Our home is our refuge, our safe place in the world. Every place you live speaks of you. Your desk in the workplace, your bedroom or your bathroom, each small space you inhabit is impregnated with your essence. Hence, the importance of creating spaces of kindness in the place where you live.
By creating your Relaxation Space, you allow your mind to identify when to “stop”. That is why this space must be made up of elements that provide peace and serenity.
Here are 5 tips to create your Relaxation Space.
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Find the space
Find a place in your home that you like, away from noise and everyday distractions, where you can create your Relaxation Space. Try not to choose a place of transit (unless you live alone). It does not have to be a room. It can be in a corner that is removed from daily activity, in the living room or even a small space inside your bedroom.
To sit you can place a zafu (meditation cushion) or simply a rug or carpet with several cushions. A good habit is to take off your shoes before inhabiting the space. This is a way of telling your mind that something is changing. Also, when the soles of the feet come into contact with the ground, we feel our connection with the earth.
The idea of this space is that you are comfortable. If you prefer, and there is enough space, it can also be made up of an armchair or chair.
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The colors
We know that color has a psychological dimension and that it plays a very important role in everyday life. Colors can help with relaxation, promote sleep or make us feel secure. Certain colors such as blue, purple and green are associated with the state of relaxation.
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Incense, essential oils and candles
Our senses allow us to be present in the here and now. I highly recommend you have essential oils, incense or any other product that allows you to stimulate your senses. For example, lavender is a calming essence, which helps relaxation and can relieve insomnia and stress. Use it at night while you consciously breathe a few minutes in silence before going to bed.
You can also use candles. Perform a small ritual in which you light a candle and incense every time you are in your Relaxation Space. Prepare the mind to inhabit the space fully and consciously.
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Music
If you find it difficult to be silent, music is a very good option. Music allows your attention to focus and stop jumping from the past to the future.
Music raises our vibration and changes our moods. Choose friendly music, music that you feel expands your body, calms you and stabilizes your mood.
You can use music with sounds of nature, like the sea or the forest. It is said that these sounds, in addition to relaxing us, promote concentration and connect us with the world and, therefore, with our origins. Relaxing music reduces stress and pain.
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A blank notebook
You can also put in your Relaxation Space everything that helps you to work on your personal growth. Buy yourself a notebook. Choose it with great care and use it as a navigation log. Writing frees us while allowing us to leave a record of vital moments, which we often forget as time passes. When we write, we not only work both parts of the brain (by hand and not on the computer), but we also empty ourselves. We release what only exists in the plane of fantasy. If we are unable to drain that mental energy, it exhausts us and leads us to spaces of suffering. Letting it go is part of the process.
You can also have blank paper and colored pencils for when you need to connect with your inner child or just need to open up creativity.
A simple exercise to do in your Relaxation Space.
After taking a shower, sit cross-legged, spine aligned, and hands-on thighs. You can close your eyes or keep them open. Look forward, with a subtle smile on your lips.
Relax and focus your attention on your breathing. Be aware of each inhalation and exhalation without forcing them. Just breathe.
Start with 5 minutes a day and increase week by week (choose your own pace) until you reach 30 minutes.
And most importantly, whatever you do, enjoy it!
Mariela Mazza
Creativity. Lifestyle. Meditation. Mental Wellbeing.
