Now comparing these slightly cheeky social distancing signs I've come across (left to right: Brooklands Museum, England; Colonial Williamsburg, VA; Sidney, Australia).
Which sign uses a real-world unit of measurement to reinforce what 6 feet/1.5 meters actually looks and feels like?
Which sign does not demonstrate safe social distancing? (Need a hint? Click here.)
#3 Embrace your built-in social distancing tools
Did you know you can measure 6 feet with your body?
Your arm span—with arms outstretched, fingertip-to-fingertip—is about the same as your height. So if you are 6 feet tall, you have a 6 feet arm span.
Stretch your arms out to experience your arm span.
Check out, “Keep A Distance of Two Arms: Intuitive Social Distancing Advice” for tips from ancient Incas, Egyptians, and medieval Irish on using the human body for measurement.
#4 Make Conscious Breathing Your Anchor
Mull this wise quote from Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh, “I make conscious breathing my anchor.” Becoming aware of your breath. The flow of your inhale and your exhale can ground you in our tumultuous times.
Psst, This is mindfulness at it’s best and most basic!
#5 Choreograph and Celebrate Space
I love this image from the Canadian firm, Daily tous les jours. It has so many layers, from the powerful message to the visually striking empty, socially-distanced space waiting for something positive.
New York Times dance critic, Gia Kourlas wrote,
“Social distancing isn’t just about honoring space; it’s also about celebrating it.”
Check out her article, “How We Use Our Bodies to Navigate a Pandemic,” for tips to choreograph your socially-distanced experiences.
Great job! If you’re reading this, you have explored all 5 tips for finding some breathing space!
