Creating Soothing Spaces: How Connie Found Peace Amid the Pressure
Marc LeVine
Empowering Engineers & Advancing Careers | Talent Acquisition Manager, Blogger, Podcast Guest, Conference Speaker | Hiring those Built to Succeed in Control Systems Engineering for Thermo Systems
Summary: Connie's soothing space became more than just a physical area—it became a symbol of taking control over her well-being. By creating a quiet corner to retreat to when stress became overwhelming, she found the space to breathe, reflect, and regain her composure.
Meet Connie: Combatting Stress with Soft Lighting and a Mini Speaker
Connie had always been the problem solver, the go-to engineer when things got tough. Her boss, Martin, often said she was the best on the team—someone who could solve complex control system challenges with ease. But all that responsibility came with a price. As deadlines loomed and expectations piled up, Connie felt the weight of the world on her shoulders.
One morning, after dealing with a particularly tough system failure and a string of emails from vendors pressing for answers, Connie felt her heart race and her mind spin. It was too much. She could feel her stress building to a breaking point.
But she didn’t want to burn out, and she certainly didn’t want to quit. She had a few options: ignore the pressure, keep pushing through, or find a healthier way to cope. That’s when she had an idea: create a soothing space—a quiet place where she could retreat to, recover, and reset her mind.
"It's not stress that kills us, it is our reaction to it." — Hans Selye
It was a Friday afternoon when Connie finally decided to bring it up with her boss.
Connie: “Martin, I need to talk to you about something.”
Martin: “Sure, what’s on your mind, Connie?”
Connie: “I’ve been feeling the pressure a lot lately. I’m trying to keep everything together, but I’m finding it harder to stay focused and calm under all the stress. I was thinking… I might create a small space in the office, somewhere I can retreat to when I need a break—somewhere quiet to reset and clear my mind.”
Martin: “I get it. The workload has been heavier than usual. You’re our go-to person, and I know that comes with a lot of pressure. If it helps, go for it. I’m all for anything that keeps you healthy and productive.”
Connie smiled, feeling a little relieved. She wasn’t used to asking for personal space in the workplace, but Martin’s response was more supportive than she expected.
"Calmness is the cradle of power." — Josiah Gilbert Holland
The next day, Connie started planning her soothing space. She didn’t need a lot of room—just a small area that would be her sanctuary in moments of stress. With a little rearranging, she found a quiet corner near the back of the office. She added a comfortable chair, some soft lighting, and a small table with a vase of fresh flowers. She placed a few of her favorite books and a small Bluetooth speaker for calming music. On the wall, she hung a picture of a peaceful landscape—a reminder of a recent hiking trip.
It wasn’t much, but it was exactly what she needed. A place that was hers, free from the constant demands of emails, calls, and pressure to fix everything at once.
"Stress is not what happens to us. It’s our response to what happens. And response is something we can choose." — Maureen Killoran
A week later, Connie found herself in a high-stakes meeting with her team. A key control system had failed again, and the pressure was mounting. Everyone turned to her, expecting quick solutions. Connie could feel her blood pressure rising.
But instead of diving straight into the problem, she paused, excused herself, and retreated to her soothing space for a few minutes. She took a few deep breaths, closed her eyes, and listened to some calming instrumental music. She reminded herself of the bigger picture: “I’m not a machine. I can’t solve everything in one go.” The soothing space worked—after a few minutes, she felt her heart rate slow, and she could think more clearly.
When she returned to the meeting, she was ready to lead the team with a calm and measured approach. Her mind felt clearer, and she was able to articulate a solution that addressed both the short-term and long-term issues.
"It's not the load that breaks you, it's the way you carry it." — Lou Holtz
Of course, Connie knew that a soothing space wasn’t a complete solution to the pressures of her job. Stress wasn’t something that could be fully “fixed” with a chair and some music. But it helped her manage the pressure in a way that allowed her to perform at her best.
She also made sure to practice other stress-relieving habits: she took regular breaks during the day to walk outside and get fresh air, stayed hydrated, and made time for hobbies outside of work. She even started doing short mindfulness exercises in the mornings to start the day with a clear head.
Reader's Question:
"How can I set up a soothing space in a workplace that’s open-plan and busy? Any tips for making it effective in such an environment?"
Suggested Hashtags for Sharing:
#StressManagement #WorkplaceWellness #SelfCare #MentalHealthAtWork #BurnoutPrevention #Mindfulness #SoothingSpaces #EmployeeWellbeing #Resilience #HealthyWorkHabits
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Marc LeVine is a Syracuse (NY) University graduate with a degree in Industrial Psychology; Marc is currently a Talent Acquisitions Manager at Thermo Systems. He received the Excellence in Talent Acquisitions Award from HR Awards in 2021.
Marc's prior employment includes senior Human Resources and Staffing Industry management roles with Edgewood Properties in Piscataway, NJ; Brickforce Staffing in Edison, NJ; InfoPro Inc. in Woodbridge, NJ and Plainsboro, NJ; and Harvard Industries in Farmingdale, NJ; a former Fortune 500 company. He also served as Director of Human Resources for New Jersey Press, the parent company of the Asbury Park Press, Home News and Tribune, and WKXW-NJ101.5. Earlier in his career, Marc served as Director of Career Services and Placement at Union Technical Institute in Eatontown and Neptune, NJ. In addition, Marc owned and operated Integrity Consulting Associates, a New Jersey-based Human Resources and Social Media Marketing firm, for 11 years. Marc also served as Council President in his Freehold Borough, NJ hometown.
Marc's prior employment includes senior Human Resources and Staffing Industry management roles with Edgewood Properties in Piscataway, NJ; Brickforce Staffing in Edison, NJ; InfoPro Inc. in Woodbridge, NJ and Plainsboro, NJ; and Harvard Industries in Farmingdale, NJ; a former Fortune 500 company. He also served as Director of Human Resources for New Jersey Press, the parent company of the Asbury Park Press, Home News and Tribune, and WKXW-NJ101.5. Earlier in his career, Marc served as Director of Career Services and Placement at Union Technical Institute in Eatontown and Neptune, NJ. In addition, Marc owned and operated Integrity Consulting Associates, a New Jersey-based Human Resources and Social Media Marketing firm, for 11 years. Marc also served as Council President in his Freehold Borough, NJ hometown.
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