| Studies show that Americans have less free time | | | | your commute to work without any car horns, |
| than ever before in history. Our jam-packed | | | | sirens, or construction sounds. Picture a trip to the |
| schedules of constantly conflicting engagements | | | | grocery store without people yelling into their cell |
| put our minds in a terrible race. In fact, the | | | | phones about what kind of milk to get, the |
| absence of leisure time is shooting stress-related | | | | constant beeping of the check out lines, and |
| illnesses through the roof and plummeting the | | | | children screaming for ice cream. Sounds a lot |
| percentage of people who describe their life as | | | | better, right? Create the right kinds of sounds in |
| "happy and comfortable." | | | | your meditation area by installing a small water |
| So, how do you avoid this plight? Experts have | | | | feature. If you live seaside, certainly try to situate |
| shown that meditation can aid in the recovery | | | | your peaceful place near the water. But, if you're |
| and prevention of both mental and physical | | | | not so lucky, you can get an inexpensive small |
| ailments. Deep breathing, relaxation, and reflection | | | | water fall that plugs right into the wall or operates |
| time are all critical to our overall health. Perhaps | | | | by battery. Or, you can go a little deeper by |
| this spring is the season you turn it all around by | | | | creating a koi pond or small dew pond. Of course, |
| creating an outdoor meditation area to keep your | | | | if you must, you can always get a small noise |
| spirits bright all year 'round! | | | | machine that many people use in their bedrooms |
| Separate the area from your home and yard: To | | | | for sleeping that has ocean wave or running |
| achieve true relaxation, you have to remove | | | | stream sound settings. This way, your eyes will |
| yourself from your daily stressors. Seeing a | | | | be away from the sink of dirty dishes and your |
| kitchen sink full of dishes will not help put your | | | | ears will be hidden from the sounds of rush hour |
| mind at ease. There are several ways to do this; | | | | or telephones ringing. When your eyes close, you |
| you could start simply by placing privacy screens | | | | can always just imagine you're withdrawing to |
| around a sectioned off area. Using a pergola or an | | | | your beach retreat! |
| open-air gazebo are other options for completely | | | | Use minimal decorations and simple furniture: The |
| outdoor spaces. But, if you live in a cooler climate | | | | last thing you need to do when creating this |
| and want to use this space in the winter months, | | | | space is stress out! Don't fret about the decor, |
| using a pool house or a cabana may suit your | | | | because the simpler, the better. Use small side |
| needs better. The most important thing is to | | | | tables or outdoor accent tables for flowers, |
| create an area where cares and worries are "not | | | | candles, or your water feature. You can create a |
| allowed." Another way to do this is to install some | | | | bit of interest by using outdoor tables of different |
| kind of garden bridge; this way you can decide | | | | heights and sizes to allow your eyes to gently |
| that when you cross over the bridge you are | | | | survey all parts of your meditation area. But, this |
| crossing over into a peaceful place. Ancient | | | | is not the place for your expansive outdoor dining |
| Japanese and Chinese gardens used zig-zag | | | | set or deep seating collection. Allow yourself a |
| garden bridges to cross into their gardens, | | | | space to focus inward, instead of on the |
| because folk lore suggested that evil spirits could | | | | perfection of your decor (save that for the |
| only travel in straight lines and, therefore, would | | | | outdoor furniture your porch or patio!) |
| not be able to cross into the space if the garden | | | | Allow a place for true, escaped repose: Though |
| bridge was constructed in a zig-zag pattern. | | | | purists would only allow a yoga mat in the center |
| However you choose to separate your meditation | | | | of the room for true, concentrated meditation... I |
| area from the rest of your home, it is most | | | | think it's important to make your peaceful area |
| important that you can feel some kind of physical | | | | work for you. Doing yoga poses and various |
| transition from daily stressors to daily calming. | | | | stretching is an excellent way to re-center |
| Keep connection with nature: Though you want to | | | | yourself--no question! But, sometimes, you just |
| create an area separated from the rest of your | | | | need a place to rest undisturbed. Try installing a |
| home, you don't want to lose your connection | | | | hammock, porch swing, or just a simple and |
| with nature. If using privacy screens, a pergola, or | | | | comfy chaise lounge or rocking chair in your new |
| gazebo, simply make sure that trees, flowers, or | | | | space. There is true value in curling up with a |
| foliage still surround your area. If using an enclosed | | | | novel, simply staring into space and thinking about |
| garden structure, like a cabana, pool house, or | | | | nothing for an hour or so, and (of course) |
| even a gazebo with walls, be sure to install lots of | | | | guiltlessly drifting off into an afternoon nap. |
| large windows (preferably ones with screens that | | | | Sometimes, our American media tries to make |
| can be opened). Many backyard structures | | | | you feel guilty for taking time for yourself. But, |
| support sky lights to let the sun shine into your | | | | you'll run yourself into the ground if you don't |
| meditation space as well. If you garden, you know | | | | take some time out to relax. Creating a space |
| that nature is calming. And, if you don't garden, | | | | away from your daily stressors that is solely for |
| many expert studies have confirmed that a | | | | the purpose of inward reflection will have a |
| connection with nature nurtures peaceful thoughts | | | | positive effect on all the different parts of your |
| and calm minds. You can also bring the outdoors | | | | life. And, remember, it doesn't just have to be for |
| inside, by placing bonsai trees, green potted plants, | | | | you! A son or daughter after a long and stressful |
| and flowers on accent tables around your garden | | | | day at school would absolutely benefit from an |
| structure to achieve that connection. | | | | hour or so of "quiet time" away from the |
| Use a water feature for soothing sounds: You | | | | computer, their toys, and loud siblings. In fact, this |
| may not realize it, but the sounds we hear | | | | meditation area could improve the entire family! |
| contribute greatly to our stress levels. Imagine | | | | |