Creating your own zen space - tips on how to make a peaceful environment
Our outer world reflects our inner world, so if you are living in an unorganised, messy space - it is likely a reflection of your mental state. Me personally, I cannot get on with my tasks for the day if my space isn’t somewhat clean and organised. Especially if you work from home, it can be difficult to work from your bedroom as your brain associates your bed with sleep - leading to procrastination and further pushing you into a stressed mental state…
It is important to have a - what I like to call - “Zen Space” in your home to go to when you feel burnt out, anxious or you just need to find moments of peace. Having this space allows you to seperate your environment into segments, this space being solely used for mindfulness makes it easier to do so. Same as leaving your bed just for sleeping and making use of your desk for working. When we categorise our space - it helps our brain function accordingly.
So here are some tips/ideas on creating your own peaceful space in your home:
1) Lighting sets the mood
If you can, having warmer lighting for your zen space can really help make it a place to wind down and relax. Bright white LED lights can be too harsh on the eyes, especially if you suffer with headaches like me this form of lighting strains the eyes and can overstimulate the senses. When you want to relax the lighting needs to reflect that. Invest in a nice lamp, or if you have LED’s - switch them to a warmer setting. Warm light naturally makes us more tired, so it is ideal to use when we are winding down for bed.
2) Pillows, Pillows, Pillows!
I’m not sure if it’s just me, but I LOVE a nice pillow. If you have a bolster or even a fluffy cushion - having that to hold when you need comfort is incredible. Naturally - humans want to feel physical connection, that’s why we instinctively hug our pillows because it relaxes the muscles and reduces our cortisol levels. So if you are trying to make your space more peaceful - buy a few more pillows! Being comfortable is key to feeling at peace - grab whatever comforts you have to hand, whether it’s a blanket, your childhood teddy or whatever else you like to hold on to. Sometimes our bodies just need to feel safe, and pillows can help us do just that.
3) Essential oils are your best friend
If you don’t have an electric diffuser already, you’re missing out. It is such a great investment for making your home your sanctuary. Plus - it is a great way to introduce essential oils into your life. Oils such as Lavender, Frankincense and Sage are proven to help ground the body and calm the nervous system. Putting your diffuser on when you need to relax can activate the sense of smell which in turn connects you to your body and promotes a sense of calm.
4) Music for the soul
As I mentioned in tip no.3, activating the senses is a great way to connect with your physical body and promote tranquility, therefore listening to music is also a great tool to help you relax. Dependent on what kind of music makes you happy, try to listen to it more! I personally love LoFi music (low fidelity music that is imperfect, does not have the studio quality finish - search LoFi music and I guarantee you will love it!). I listen to it especially when I am feeling overwhelmed or overstimulated. Incorporating more music into your day will help you feel more playful and creative. In turn this will make your space feel safe, making you more calm overall.
5) All you need is you
As much as sometimes we like to distract ourselves with shiny new things - the best resource we have is our mind. Our mind is so powerful and completely controls how we perceive the outer world. If we can work on ourselves and spend time tuning into our thoughts everyday, we will experience greater feelings of peace than any materail object could ever provide for us. If you can, even for five minutes, take yourself away from others and simply be alone. Away from your phone, away from distractions, just you - it can feel daunting and slightly weird. But when we spend time understanding ourselves on a deeper level we can understand our emotions better and learn how to regulate them. You are the most important part of the zen space.
These are just a few tips that help to engage the senses, (touch, hear, smell, sight), and encourage the brain to relax. Your zen space will look and feel unique to you and it should. We all have different things that make us relax and feel safe, so whatever works for you - try to incorporate it into your space. Your space does not need to be big or ‘aesthetic’, and despite how I have suggested a few purchases you can make - it doesn’t have to cost you anything. You don’t need to spend money to relax, sometimes all you need is yourself. So don’t feel pressure to buy anything new just for the sake of it.
