Everyone experiences different levels of day-to-day stress and anxiety, but one thing’s for sure—the social isolation induced by the pandemic had a significant impact on nearly everyone’s mental health.
It’s important to develop go-to techniques for taking control of your mental health for when life turns a bit sour. Meditation is one of our favorite ways to remain grounded in daily life, but it can be difficult to do when we don’t have a designated space for it.
Let’s dive into the process of creating that space. Read on or skip to Zolo’s visual at the end of this article to learn more about the benefits of meditation and to gather inspiration for your own personal meditation room.
What Is a Meditation Room?
A meditation room is any space designated for the practice of meditation. If you don’t have an entire room to devote to the practice, don’t worry. You can set up some cushions in the corner of your bedroom or even put up curtains to enclose a space for your practice. The area you choose, however, should be as free from distraction as possible.
How Do I Create the Ideal Meditation Room?
Every space in our home is devoted to a certain purpose—the kitchen for cooking, the bedroom for sleeping, and the dining room for eating. You’ll want to adorn your meditation room with elements that induce a calming energy, whether that be through changing your color scheme or introducing certain sounds and smells.
Here are some tips for creating a space that is perfect for focusing your attention on the practice.
1. Pick a relaxing color scheme
Choose a shade of white, blue, or green that makes you feel comfortable and relaxed. You can paint your walls, add a rug, put up a painting, or add some pillows with this color to maintain your focus on tranquility.
2. Embrace natural light
Exposure to natural light is very healthy. It provides you with much needed vitamin D and can improve sleep quality. If you plan to use curtains in your space, choose sheer ones that will soften the light without fully blocking it out.
3. Incorporate scents
Introducing your sense of smell to the mediation practice is a great way to help your mind unwind and to help your muscles relax. Consider adding candles, incense, or an essential oil diffuser to your meditation room to accomplish this.
Certain natural scents have been linked to relaxation and improved mental health, including jasmine, lavender, bergamot, jatamansi, and ylang ylang. Remember to sample these scents before introducing them to your meditation room to ensure that they’re beneficial to your practice.
4. Keep your space quiet
The primary reason why it’s advised to devote an entire room to the practice is to minimize the potential for distraction. If your home is busy and you can’t fully close yourself off, it’s a good idea to tell your family or roommates to quiet down a bit while you practice or to hang a “Do not disturb” sign right outside your space.
While you probably want to create the perfect space for meditation, remember that the practice can be done anywhere, regardless of your environment. Show yourself kindness as you practice. It’s not about controlling your thoughts, but rather letting them flow freely, noticing them, and learning to appreciate the present moment for what it is.
