Grounding Space

The final concept for the memory architecture project that I created is to design a space where patients at Baycrest, as well as general visitors to the space can rest and re-group their thoughts. The current location of the "Grounding Space" is at Art Metropole on the second floor of the building.

Through research into memory loss, I found that there is a positive correlation between cognitive memory loss and anxiety. When people forget the tasks that they had planned to do, anxiety increases because the person feels overwhelmed with the fact that they do not know what they have to do, and where they need to go, therefore feeling like they are "floating" out of their body and disconnected to the present reality. This is also known as dissociation. In order to cope, or to feel re-connected to present reality, it is helpful to practice grounding techniques, in a safe place like the "Grounding Space" in Second Life.

Some grounding techniques include: (from http://www.mosaicminds.org/safe-ground-new.shtml#list)

• Breathe - slow and deep, like blowing up a balloon.
  
  
• Take your shoes off and rub your feet on the ground.
  
  
• Open your eyes and look around. See you are in a different place than then.
  
  
• Move around. Feel your body. Stretch out your arms, hands, fingers.
  
  
• Peel an orange or a lemon. Notice the smell. Take a bite. Focus on the taste.
  
  
• Pet your cat, dog or rabbit.
  
  
• Spray yourself with favorite perfume.
  
  
• Eat ice cream! Or any favorite food. Pay attention to the taste.
  
  
• Repeat "this is now, not then"
  
  
• Go for a walk. Feel the sunshine (or rain, or snow!)
  
  
• Count nice things.
  
  
• Dig in the dirt in your garden.
  
  
• Turn lights on.
  
  
• Play your favorite music.
  
  
• Hug a tree!
  
  
• Touch things around you.
  

This list comes from "mosaic mind," which is mainly trauma-focused, but it is also about being mindful. Many of the items on the list have practical applications on Second Life, like putting feet on the ground/or floor, playing music. Some of the sensory applications like smell and taste can be mimicked virtually on second life, and at the same time, the participant can actually practice the grounding in real life. I think "Grounding Space" should be a mobile project, so that it can be moved between islands on Second Life, or for other practitioners to be able to buy the project to use in their work with patients as well.

I have approached this project on an emotional level, but it also addresses issues of physicality of emotions and feeling whole in your space. I had some challenges creating my Avatar, but I am happy with the concept and will continue to build on the project. Next year, I plan on incorporating Second Life into my thesis to research and produce applications in Second Life for trauma patients and to create healing environments in Second Life where the patients can create art as a form of therapy. This is also my interest for Grad School, so I am looking forward to exploring the project further to support my portfolio and research presentation at Concordia for the Art Therapy program.