Why a Cozy Corner? Individuals who are agitated, stressed, anxious, hypervigilant, confused, overwhelmed, experiencing dysregulation…all can benefit
from an environment that is designed to :
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Reduce sensory overload through room design and decor that uses and enhances calming sensory stimuli, and also filters
out noise and complex exterior sensory stimuli
Offer sensory based activities that have a calming effect on the nervous system
Offers patients the opportunity to experience moving into a calmer state, to regroup and strengthen their coping skills
and to learn new coping strategies
Patient distress and difficult behavior can have underlying sensory components:
Sensory defensive patient: Sensory defensiveness ranges from mild to severe. Routine sensations trigger defensive,
fight/flight responses, leading to behaviors such as: avoidance and isolation, irritation, intolerance of touch, noise, odors,
clothing textures, foods, etc, explosions of emotion/behavior, tension and anxiety. More specific indicators can be: stiffens
with hugs, needs a lot of personal space, bothered by tags in shirts, noise, bright light, may gag easily with certain foods or
pills, sensitive to odors, fearful of heights. Easily overstimulated in group situations.
Sensory seekers: often have dysregulation of arousal level which can contribute to a strong drive for increased sensation
(just as we may have a strong need to move and increase sensation when sitting in a long, conference in a windowless
room). However, their dysregulation and need for sensation is more exaggerated and ongoing. You may see constant
touching or the need to handle every thing, always in motion, can’t sit down, hyperverbal (hum,sing,talk), fidgeting, likes
noise, loud music, perfumes. These persons often have sleep and attention problems.
Anxious avoider: A person who has anxiety or a high level of stress can become hypervigilant, with heightened levels of
alertness and reactivity to sensation. As a result they are easily startled with increased vulnerability to sensory overload
from noise, activities, too much stimuli happening at once. They tend to be tense, cautious, may be isolative or have low
tolerance for group situations and activities they are not in control of. They may avoid or position on the edge of groups.
Their tolerance and coping skills may break down quickly when they experience sensory overload..
Low arousal (“engine”) level: Persons with low arousal levels can appear lethargic, tired, unmotivated, disinterested with
bland or flat affect. They may move slowly or seem to have weak muscles. Some people who struggle with this have
problems with sensory integration and sensation is not getting registered and integrated effectively—effective sensory
integration is critical to keeping the brain alert, energized, able to organize and initiate action.
COMFORT ROOM INTERVENTION IDEAS
Sensory Defensive and Anxious Avoider: Decrease
stimuli, provide scheduled quiet space/time, Deep
breathing, hand massage, rocking chair/glider,
relaxation music, DVDs, TV channel 52, quiet
repetitive activities, Epsom salt foot soak, gum,
weighted blanket or deep pressure vest (OT),
exercise and Activities of individual’s preference
Sensory Seekers: Provide increased, intense stimuli in an
organized manner, observing responses. . Exercise is very
important , especially graded resistive exercise, movement!
Push-ups, sit-ups, lunges, jumping jacks, yoga poses,
gentle, controlled bouncing seated on ball, Also, big piece of
sour gum, scented lotion, fidget items, ice water, sit ‘n
move cushion, sour candy, sit ‘n move cushion
Low Arousal level: Exercise, controlled bouncing on
therapy ball, yoga, jumping jacks, brain gym exercises,
Sour gum and candy, playing catch, alerting essential
oils, fidget objects, brain gym exercises with head
movement, comedy DVDs
Calming for entire unit:
• Dim lights / lavender oil on cotton balls
• Encourage quiet time in rooms
• Offer journals, coloring pages, cards
• Offer Epsom salts foot soaks
• Pass out gum
• TV on channel 52, no radios on
• Group hand massage instruction/lotion