Meditation Garden: Everything You Need to Create Your Own
Shandra Martinez
| 3 min read
A peaceful outdoor setting with a comfortable place to sit. A winding path that allows someone to think as they walk. The peaceful sound of water or maybe the soft sway of wind chimes. All these are things you might find in a meditation garden. These spaces are designed to take advantage of the calming effects of the outdoors combined with mindfulness – a recipe for some Zen time that can help people feel calmer and more grounded. Here’s everything you need to create your own meditation garden.
Meditation gardens are a great way to take an increasingly popular exercise for a healthy mind and make a way to enjoy it outdoors. Studies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have shown that the number of adults and children who say they practice meditation has increased in recent years. In fact, the number of adults who reported they engaged in meditation tripled among adults in just a few years.
Health benefits of meditation
Why are so many people leaning into contemplative practices like meditation? Its ancient origins as a health and religious method in Eastern culture show that people practice meditation for myriad reasons. These days, many in the U.S. use it as a form of mindfulness that comes with physical and mental health benefits. When people meditate, they are usually sitting or lying down quietly, focusing on their breathing and how their breath is interacting with their body. It has a calming effect.
It is taught everywhere, from senior centers to preschools to local health clubs. Some of the health benefits of meditation, according to the U.S. Center for Health and Human Services:
- Lower blood pressure
- Reduced feelings of pain
- Improved sleep quality
- Better management of anxiety and depression symptoms
Moving meditation outside
We already know that spending time outside is good for our bodies and our minds. Research has shown that being outdoors a couple hours each day has quick health benefits like a lower heart rate, lower blood pressure and decreased anxiety. Time spent in nature can also mean less fatigue, depression and less inflammation in our bodies. So, if you marry the benefits from time spent outdoors to the benefits of meditation, a meditation garden can create a double boost for the body and mind.
How to create a meditation garden
Everyone’s meditation garden is going to look different, depending on the size of the space, its features, and even the colors and sounds it contains. Here are some tips for getting started:
- Select a space that has some natural barriers for serenity. This can be a quiet corner of your yard, patio or deck. It can be under a tree for a natural canopy overhead, or in a spot surrounded by bushes or a hedge.
- Make sure it has a comfortable place to sit, recline or relax. This can be a big cushion on the ground, a chair or hammock.
- The colors should not be overly bright. Anything too eye-catching could distract from meditation and pull concentration away from your breathing.
- The same goes for sounds. They should be quiet and soothing.
- Think about a water feature. A fountain or the sound of water running over stones can help create a meditative space.
- Gardens can also be a path that you walk. Circular or curving outdoor corridors are great for meditative walking.
Related:
Practicing Mindfulness Without Meditation: My Mindfulness Journey
Can Gardening Improve Mental Health?
Mindfulness-Based Techniques to Calm Kids’ Anxiety
Can Gardening Improve Mental Health?
Mindfulness-Based Techniques to Calm Kids’ Anxiety
Photo credit: Getty Images
