Creating the Zen Experience in Your Own Home
Have you ever wished you had a place to
escape for quiet time, a room away from it all where you can be alone with your thoughts? More people are creating such a space and calling it a Zen room. A Zen room is any place where you can sit and think without being distracted by the internet. It could be a closet, a corner of a room, or a whole room, but is created to provide calm, peace, and tranquility.
Typically, Zen rooms are decorated with natural or neutral colors, black and white photographs, or artworks that depict the wonders of nature. You can find Zen rooms in homes worldwide, although they may have different names. It’s a room where you can escape for a while without leaving your home. A Zen room is conducive to meditation. It is not specifically a meditation room, although you may choose to use it for meditation.
What Do People Do in Zen Rooms?
A Zen room can be a place for meditation, yoga, and other spiritual activities. It can also be a place to simply relax and feel at peace with yourself and with the world. In your Zen room, you might listen to music or sit quietly for a time. Whatever you decide to do in your Zen room, you will undoubtedly enjoy going there and having that space to do what you love.
What if you want to create a Zen room in your own home? Here are some characteristics a Zen room should have.
Emphasize Light
There’s something therapeutic about natural light. It helps set your internal circadian rhythm for better mental and physical health, and it has a calming effect. Choose a room in your home that gets lots of light. Light from the sun is the best because it is free, offers the full spectrum of colors, and changes throughout the day. A sunny window or a skylight are ideal. If this isn’t possible, try to use a lamp with full-spectrum lights, which will provide day-like light without glare.
Some people prefer to have a dimmer switch attached to the light fixture so they can adjust the level of light for their individual needs. This can also make it easier to fall asleep afterward in a darkened room. Don’t use fluorescent lighting or any other type of lighting that can strain your eyes after a short time.
Keep It Simple
Keep it simple, and sparsely decorated. When you’re trying to relax or meditate, too many objects disrupt the calm state you’re trying to achieve. The last thing you want is lots of clutter to clutter your mind. Focus on what you can remove from your Zen room to make it more restful for your mind. Clutter is the enemy of calm. At most, have a single comfortable chair in your Zen room in a natural material like wicker or rattan. Some people don’t even have furniture; they just have a mat to sit on.
If possible, choose a room with white walls, or light-colored walls in shades of pale blue or green. Blues and greens are colors that relax the mind. You can also include inexpensive rugs and cushions that feel good against your feet and body.
Add Touches of Nature
Nature has a calming effect on the mind and body. Display plants near the windows where light comes in. You might even consider an inexpensive desktop fountain to enjoy the sound of flowing water when you spend time in your Zen room. A few simple photos of nature scenes, such as the ocean, will further enhance the calm you feel.
Hide the Clutter
If you live in a small house and can’t remove all the clutter, invest in a room divider to hide the clutter. Simply position the room divider in front of items you can’t remove, so they’re not visible. But remove as many distractions from your Zen room as possible to create a sense of calm. The main feature that makes a place Zen is the lack of distractions. There should be no television, no computer, no internet access, and no books to distract you. A Zen room is a place you use to escape from
those things.
Consider the Aroma of Your Zen Room
Certain aromas are relaxing and add to the feeling of Zen. For example, when you feel tense or stressed,
add a few drops of lavender or orange oil to a diffuser and let the aroma fill your Zen room. These two scents are proven stress relievers. Just take several deep breaths and let your mind and body relax as you inhale these calming scents.
The Bottom Line
To have a Zen room is a privilege; not everyone has one. It’s not about buying an expensive couch or having ornaments on your table, but rather about having an open mind and heart, as well as a quiet space to relax your mind and body. It can be anything you want it to be, as long as it helps you find your Zen.