Create a Zen home
Adding simple, calming elements to your home can make a huge difference to your mental well-being
While most of us try and find new ways to beat stress, we seldom realise that our own living space may hold the answer. Making small changes in one’s home, adding elements of nature or Zen elements, can make a huge difference to the way one feels. And many people across the world are now opting for Zen-inspired interiors to create a calm and meditative space to live in.
Zen is a Japanese concept that is essentially a way of life and a Zen home is a space that reflects this concept. It is a space that is relaxing, contemplative and reflects balance and harmony. Fasana Alisha Caesar, an interior designer who runs The Zen Theory, states that requests for zeninspired spaces have definitely increased in the last few years. “I have created small Zen gardens in many homes. Adding Zen elements to the home can improve one’s state of mind,” she says. Jhansi Paturi, principal designer at Cutting Edge Design Studio, adds that today more people want indoor plants, which makes the house look beautiful and creates a sense of calm. “Today people are choosing calming colours and going for earthy elements. This makes one feel a lot closer to nature and creates a tranquil feeling,” she says.
SO, IF YOU ARE WONDERING HOW TO ADD ZEN TO YOUR HOME, HERE ARE A FEW WAYS TO DO SO.
1) Create a Zen garden: A Zen garden is a miniature landscape that symbolises the different aspects of nature. It is a space one often uses for meditation. But don’t worry, you don’t need a large yard or a huge open space to create this. Even a small space in your balcony is enough to create a miniature Zen garden. “All you need is some rocks, sand and plants. You can make a DIY tray with sand, create sand patterns, have a stone arrangement and a few plants. You can even add a small waterfall and your Zen garden in ready,” says Alisha.
plants: Indoor plants not only enhance the beauty of your living space, they also improve its air quality. In addition, studies have often shown the benefits of being around plants on mental health. From reduced stress to improved productivity,
2) Add
indoor
mood and concentration, the benefits are many. “ZZ or Zanzibar Gem, fiddle fig, areca palms are some indoor plants you can add to your home. You can also place succulents on the table,” says Alisha. “Apart from keeping plants in the balcony, now many people are opting for simple units for plants that can be placed in the living room. Hanging plants and wallmounted plants are popular. They brighten up the room and make it beautiful,” adds Mohammad Imran of LH Interiors.
3) Use calming colours: Use of soothing and earthy colours can make the house feel more serene. “Earlier people would use bright
colours on the accent wall. Now people prefer earthy colours. Bright reds can cause anxiety. Use of pastels, shades of white, beige creates a calm ambience,” says Jhansi.
4) Add stone features: Stone artefacts, statues or just rocks of different sizes, shapes, and colours placed in different formations can add to the natural look of your home. “There are different kinds of stone artefacts one can bring home. Many people even like having stone statues at home like the Buddha statues,” says Alisha. “Natural stone settings at home gives the home a rustic look and is an easy way of bringing nature home,” adds Jhansi.
5) Add a water element:
Water
symbolises tranquillity, believes Alisha. “Even the sound of water in the homes has a relaxing effect,” she says. Scientists have stated that that the rhythm of waves and tides can affect the rhythm of the neuronal “waves” in our brain, encouraging a more peaceful pace of thought. You can have a small waterfall in your yard or you can get a small water fountain that can be easily placed anywhere in your home or balcony. The effect of water will help you stay calm, reminding you of being close to a brook or a river.
6) Incorporate earthy elements:
While earlier contemporary styles were popular, now most people go for earthy elements, states Jhansi. “Exposed brick walls, plants, stones, logs of wood are all being used increasingly in home interiors. I have made partitions in my home using logs of wood. Having elements of nature at home, feels like living in harmony with nature,” she adds.
lights: Having soft lighting at home can also add to a feeling of calm. “Instead of harsh, fluorescent lights or uniform bright lights, one can use soft, mood lighting, that can be used during meditation or when you want to relax,” says Jhansi. Also, let in as much natural light in as possible during the day.
7) Use
soft
Across
1. Move (8)
7. Animal jail (5)
8. Glossy fabric (5)
9. Fall off (6)
10. Accurate (4)
12. Slap (4)
14. Ceremonious (6)
17. Tend to (5)
18. Imperturbable selfcontrolled person (5)
19. Source of wealth
(4,4)
Down
1. Defeats decisively
(5)
2. Account book (6)
3. Suit for trial (4)
4. Private instructor (5)
5. Job seeker (9)
6. Weave (9)
11. Miniaturised tree (6)
13. Abstain from (5)
15. Elk (5)
16. Go first (4)
Slated to hit the theatres on 12th March, the dancebased film is the first one that the actress had shot for, opposite Sooraj Pancholi, in the United Kingdom. However, the film was shot a couple of years ago and had been awaiting release. In the meantime, Isabelle did another film called Kwatha opposite Aayush Sharma, which she also wrapped up the shoot for.
The actress is now shooting for her third film, which is directed by Dhiraj Kumar and is called Suswagatham Khushamdeed, opposite Pulkit
Samrat. Pulkit, incidentally, is the
Time to Dance
third protégé of Salman Khan — after Sooraj, whom he’d launched in the 2015-film Hero, and his brother-in-law Aayush Sharma, whom he’d launched in the 2018-film Love Yatri. Aayush will share screen space with Salman in the upcoming film, Antim.
According to sources, the pandemic caused a delay in her film hitting the marquee. “It has taken a while for Isabelle to finally launch into Bollywood, she now may have three back-to-back releases in the coming few months.” Time to Dance has been directed by Remo D’Souza’s former assistant Stanley Menino D’Costa and is co-produced by his wife Lizelle and Bhushan Kumar.
Slated to hit the theatres on 12th March, Time to Dance is the first film that the actress had shot for, opposite Sooraj Pancholi