Zen Attitude in the homeCreating a Zen-like Home

After coming home from a long day, your home should be a breath of fresh air. A home should be a place that, upon entering, you feel renewed. Even if your outside world was not what you hoped, your inside world should be a place of peace. To-do lists should not have to pop into your head the second you step through your front door. Don’t get me wrong, everyone has laundry, dishes, and other projects here and there. But it shouldn’t be drudgery. You can create a place that you can breathe freely without clutter, without major projects, and without distractions.

What is Zen?

Zen is not a religious ideal. It is about living in the now. It is about loving your family, friends, and yourself. Zen is accepting that the world does not bend to our wishes but finding peace with whatever cards are dealt. It is learning when to act and when to allow yourself to feel through an experience. On the iGOZEN website the Zen principles are broken down simply as:

  • Have integrity: Do what you say. Say what you mean.
  • Be open-minded and entertain all possibilities: The world is infinitely possible for those who are willing to listen and dream.
  • Do more with less: Continue to challenge yourself on how to make things better.
  • Be authentic: Let your authentic self guide you from within. Trust that you have the answer in you.
  • Put yourself in other’s shoes: Before you think negative of others, put yourself in their shoes.
  • Be humble and generous: Just remember you did not become who you are without someone’s help. Be generous with your praise and give credit to others.
  • Be happy and live with no regrets: We only live once so make every moment the best it can be,” (iGOZEN.com).

But How Do I Bring Zen Into My Home?

When you bring health and wellness into your home you bring in a touch of Zen! Did you know that studies have shown that certain lighting in your home can contribute to illness? Mike Elgan reported the following ailments from bad lighting on houzz.com in his column “Get Your Light Right for a Healthy House”:

  • Weight gain
  • Degraded eyesight
  • Depression
  • Promote cancer…and more

Most of us have made the change from incandescent bulbs to save energy.  But there is more to finding the right lighting in your home than which lampshade to choose!

Let the Light Shine In!

Throw open those shades and curtains! If your neighbor’s bedroom window is always uncovered and their house is dreadfully close, it’s no wonder you keep those shades closed! But there are shades you can choose that will allow in more natural light, even when they are closed. There are window films you can apply to allow in light but distort the ability for anyone to see in or out. When natural sunlight is not available, you can switch to a soft incandescent bulb. Incandescent bulbs won’t expose you to UV lighting like a CFL. However, they are not as energy efficient. If you have replaced the incandescent bulbs in your home, like many of us have, then using warm-white CFLs will give you plenty of light. There are times when we need brighter light for detailed tasks. When this is the case, instead of raising the wattage of the CFL, try a halogen light. While they are not as efficient as CFLs, halogen lights will not expose you to the UV radiation that CFLs will. Whenever possible, let the natural light shine. Hanging decorative mirrors can maximize the natural light in your home. Painting rooms with softer, lighter colors like white or pale greens instead of darker ones will also help change the lighting in your home. Proper lighting is one way to bring Zen into your home and create an atmosphere you love.  

Applications & Resources

  • Go to Mother Nature Network for more on saving your eyes by choosing the right lighting
  • Check out Freshome Design & Architecture and get inspired to bring a little Zen into your home
  • Most important trust your instincts. Think of that place that brings you the most peace and find ways to bring that place into your home.

 

iGOZEN is a way of life that incorporates the principles of Zen into everything we touch. Our products are dedicated to bringing you peace of mind. We hope you enjoy our articles and blogs as we try to pass on what we learn along the way. We encourage you to enjoy your journey and find ways to bring peace and balance into your life. From what we eat to how we clean we want to help you create a toxic-free environment that promotes healing. Try our iGOZEN products for a safe alternative to traditional food washes and house cleaning.