4 Tips to Transforming Your Landscaping Into a Mindfulness Retreat
Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment. While you can practice it anywhere that you are, design your backyard landscaping to be your own mindfulness retreat. That way, you will have less stress in your life and be ready to take on even bigger projects. Use these tips to design your landscaping.
Create a Retreat
While your whole backyard should be a private oasis, create an area where you can sit and read, meditate and relax. Think about incorporating some type of seating such as a hammock chair under a large leafy tree. You may also want to include a hammock if you prefer to lie down. Make the area restful to you by incorporating potted plants and other features.
Focus on Sounds
Even if you live in the middle of Las Vegas, it is still possible to create soothing sounds in your backyard. If you have noisy neighbors, then consider planting a row of evergreen trees or shrubs to help block out the sound. Additionally, consider planting flowers and other types of plants that birds enjoy visiting allowing you to listen to their beautiful song.
Use Different Textures Underfoot
Many people find it helpful to stroll through their landscaping barefoot while thinking about the different textures under their feet. You may want to incorporate the traditional elements of a Zen garden into your landscaping where you can feel them with your feet. Those elements include pebbles, rocks, trees, mosses and water.
Plant Smell-Good Plants
In order to give your mind something to think about, you may want to plant some aromatic plants along paths in your landscaping. Be careful that you do not plant them too close together or their fragrance can become overwhelming. Spicy, woodsy, fresh and floral make up the four fragrant groups. Keeping them in mind can help you choose the right plants.
Many people find that mindfulness helps them stay rooted in the present while freeing their minds to think creatively. A great place to practice mindfulness is in your own Las Vegas backyard landscaping.