Off your rocker!

I have a "thing" for old chairs. It was fortunate that we built the cabin as I had more than a dozen in my basement which have now found a new life there. Some are family heirlooms, passed down through 3 generations. Some are what I bought from an old "Antiques Barn" in southern Indiana. They were painted black and the caning just begged to be redone. I even have an antique wheelchair that, for some odd reason, I completely fell in love with in the junky yard of a farm as I drove through the area. They all have stories and I love giving them a chance to whisper them to people as they sit-a-spell.

Rockers call to me. I wanted to know more about the "why" of the comfort I feel taking a load off with that gentle swaying motion. So, I scurried down that rabbit hole to learn more.

Did you know that the rocking chair was an American invention? I can't find the exact date or who built them but they began to appear in the early to mid 1700s and, by the later years of that century, they were common in most American homes. The 1800s found them immigrating to European countries and beyond. What may have started as a simple addition of curved runners to a ladder-back style chair became a common, comforting addition to many homes and porches.

The 1700-1800s found people realizing the soothing benefits of rocking. Babies could be rocked to sleep, elderly people found the motions soothing, and chores like sewing or snapping green beans weren't as tedious while gently rocking. Sitting on the front porch "of an evenin' " became common with neighbors taking time to catch up with one another. The early 1900s hospitals and psychiatric facilities began using "rocking therapy" to address many physical and emotional ailments. By the 1950s doctors recommended it for patients with chronic back pain as famously used by President John F Kennedy. Research on the "why's" of this phenomena began in the 1990s and continue today. Reduction in anxiety and depression, the need for less pain medications, improved circulation and even better balance are all linked to the use of rocking chairs!

Well, who knew!

But WHY? Why do we react in a positive manner to that rocking motion?

You can thank the vestibular region of your brain. Areas of the inner ear that control balance and spatial orientation react positively (in most cases) to the motion created by rocking.

Rhythmic motions move the body from a sympathetic (stress/alert) response to a parasympathetic (rest/digest) response. It naturally lowers your heart rate, slows breathing and reduces blood pressure. On an emotional level, rocking consistently drops levels of cortisol (the primary stress hormone) and releases feel-good endorphins and oxytocin. It may even clear brain fog, improving mental clarity and focus.

My cabin is now furnished with the glider rocker we gifted my mom so she could rock my kiddos when they were there for a visit.

A Cracker Barrel rocker needed the original woven seat and back redone and now graces a front porch.

An antique, ornate ladder back rocker may need a softer seat but I hate removing that pretty original fabric.

A low slung "sewing" rocker reported to be my great grandmother's will have a comfy pillow added.

A rustic, wooden rocker with woven seat and back came from a friend of a friend's parents.

A simple rocker, abandoned on the street curb on trash day just needs the joints re-glued and the finish waxed.

All of these played a part in comforting many generations. Now they will add to our theme of slowing down, resting a bit and appreciating the simple things in life.

These are the types of history that I like to dig into. Simple, uncomplicated, healthy.

So, in the famous words of David Essex and my generation....

.................ROCK ON my friends!

It'll do you some good.