These outdoor ads are designed to calm people down during their stressful holiday shopping

As folks in Sydney, Australia, go about their last-minute holiday shopping, they’re getting an unexpected gift of their own—outdoor ads from spiritual organization Brahma Kumaris designed to bring some calmness to the stressful season.

Oblong, a new agency in Australia founded by creative director Justin Ruben, crafted a series of posters with pleasing shapes and instructions for attaining calmness, including simple breathing exercises.

The agency spoke with psychologists and experts in art therapy, along with people at Brahma Kumaris, to make sure the posters give people a sense of calm.

“I think we can all admit, this year has been difficult for a lot of people, with the cost of living crisis and various world events,” said Ruben. “Hopefully these posters can provide people with a little bit of calm, even when they’re running around the streets doing last-minute Christmas shopping.”

“We love the calming shapes created by Oblong and the way they can create a little light for people at this very stressful time,” said Gabrielle Martin, director of programs and events at Brahma Kumaris.

The posters were placed in stressful areas where people need them most, including shopping precincts and parking lots.

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