Encourage Self-Care with a Relaxation Room
Whether you find the most relaxation through exercise, social interactions, or simply sitting down in silence at home, it is important for you to have some sort of place to ease your mind after a hard day. However, many people think they can go without self-care. It is frequently assumed that self-care implies excess -- a waste of time and money that could be better served in some other capacity. However, this could not be further from the truth. Self-care is critical for our mental health, professional productivity, and overall satisfaction with life. Here are some healthy ways you can start to practice self-care without impacting your current schedule.
Design a Relaxation Room in Your House
The first thing you can do is to take a free weekend and design a room in your house to help you relax. Commonly called a meditation room, this process simply means that you create a room in your house that fills your needs and allows you to fully rest your mind and body. For some people, this may mean designing a beach-themed room. Paint the walls a peaceful shade of blue, light an ocean-scented candle, and fill it with comfortable wicker chairs with soft white plush cushions or a hammock. Other people may enjoy a minimalist or sensory-free zone with white or black walls, a cushy but understated chair, and a single lamp, alongside plenty of open space and room to breathe. You could also design an Eastern-influenced meditation room with colorful walls, soothing smells, and perhaps some soft cushions on the floor. This classic approach is frequently used by spas and retreat centers to help foster a sense of peace and simplicity.
Ultimately, the most important thing you can do when designing a relaxation room is to center it around your preferences. For instance, while most people find red to be an energizing color, if you feel at most peace with yourself and the world when you are surrounded by the color red, go for it. Don’t let yourself be influenced by what you think you should do -- your relaxation room should be a place that suits your personal needs.
How to Use Your Relaxation Room
It’s not enough to create a relaxation or meditation room -- you also have to properly use it every day. Again, while the self-care techniques each person finds most beneficial will vary, many people can find great benefits from daily meditation. Light your candles, turn on some soft music, and close your eyes. (If you have a family, make sure they know not to disturb you in your relaxation room.) Try your best to clear your mind for 10 to 20 minutes, but you should also not be afraid of letting your mind and imagination wander freely. The core goal of mindfulness meditation is to become comfortable with yourself, your thoughts, and your feelings. While your first few attempts may feel extremely awkward, push through; learning to meditate involves a process, as with anything else, and your skills will develop as you become more accustomed to it.
Make Time Every Day for Self-Care
Your meditation room can also be a great place for you to practice other self-care techniques throughout the day. In addition to helping you reduce stress, you can also use the space for brief relaxation periods throughout the day (whatever relaxation looks like to you -- it may be a time to listen to music, read a book, or simply enjoy the silence). This can help you get better sleep at night, as well. Finally, if you find yourself running out of time during the day, you may want to start saying no to extra projects and obligations. Remember, you should never sacrifice your personal health for professional gain.
No matter how busy or stressed you get, remember that one of the best ways for you to deal with the chaos of everyday life is to take time each day for yourself. A dedicated meditation room can help you focus on self-care and help inspire you to take better care of yourself in the days to come.
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