Timeless Tips for Making your
OUTDOORS EXTRAORDINARY
We all know the old saying, “hands in the soil, good for the soul.” In a celebration of spring and all things bright and beautiful, this month’s feature explores how to make the most of your outdoor space. Ten fun and creative suggestions that can be scaled up or down to suit your situation and to help you shrug off the gloom and get your outdoor offerings up scratch, ready for a strong summer season. So dig deep, daydream and let your outdoor inspo flow!
ARE YOU READY? ZEN, LET US BEGIN! THE MAGIC OF A MEDITATION GARDEN:
Finding peace amongst the pressures and stresses of life has never been more important. Guests flee cities and 9 to 5s, quite literally wanting to “escape to the country”. Creating a meditation garden is a fabulous addition to your site, giving guests the ultimate opportunity to reconnect and relax. The UK mental health charity Mind explains that meditation can help people become more self-
aware, feel calmer and less stressed, more able to choose how they respond to thoughts and feelings, cope with unhelpful thoughts and be kinder to yourself - what’s not to like?! As the roots of mediation are largely embedded in Buddhism, a statue of Buddha could take centre stage in your mediation garden, an homage to the inner peace and balance found in this ancient practice. A gentle water feature could add a calming soundscape, (we love this Buddha and lotus flower water feature from whitestores.co.uk https://www.whitestores.co.uk/ alena-water-feature-light-grey.html , currently on sale for £169). Windchimes can be hung from the branches of trees. Creating a low level seating area with soft cushions and throws will help guests get comfy and ready to unwind; this may also offer some protection from the elements should there be poor weather conditions. Why not plant some highly scented flowering shrubs to stir the senses and focus the mind?
Lilac, myrtle and orange blossom are great options and very easy to maintain. To finish, trees can be decorated with colourful Tibetan prayer flags that offer the timeless blessing: “May the rain fall at the proper time. May the crops and livestock be bountiful. May there be freedom from illness, famine, and war. May all beings be well and happy.” Amen to that! *Be sure to seek advice from your local authority, should you be considering permanent structures for your mediation space, as you may require planning permission. TOP TIP: Try providing some books in your space to introduce your guests to the art of meditation and mindfulness. There is also a wealth of free mindfulness and meditation apps such as Calm & Headspace that you can signpost guests to, should they be seeking guidance.
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