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It's easy for our homes to become chaotic and out-of-kilter due to the demands of daily life. As a result, they can begin to lack the healing atmosphere that so many of us need to decompress.
There are many ways to make your home feel, one, more functional, and two, more uplifting for your mind. Things like decluttering and redecorating might come to mind here, but what if you could create a space designed to help you get away from the fast-paced reality of daily life, where you can unwind and put up a "closed" sign on your availability to the outside world?
Today we're discussing creating a meditation space at home, from calming decor and ambience to eliminating distractions and maximising privacy. Before we jump into these 9 helpful tips, let's explore the benefits of meditation and why it can be difficult to do at home.
What are the Benefits of Meditation?
It's no secret that meditation is great for mental health. Studies show regular meditation can help to reduce depression, anxiety and stress levels. I've always found meditating is one of the only chances my mind gets to stop racing. It's a precious practice I aim to do every day.
Now, if meditation is indeed so effective, is it as simple as practising it every day? Well, yes and no. For many of us, the act of sitting down to meditate is not as straightforward as it may seem.
Obstacles to Meditating at Home
As beneficial as it is, meditation isn't easy, at least not for everyone. You have to learn to meditate, which takes focus, dedication and consistency.
When it comes to meditating at home, there may be more distractions than you would imagine. In busy households, there's noise, and family, children, pets, and chores are fighting for your attention.
Even for those who live alone, there are distractions everywhere. Just imagine, you've sat down to meditate and the doorbell goes, your mobile phone rings, your to-do list on the fridge catches your eye, and you remember the dishes need washing and the laundry needs hanging up. If you work from home it can be difficult to escape the work mentality and switch off to meditate.
Any of these distractions can make the task of meditating simply disappear from your agenda and, before you know it, your newfound motivation to meditate consistently is no more.
So how can you prioritise meditation at home and reap all of the amazing benefits that the practice can provide?
Creating a Meditation Space at Home | 9 Tips
Having a dedicated space to meditate can help you tune into the headspace needed to sit down and focus for however long you want to meditate. Whether that's a meditation corner, room, or chair, adapting your environment to a focus-friendly sanctuary puts you in control of your meditation experience. This can help you can minimise distractions and enliven your senses to help you arrive in the present moment.
Creating a meditation space at home can be simple and enjoyable, especially if you have the space and resources. It can result in a peaceful refuge that you will look forward to escaping to every day. Let's explore these 9 tips on how to create the perfect spot to meditate.
1: Choosing the Best Place for Your Meditation Space
Technically, you can meditate anywhere, especially if you're a seasoned meditator. However, there are some considerations to keep in mind when choosing the ideal space for an uninterrupted session so you can fully focus and have the best chance at cultivating a regular meditation practice.
First, Assess What You Have to Work with
If you're lucky, you'll have a whole room that you can arrange exactly as you want it, but, for many, you might only have the option of a corner of a room or even just a few square feet. It doesn't matter how much space you have, as we will explore how to create a soothing space even if you only have the space for a small cushion to sit on.
Second, Consider When You're Likely to Meditate
If you meditate in the morning, it might be helpful to set up a space in your bedroom so you can practice first thing. Prepare the space the night before with everything you need so you don't have to think about it when you wake up.
The same goes if you meditate as soon as you get home from work - ensure your meditation space is set up before you leave the house so you can jump straight into your session.
If you meditate in the evening, consider where other household members tend to hang out at that time and try to find somewhere that is likely to have lower traffic so you'll have less chance of being interrupted.
If you're fortunate enough to have a variety of rooms and options to choose from, it's important to select the most suitable room for meditating. For those who live in multi-story homes, ground-floor rooms provide a stronger connection to the earth, offering better grounding, while top-floor rooms usually receive abundant natural light which can significantly enhance the atmosphere.
Wherever you choose to set up your meditation space, do what you can to select an area that exudes positive, calming energy. This could be next to a window, behind a curtain for privacy, surrounded by houseplants, or even outside on a balcony or in a garden.
2: Maximise Privacy and Minimise Distraction for Ultimate Focus
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Meditation requires focus, and it's easiest to focus with minimal distractions, especially if you're new to meditating.