The last year certainly hasn’t been the easiest on anyone’s mental health. From having to stare at screens all day and not getting those much-needed in-person catch ups at the weekends, to the general air of uncertainty that’s filled our lives, we couldn’t be happier to see that we are on the road back to normality.
However, with that comes a whole new set of challenges. You’re not alone if the idea of lockdown easing fills you simultaneously with excitement and with overwhelm.
It’s never been so important to create some moments of mindfulness within your routine. And we’re here to help.
The benefits of meditation
Thousands of studies demonstrate scientific evidence of the benefits of meditation – in fact, fMRI and EEG research has shown notable changes in the brains of participants following consistent engagement with the practice!
These neurological and emotional benefits include: a decrease in mind-wandering for improved happiness, an increase in awareness which minimises feelings of anxiety and depression, and a higher cortical thickness in the hippocampus, which controls learning and memory.
Tips for creating the perfect meditation space
With this multitude of benefits in mind, incorporating this intimate activity into your daily (or even weekly) routine is definitely worth it! Even better, meditation doesn’t require a whole host of equipment or even much physical space. Simply follow this guide to create a truly tranquil environment and you’ll be feeling zen before you know it.
Step 1: Turn up the ambience
City dwellers, listen up! One aspect of the meditation setting that doesn’t demand physical space is a gentle playlist. It might require some trial and error to figure out which sounds suit your meditation style best, but we would recommend exploring: music, sound baths and podcast-style guided meditations.
Discover the Halcyon Vibes playlist, where we’ve curated a soundtrack to enhance your relaxation experience. Studies show that music in the workplace contributes to lower levels of stress and anxiety – when you’re engaging with the art of meditation, the right music is almost guaranteed to help you to unwind!
Sound baths have been used for over 40,000 years to assist with issues related to mental health, digestion and more. These sessions tend to be an hour long, and involve a range of instruments, from gongs and chimes to tuning forks and singing bowls. A 2016 study found that, following meditation with the Tibetan singing bowl, individuals experienced significantly less tension, anger, fatigue and depression.
Listening to guided meditations is another really popular option, particularly with beginners! With over 2,000 apps in meditation out there, the pioneering (and free!) app, Headspace, is our go-to in this genre. Aside from being one of the only apps continuously advancing the field of research on mindfulness in partnership with world class scientific institutes, multiple published studies have demonstrated the impacts of the app on individuals’ wellbeing. From lowering anxiety, stress and aggression to improving focus, mood and compassion, incorporating Headspace into your meditation improves your mindset throughout the meditation session and beyond.
Step 2: Indulge in the power of aromachology
At Halcyon Naturals, we advocate for the power of aromachology – a self-care focused balance of aromatherapy and scent psychology. In tune with the season, we select a signature scent from our eco-friendly collections each month. June’s signature scent is Meditation, a soothing blend of stress-relieving camphor, energy-boosting helichrysum and grounding rosewood. Available as a hand poured candle, indulgent room mist and pure essential oil diffuser, each expertly crafted Halcyon Naturals product is ethically produced using sustainably sourced materials.
In whatever form you decide to use it, it’s the perfect addition to your next meditation session.
Step 3: Switch on the mood
Soft lighting and the elimination of any artificial light sources is ideal for enabling your mind to focus without distraction. If you have an outdoor space, we would highly recommend meditating there – the benefits of meditating outside include a boost of Vitamin D, the production of serotonin, and the promotion of melatonin.
However, if you’re opting to practice indoors, swap the overhead lighting for something more calming. From bright, invigorating daylight with open windows, to the delicate flames of an aromachology candle, each will soothe your mind in different ways. Whilst the former is perfect to set you up for the day ahead, the latter is the perfect choice pre-sleep.
Step 4: Soften the space
Comfortable seating is essential to provide your body and mind with the support it needs to truly unwind. A cushion that is soft in texture and contents, whilst also being durable, is ideal as a meditation space staple. Quality seating for meditation encourages an improved posture, which requires particular focus for desk-based workers.
Another approach to mindfulness seating is with a grounding mat – often utilised in yoga, these platforms promote an intimate connection to the earth, considered beneficial for improving daytime energy and relaxation during the evening. We love this eco-conscious cork option by CorkYogis.
We’d love to see how you meditate! Share a picture of the space where you find calm on Instagram at @halcyonnaturalsuk.
Sources
Headspace: The Science-Backed Benefits of Meditation
Forbes: 7 Ways Meditation Can Actually Change The Brain
Science: A Wandering Mind Is an Unhappy Mind
PMC: The Effect of Music on the Human Stress Response
Huffpost: What’s The Deal With Sound Baths And Do They Actually Work?
PMC: Effects of Singing Bowl Sound Meditation on Mood, Tension, and Well-being: An Observational Study
Biyome: The Research and The Science: Mindfulness Meditation in the Sunlight