Whether you’re at home or on the go, it’s important to create a relaxing environment to ease tension and find a place of calm. Learning to relax, especially through meditation, can help boost your mood, improve relationships, increase creativity, improve your memory, and bring more joy and gratitude to your life. Follow our tips to create a relaxing space, no matter where you are.

Pick a private spot

Find a place at home, in your hotel room or in your car (as a passenger, of course) to start creating an environment to support focus and relaxation. If you’re at home, this could be a corner of your office, the living room or a spare bedroom. If you’re traveling, this could be any quiet, safe place that will promote calm (you can even use an eye mask and earplugs to block outside noise). There is no wrong spot for creating a relaxing environment, as long as it’s private to you. 

Clear the clutter

No matter the spot you choose, tidy up the space to remove any collected clutter. This will ensure a calm and distraction-free environment. This also means removing technology, such as TVs, tablets or smartphones (unless you’re using a meditation app). You want your space to be clear of interruptions. 

Focus on sound

Everybody is different, so sound—or lack thereof—will differ based on your individual needs. If you prefer quiet, make sure there are no interruptions that can keep you from achieving complete relaxation. If you can’t stand the quiet, focus on sounds that relax you, such as white noise, ocean waves or running water...anything that will help you get in the right headspace. 

Engage your senses

Whether it’s through yoga or a meditation guide, try to be present and aware of all your senses. This can also include a lighted candle for illumination, a weighted blanket for touch and feeling grounded, a calming tea for taste, essential oils in a diffuser for smell, and a plant or calming artwork for sight. 

Get to Zen

The most important thing to remember is creating time each day to get your calm on. Even if you can only dedicate 5-10 minutes to focus, meditate and relax, make it a priority. Not only will it help you de-stress, but it will also help prevent you from burning out. Follow the guidance of a meditation app or spend time focusing on deep breathing. Your mind (and body) will thank you.