Life in the city can be chaotic and overwhelming. From the hustle and bustle of the crowded streets to all the sensory inputs assaulting us from every angle, it’s easy to get completely drained of energy. Fortunately, for those looking to escape, soothe their minds, and relax, urban zen zones have been popping up all around cities, allowing people to take a break from the urban chaos and reconnect with their own unique inner peace.
1. Finding your Oasis with Urban Zen Zones
Urban Zen Zones help create a sense of balance and well-being that can be hard to find in our busy lives. A single zone can provide a place to mellow out and experience a sense of peace, allowing you to step away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Creating your own Urban Zen Zones is not as difficult as it may appear. Start by carving out a space in your home or building where you can feel free to relax. You don’t need to necessarily commit an entire room—sometimes, all it takes is a corner or alcove.
The next step is to choose the type of ambience you are trying to create. Consider the décor and colors that best evoke a sense of comfort and relaxation. Supplement these with calming details like aromatherapy candles, plush pillows, and soothing string lights.
After this, think about the activities you wish to focus on when in the Urban Zen Zone. For example:
- Meditation. Bring mindfulness to the space by incorporating meditation techniques.
- Yoga. Practice various forms of yoga, which can help to reduce stress.
- Reading. Read your favorite book, magazine, or newspaper, or try a new hobby like calligraphy or journaling.
Finally, fuse this with any personal touches that you think will bring about feelings of serenity. Ideas include playing soothing music, burning aromatic oils, and positioning artwork that speaks to you.
By giving yourself permission to slow down and enjoy simply being in the moment, you can foster a sense of wellbeing and joy. Urban Zen Zones make this easier by offering a safe place for relaxation and reflection. In the end, you will be armed with actions and intentional behaviors that will bring a feeling of completeness and well-being to your life.
2. Redesigning Your Urban Environment
We’ve all experienced the benefits of living in an urban area – convenience, diversity, and culture, just to name a few. However, it’s just as easy to get bogged down in the challenges of the space – noise, pollution, and cramped quarters, to name a few. The key to making the most of your urban environment is to give it some careful attention and redesign the space to ensure you get the best out of it.
Get to Know Your Surroundings
- Take a stroll around your neighbourhood and give it a good look. It’s easy to overlook the small details when you’ve been there for a while.
- Check out what your neighbours are doing. If your apartment building has balconies, for example, have a look to see if they’re doing anything interesting with their space.
Think Creative
- If possible, try to think outside the box when it comes to . Put together an open space park from available city assets. Planting trees and flowers can also add to the aesthetics of the neighbourhood.
- Get involved in beautification projects – even a small contribution can make a big impact. Talk to your local council to see if they have any cultural initiatives you can join in on. Any impact you make will help to improve the entire neighbourhood.
Be Mindful of Your Space
- Try to make sure you’re not taking up more space than you need. For example, if you live in a smaller apartment, it might be best to avoid large furniture that will take up a lot of room.
- If you have a garden, make sure you’re utilising the outdoor space in a way that benefits both you and the neighbourhood. Plant flowers, vegetables, and trees to contribute to the area.
can go a long way towards making your home ever more comfortable. There’s no need to go through extensive renovation, just take some time to observe, plan, and be creative.
3. Experiencing the Benefits of Zen Zones
You can create Zen Zones in any area of your home or workplace, where you can simply take a few minutes of respite each day. A Zen Zone is a place that is purposely free from any stress, chaos and distractions. Here, you can put practice mindful breathing techniques, perform a brief yoga session and take a few deep, relaxed breaths.
After a few brief moments of tranquility, you can go about the rest of your day with a more relaxed mindset and increased focus, feeling more invigorated and energetic. Zen Zones also have positive impacts on your physical wellbeing. Studies have shown that regular mindful practice can help reduce stress, which can lead to a strengthened immune system, lower blood pressure and lower risk of heart disease.
The Japanese believe that a period of quiet reflection in your own Zen Zone is the best way to foster creativity and insight. Such moments of peacefulness can aid our mental clarity, allowing us to pursue solutions to problems or think of creative ideas.
Additionally, if you are feeling overwhelmed or anxious, a few moments in your own personal Zen Zone can help to put all of your worries and stressors into perspective. Connecting with your inner calm and self-awareness can give you a powerful sense of purpose and direction in life.
In modern times, our lives are filled with unending to-do lists and a million tasks that need to be done. Creating your own Zen Zone can provide a much needed reprieve from all of this hustle and bustle. Below are some simple steps you can take to experience the many benefits of a Zen Zone:
- Choose an area: Select an area in your home or work space that you feel comfortable in.
- Choose calming elements: Furnish the space with soothing, calming elements. Think of a few items that draw your attention and encourage relaxation.
- Put on soothing music: Find a sound that’s peaceful and calming, one that helps you stay focused and relax. Put on some meditation music or a soft instrumental.
- Spend a few minutes per day: Connect with yourself by sitting in your Zen Zone for a few minutes each day and practice mindful breathing.
4. Creating a Relaxing Space in the City
A city can be hectic and overwhelming, and it’s essential to create your own personal oasis in the hustle and bustle. Here are some tips on how to create a relaxing retreat from the city.
- Choose soothing colors. Rather than opting for the bold and eye-catching colors of urban walls, create a calming atmosphere in your bedroom or living area with cool colors like blues and greens.
- Settle on furniture that brings comfort. Invest in anything made of fabric, like comfy chairs, fluffy rugs, and pillows. There’s nothing like sinking into a cozy couch after a long day out in the city.
- Get some plants. Plants have a huge impact on the energy in a space. For a sense of tranquility and serenity, try a fragrant plant like lavender, or just about any leafy green plant. Place them around your room for a calming effect.
- Incorporate light. Lighting has a big impact on the feel of a space. For a relaxed ambiance, use lamps with warm-colored bulbs and scatter some tealights around the room.
- Play calming sounds. Create the perfect atmosphere with soft sounds like birds chirping, the ocean, or calming music. If you’re feeling daring, why not experiment with some meditation music?
- Scent the space. Pick some soothing scents, like lavender or rose, that will waft through your room and create a peaceful atmosphere. For a calming aroma therapy session, why not light a few candles?
These steps won’t take you far from the lively energy of the city, but rather, let you take a moment out of the city life and find a moment of peace in your own home.
Try taking a few of these steps to create the perfect space for yourself in the city. You’ll have access to both the exciting part of city life and a peaceful retreat.
Welcome to the world of Urban Zen Zones – where there’s something for everyone, no matter what energy level or sanity level you find yourself in! From walking in nature to joining a community of like-minded people, there’s something out there in the urban jungle that will bring you the peace and tranquility you need to bring balance to your life and to know calmness and joy. Now, go ahead and give one of these amazing spaces a try – and join the revolution!
