Find time to relax and meditate in reflection spaces for your mental health

Garden for reflection

Charity Bailey----Life is full of distractions. Daily commutes to work, deadlines, appointments, cell phones, computers, faxes, telephones, family demands, and a hundred other commitments constantly infiltrate our attention spans and make it difficult to find time to relax. But how can we find the time and place to relax in this workaday world where both of these elements may be scarce?

Lost in all this hectic activity is the time for us, the time for getting to know ourselves. Taking time to just be ourselves is not only important mentally but physically as well. We need time to relieve daily stress and refresh our lives.  Health professionals underline this as particularly important.

Just as we need a kitchen to be the part of our house where we nourish our bodies, we also need a sacred space at home to provide us a place to nourish our soul. The following are guidelines to setting up and decorating your own mediation space.  Some of these guidelines are simple but can make the difference in reducing stress and finding the place to take time to find yourself again and the mental renewal to face the world of work and other demands.

From Apartment to Home

Whether you live in a tiny apartment or a mansion, it is possible to create a mediation space. The first consideration is to select a place free from distractions. An extra bedroom in a home is ideal, as are gardens, patios, and even basements or attics. The selected area should be well ventilated; rooms with windows are ideal. Keep telephones and cell phones away from your meditation space.

For more modest abodes and apartments, finding a place free from distractions is more challenging, but certainly doable. The use of sliding screens, folding screens, or Noren curtains can help create a sense of privacy. Regardless of the size of the meditation space, keep your space as clean as possible and free of clutter. Decorate the meditation space with personal items that having meaning for you. Religious symbols, photographs, mementos, plants, candles, and books are just a few examples of potential decorations.

Lighting

Like everything else in your meditation space, the amount of lighting -- and the type of light -- you want is a matter of personal preference. While some will want a meditation space to be well lit, others prefer subdued lighting.

Candles, night-lights, floor lights, and luminaries are all ways to provide soft lighting. If subdued lighting makes you feel sleepy, you may want to go for something brighter.

You might consider using pastel colored lampshades in your meditation space, as they have a relaxing effect. If there are windows, hang shades or curtains so that you can control the amount of light that comes in. Curtains also add a sense of softness to a meditation space.

Music

Music is an important part of a meditation space. Besides setting the mood, music can help diminish distracting noises from other parts of the home. Set up a stereo or CD player in your meditation space so that you can enjoy relaxing music free from commercial advertisements.

Furniture

The amount of furniture in your space should be limited. For seating, benches, cushions, floor mats, or a comfortable straight back chair work well. Love seats or small couches may be too soft and they lack back support, which might make some people drowsy. Ideally, choose seating that is comfortable but allows you to sit straight. This is especially important when meditating.

What Then?

Use your meditation space to become silent, to clear your mind. Pray, chant, write in your journal, read, listen to music, meditate, or whatever it is that allow you to relax and get in touch with yourself. Make it a habit to spend time in the meditation space at least twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening.

By starting your morning in the meditative space, you allow yourself time to prepare for the upcoming day at your own pace. Returning in the evening gives you an opportunity to escape from the day's stress and gets you ready for a good night's sleep.

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This article was presented by Charity Bailey, Environmental Studies major and relaxation techniques expert.