Creating a Peaceful Environment
Creating a peaceful environment is something that we wholeheartedly believe in. If your environment is calming then it has the ability to make you and the people around you calm. After a long day, there is nothing better than coming home to your sanctuary. Ambiance, smells, colors, and lighting all have an impact on you even if you don’t realize it.
Zen Essentials
Everyone’s idea of zen can be different but one thing it must be is peaceful.
- Smell- Candles, incense, oil diffusers, and room sprays all set an instant tone. Breathing in certain scents can have an effect on how you may feel.
- Sound- Light music, scenery sounds of the ocean or birds, or complete silence may put you in a zone where you can concentrate on that exact moment.
- Lighting- Dim or soft lighting, candlelit room, salt lamp glow, twinkle lights, natural light, or complete darkness can all work for a Zen environment. Whatever lighting gives you in the calmest energy.
- Cleanliness- A clean and well-kept area helps balance the energy in the room while keeping it positive. Using sage to smudge and cleanse the air is a good practice.
- Appearance- Everyone’s ideal look of Zen can vary. Some might like the simplistic and minimalist look while others like bright colors and Buddhas everywhere. Whatever appearance appeals to you is fine, just remember that it needs to be something that is simple and doesn’t stimulate your mind and body too much.
- Furniture- Furniture should be simple and natural. The fabric should be soft and bring a sense of comfort and relaxation.
- Plants- Bring nature into your space. Plants improve the oxygen around you. Look for indoor plants that appeal to you and your space.
- Meditation– Practice calm breathing. Use meditation beads if that suits you. Sitting in silence and finding peace can be hard but learning to focus on your breath and relaxing is the most important part of meditation. If sitting in silence is too hard on certain days then actively mediate by stretching and focused breathing. The beautiful thing about meditation is that you can do it anywhere!
- Get Creative- Get creative with how you decorate your Zen environment. Line your fireplace with candles. Place candles and incense trays in specific areas. Hang a tapestry. Buy a floor pillow for seated mediation. Purchase calm and smoothing oils and lotions. Invest in knick-knacks and little statues that appeal to you. Frogs, elephants, lotus flowers and Buddha’s are some of our favorites!
A variety of stones or crystals are a great addition to any Zen environment!
Find Your Inner Peace
Creating a Zen environment is an on-going process. As you evolve so will your space. Every day is different which means some days you might need more candles and relaxing music and other days you might need more darkness and silence. There is no blueprint on how to create a Zen environment. All you need is some inspiration and to listen to what you need and your environment will become your own personal sanctuary. We outlined some of the basics and also included links so you can explore some of the Zen essentials we mentioned. Remember, it does not need to cost a lot of money to create a peaceful environment. You will be surprised how many items are out there at discount stores, thrift shops and even garage sales. The more you look the more you will find! Some of our favorite finds are the unexpected ones!
Your Zen journey is just that.. YOURS! Listen to your mind, heart and body and see what it is that YOU need. We wish you nothing but positivity as you explore and create your Zen environment! Namaste!
Oh boy, this is giving me major inspiration to redo my room rn. Love the post!
Meg xx
https://megchills.com/
yes!! We love that!! Thank you for reading Megan!
Do it! Add something new and fresh!
Thanks for reading Megan
I do a lot of essential oils, so I know the importance of good scents! It can really set the tone of the room!
They sure can! I have ones specifically for our bedroom and other ones for the rest of the house! I even have a diffuser at work! Love oils !
Sometimes I use my oils in the shower too for some little extra Zen time.
I can definitely use a Zen room in a house with 2 young daughters under the age of five. A colleague of mine recently started a meditation group at work and it has become a hit. Once you find that inner peaceful, your mind will feel much lighter to allow you to conquer other tough challenges Thank you ladies!
Beautifully said! finding peace and inner silence is a wonderful thing to tap into! It takes practice but once you find it, it can change your life! Thank you for reading!
A meditation group at work sounds so refreshing! That is such a great idea too.
Thanks for reading Mr. MFC
You have inspired me to create my own zen environment at home. I love all of the zen essential ideas you included to get us started! I really need to incorporate this into my life. With the stresses of life, this can really help!
It certainly can and does! thanks for Kaia!
Yay!! And Kaia, you can start with something basic such a crystals and oils. Stress free is what we want you go be!
I want to try this in my room. Thank you for sharing this.
Absolutely ! thank you for reading !
Thank you for sharing this. I had started Yoga recently and at the last part of the session, my teacher would give us 10 minute mediation to zen myself. I do find that very peaceful. Now with your added tips on candles and other stones, i will definitely try to make my home more zen!
And yes, similar to your post, I also add a zen garden to my home too, you can find it here: https://homelilys.com/gardening-ideas/77-japanese-garden-ideas-small-spaces-will-bring-zen-home/
Thank you for sharing your zen gardening ideas with us.
This is great inspiration for creating a peaceful space.
Le | http://www.marvelingmillennial.com
This was such an inspiring post! I am hoping to start studding yoga during my year abroad!
Chloe
thewebboflearning.com
That sounds amazing Chloe!! Do it!
How exciting to be going abroad! Getting artifacts from your travels is also a great addition to your zen room. Have a blast Chloe!!!
Loved reading the post. Being in a peaceful surrounding surely affects us in a positive way. Specially for people living in city life. (like me)
I’m thinking of keeping some indoor plants. Can you suggest any?
Masooma, thank you for reading! Really easy indoor plants that need minimal work are of course succulents such as aloe (which you can use on your body too), pork and beans (which is a fun looking plant). Money trees are beautiful and usually have a braided trunk and grow up and have beautiful leafs. Snake plant is a great starter plant and is super hard to kill.
