Focus and calm are touchstones of meditation. But, for many, finding a calm, quiet spot to meditate can be tough. Fortunately, you don’t need to go to an expensive yoga studio to find that perfect zen zone. With a couple of items and a bit of redesign, you can create a meditation space in the comfort of your own home.
Why Meditate?
There are many reasons to make meditation a part of your life. It’s relaxing, you can do it anywhere, and it’s free. More importantly, though, there are all sorts of health benefits associated with daily meditation and thoughtfulness. Here are just a few of the key features:
- A few minutes of mindfulness meditation each day has been shown to help ease stress and anxiety.1
- Meditation is linked to a boost in mood.2
- Research suggests routine meditation might support overall well-being and social interaction.3
- Calming your mind might help promote better sleep quality.4
That’s a lot of potential perks for just a few minutes of focus. But, as anyone who meditates knows, sticking to a regular meditation routine can be challenging. Creating a separate space at home might be exactly what you need to make things easier.
The Benefits Of A Separate Meditation Space
A meditation room or space can be so helpful. It gives you a designated spot to spend your moments of focus whenever you’re home.
Athletes train in gyms. Artists work in studios. So, it only makes sense that you meditate in a specific yoga or meditation space. A room with a purpose can help guide and facilitate your mental exercises.
Of course, in theory, you can meditate anywhere. But, keep in mind that your mood and focus may be influenced by the space and place you occupy.5 If you have a comfortable and quiet zone that is free of distractions you may find it easier to accomplish your meditation goals.
What Works Best For Your Meditation?
Before you design your perfect meditation room, take stock of what kind of space suits you. People draw their energy and relaxation from a wide variety of settings and ambiances.
There’s a meditation space for every kind of mindfulness activity. But, first, you need to decide what works best for you. Here are a few common features to consider to help you pinpoint what brings out your inner yogi.
- Lighting – Do you prefer lots of natural light or a dim setting with candles? Let this feature guide your choice when selecting a spot for your meditation experience. There are even special lights available which might help your meditation.6
- Noise – Pause for a moment in a potential spot. Do you hear traffic? How about the TV in the next room? Find a space that compliments your sense of calm and focus. Keep in mind that a little noise is okay and can even become a feature of successful meditation.7
- Activity Levels – Even the tiniest bit of commotion can distract as you try to focus on your breaths. Account for kids, spouses, or even pets cruising through your space when choosing an ideal meditation spot.8
Remember, you can set up a meditation space anywhere you feel comfortable and free of distractions. This can be in the spare room of the house, or even a corner of your living room. The exact location is less important than the ability of the space to facilitate your meditation.
Room Ideas For Your Meditation Space
Once you have a good spot in mind, you can start to apply some subtle touches to really boost the feng shui.
Limit Technology And Other Distractions
The pros will tell you that distractions are actually an important part of meditation.9 Learning to process all that mental noise is what meditation trains you to do.
However, dinging phones and floods of emails aren’t ideal when making a space for yourself. Cut them out to limit the distractions or excuses that might otherwise detract from your focus.
As much as everyone likes to think they can do a million things at once, the fact is multitasking can make things more difficult.10 The fewer things you try to do while in your zen space, the more energy you can focus on yourself.
Use Colors To Create A Relaxing Ambience
If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, then ambiance is in the mind’s eye of the yogi. Some people find washed-out pastels of the desert calming. Others might need the verdant forest to bring out their zen.
Choose a color palette, lighting scheme, and design aesthetic that brings you peace of mind. This is important, because interior color schemes and aesthetics may influence your sense of calm and emotional well-being.11
The Power Of Scents
Your mind and sense of smell share a powerful bond. Research suggests that familiar scents and fragrances unlock psychological and mental changes in the minds of many humans.12
These pleasant smells and aroma might help reduce anxiety and increase relaxation.13 Take advantage of this powerful neurological boost by placing some scented candles or an oil diffuser in your space. Choose a scent that you find pleasant, and use it to unlock your full meditation potential.
Helpful Meditation Room Decor
Nature offers all sorts of objects that calm the spirit and mind. Beads. Plants. Crystals. Objects from nature and natural sunlight have all been shown to help support mental health and positivity.14
The world provides all sorts of objects that can help draw out your inner-calm. Find your muse, and add it to your space. Or, even build yourself a tiny meditation altar with everything that calms your spirit.
These items can help you relax, but they also designate the space as an established meditation room. It’s sort of like hanging up a “do not disturb” sign. It announces to the world that this area is for you and your purpose.
Make It Comfortable
Meditation is all about focus. If you’re uncomfortable, it’s easy for your mind to wander. Fortunately, you don’t have to sit in a lotus pose to meditate. You can take a seat on some pillows or on a chair.15
It’s all about comfort. Make your space a spot that you look forward to visiting. Add a bunch of pillows. Have a nice yoga mat on hand so that you can lie down. Use whatever you need to make the space as inviting and comfortable as you can.
Make A Space That Works For You
Creating a meditation room is all about designing a spot that works for you. Take the time to pick out an area of the home that speaks
to your sense of calm and tranquility. Then, add whatever touches you need to designate it as your official meditation nook. Just a few minutes a day in your new sanctuary might have a wonderful impact on your health.
Take a deep breath. This is your shelter from the noise of the world. Hopefully, it’s so nice that you want to visit every day.
Learn More:
Sources
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23541163
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24395196
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24979314
4. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_mindfulness_improves_sleep
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1447992/
6. https://www.designrulz.com/meditation-lights/
7. https://www.wildmind.org/background/noise
8. https://chopra.com/articles/how-to-deal-with-distractions-while-meditating
9. https://siyli.org/resources/distracted-during-meditation
10. https://bokcenter.harvard.edu/technology-and-student-distraction
11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6120989/
12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5198031/
13. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5099920/
14. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4877070/
15. https://www.yogajournal.com/videos/use-a-chair-for-meditation