Let me know if this helps and I always down to give more gardening tips!!
Happy Zen!?
I am such a fan of a zen environment. My bedroom is such a calming space. I’ve made a homemade lavender spray. I also have lavender scented lotion to help me unwind. And I don’t know what I would do without my meditation and nature sounds apps.
That’s awesome Laurie! Meditation has saved me on MANY occasions !
I love essential oils. They can be so curing and relaxing
This is really interesting! I love scented candles and I agree that “breathing in certain scents can have an effect on how you may feel.”
Yes! One of my favorite scents is peppermint! What is one of yours?
Thanks for reading
Lighting is a big part for me. If the lighting isn’t perfectly my brand of zen I just cannot chill. Great list!
I need to be having this once in a while being zen is probably what I need right about now.
Girl, we all need Zen! This world gets crazy and having that inner peace within yourself can make all the difference. Thanks for reading!
I agree that a clean space makes a huge difference in our peace. I’ve been working with a organizational specialist and set aside time to clear out my clutter. Its a task but it is helping.
Good for you Lydia!! Keep it up.. it will be worth it in the end!
Clearing cutter is so satisfying at the end! I would love to hear any tips you may have on that as well.
Great list! I must look for plants to make my room comply with the list.
That’s one of my favorite parts about my Zen Room, the plants! It really pulls it all together
I definitely need to work on my Zen. My home is anything but. These ideas have given me inspiration!
I love all of these ideas. I think a smell definitely makes a huge difference!
xo, Sondra
Cuisineandtravel.com
What is your favorite scent? A smell can make all the difference!
Thanks for reading Sondra
I find it great that you wrote that everyone’s zen journey is theirs. What some find relaxing is irritating to others. My home is as empty as it could be. I love minimalism. I also have no scents anywhere, and most of my furniture is white. I get a lot of comments from people telling me it looks cold, some even find it too empty or uncomfortable. For me it is perfection. =)
That’s what it is all about Gloria!! what works for you is what is important! Its all about creating YOUR space for YOU! Thanks for reading !
It is true, everyone’s zen journey is their own. And that is what is so exciting about it. I admire your minimalist lifestyle! You will have to share some tips with us how to live like a minimalist. I would love to see pics because it sounds wonderful to me too! Thanks for sharing Gloria, and I hope to hear from you soon!
I love this post, most of the things within my home have been placed with consideration as to how they make me feel. My living room which is busy and filled with children during the day, instantly becomes my little zen zone once they are in bed and the toys are away. The fairy lights go on, the candles are lit, and in the winter the room is warmed by the open fire.
Thanks, Laura! This post is so important to us. I bet it is nice to have some zen time in the same area that your children are making memories. I love the irony in that too. Your living sounds great and I hope it is satisfying in many ways!
this is very inspiring and insightful. I should definitely try creating a colourful and mind-calming environment it surely help in boosting the positive energy 🙂
Thank you, Nisha!
My zen room is pretty colorful but that works for me. Do whatever works for you and let those positive vibes flow!
These are all such great essentials for a zen environment! Loved this post 🙂
Thank you for reading Suzanne!!
How inspiring! I now want my own Zen environment, hopefully when we move to a bigger place I can have a room all to myself x
Right! Do it! Start small, like with some essential oils or crystals. Those are things you can incorporate without dedicating a room to it. Thanks for reading Charli!
I love how Zen incorporates all of the different senses and to create a good space you really do have to focus on all of them. I definitely could use creating such an environment.
All senses are right David! Thanks for reading and we encourage you to practice some zen each day.
Playing with scent and essential oils and light with candles is fun quick way to ‘zen-up’ any spot I’m in when I travel or transition from work to home! Thanks for the ideas, beauties!!
It is fun and easy! Having it when you travel can feel like bringing a little peace with you.
Thank for the sweet compliment Kyrie!
Thank you for sharing with us your zen tips an techniques. Focusing on VIBES is so critical and wish it would have been harped upon in my childhood. But since it wasn’t, this BestieTalks post is perfect! Cleanliness is definitely important for me and my Man (more so him lol). But i love lighting and smells, in general, but have never felt like spending money on it. so that is what i will be doing this month. 🙂 Thanks ya’ll!
Thank YOU for reading and sharing with us !! Investing in some scents is one of the reasons I work.. I need money for more & more candles LOL
p.s you’re now entered into our giveaway contest!
Dollar store can be your best friend when trying to incorporate zen elements. they have candles and many things you can make your own. That might be in a future post since I love finding a bargain for my zen room. Thanks for sharing Mama Alice!
What stones and crystals do you recommend?
Depends what you are looking for ! Protection, peace, calmness etc but some of my favorites are amethyst, jade, rose quartz, honey calcite & selenite!
I pick stones that I’m drawn to in the moment . I hardly ever go out looking for a specific stone or crystal..they just end up coming across my path and if I’m drawn to it..I buy it! Slowly my collection has grown over the years ! Listen to your intuition..it will guide you !
I have most of these down, but I need to work on being a little more creative with my house and how I decorate it. And plants. I kill plants (not on purpose, I swear!). I just don’t understand why I have such a hard time with them, but recently I have been switching to more cactus type plants and so far that is working. Thanks for sharing all of these ideas!
Another great, easy plant to have is the Snake plant. It is always green and will survive if you forget to water it. Succulents are also great beginner plants. Feel free to mix in some good looking fake plants too.
Thanks for reading Heather!
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