Reflections on the ups and downs I experienced post-pandemic, and how meditation has helped my mental health. Through personal insights, I discuss finding peaceful spots for meditation, both outdoors and indoors, and suggest creating calming environments with natural elements. The potential benefits of nude meditation and the role of wellness spaces are also highlighted.
Note: This post explores the psychological and wellbeing benefits of naturism within biophilic environments. It contains illustrations depicting nudity and the human form.
A period of change
The last few years have had their ups and downs for me, and for many others as we emerged into our post-pandemic world of seemingly ever more uncertainty. New ways of working and the stresses of a high cost of living have taken their toll on mental health.
Now, I am not a therapist, and I don’t pretend to be able to offer advice, but I can say that taking fifteen to thirty minutes out of my day for meditation has done me the power of good.
I started with guided meditations (and there are some good sources available online), but now I tend to guide myself. The key is to really notice how you feel, and that includes how your body feels in relation to the space you are in.
It is possible to meditate almost anywhere, although quiet places are best. When distractions are minimized, and the place where you are meditating is calm, I think the process becomes more effective.
Connecting with nature
Connecting with nature makes a positive difference, as that reduces stress before you even start. Just being in a natural environment has been shown to reduce stress and improve wellbeing – even if only for as little as ten minutes a day. Find a quiet spot, notice how you feel and take time.
Having a literal connection with the Earth and the air can make the experience more profound. If you have access to a place where you can undress and experience nature in your most natural state, then you may uncover more than just your skin. For me, and I can speak only for myself, a state of nudity in nature when meditating reveals not only a connection with nature, but a realisation of our own place in nature.
Of course, finding such a place to go may be difficult. Not everyone is comfortable with the idea of being naked in a potentially public place (and in some countries, that may also be illegal, although thankfully not in the UK). So, what are the alternatives?
If you are lucky, you may have a quiet, secluded garden. Being able to step through your back door into your own private space is a luxury, but one that need not be expensive. Some simple screening with plants and the placement of items such as water features or a sculpture can help create a naturalistic feel and still allow a deep connection with nature. A patio or terrace can be put to good use too.
Indoor spaces
Meditation should be comfortable and sometimes that means having to avoid bad weather. This is where the principles of biophilic design can be used to create indoor spaces that evoke a sense of being in nature, even when actually being in nature is not practical.
This means using a combination of elements including using natural materials, plants, natural colour schemes and textures. The most important thing is to be free from distractions and to feel comfortable.
Meditation is all about noticing how you feel. When it works well, you get into a state of calm, relaxation and mental clarity. Having that interrupted by noise or sudden changes in light or temperature can spoil things.
In the home, a living room or bedroom can be ideal. So, how could you set about creating an aletheic space for meditation?
Here are some general principles.
Mindful decluttering
Regardless of the room’s primary function, the most crucial step is to keep the space free from unnecessary distractions and clutter, so if possible, keep non-essential items stored away and out of sight when not in use.
Natural materials and colours
A palette of subtle, natural colours like warm whites, greens and earthy tones can be relaxing. Use materials such as reclaimed wood for furniture, linen for soft furnishings, and wool or jute for rugs. This creates a calming, organic feel that connects you with nature.
Layered lighting
Instead of a single harsh overhead light, use multiple sources. Consider a floor lamp with a linen shade for soft, diffused light, and maybe a small, warm-toned lamp on a side table. This allows you to create a gentle ambiance for meditation that differs from the room’s everyday use.
A designated zone
Use a large rug to define the meditation zone. Use furniture, such a s a coffee table, which can be easily moved to the side when you want to meditate.
Plants
Incorporate a few large, statement houseplants in nice pots. Their large leaves will not only add a touch of nature but can also serve to create a sense of seclusion and privacy when you sit near them. Moss panels on the walls can also add some biophilic elements – they are tactile, green and also have good acoustic properties.
The bedroom as a meditative space
A bedroom is naturally a more private space, making it an intuitive choice for a meditation sanctuary. If floor space is limited, the bed itself can be used. the most important thing is to be able to focus on your feelings without distraction. Natural linen bedding in neutral colours would be ideal.
Adapting the Space for nude meditation
Your space should support your meditation practice without feeling forced or exposed, so try to position your meditation spot in a way that provides privacy. Remember, though, that the aletheic concept is also about uncovering something about your own nature in your environment. That slight sense of exposure or vulnerability can be quite revealing, so while protecting your own privacy, don’t lock yourself in.
The careful placement of plants can provide a sense of seclusion and privacy while allowing light to permeate the space through the foliage.
Using foliage near windows and light sources can also create wonderful shadows, which can be used to create areas of partial concealment and intimacy, allowing you to feel both exposed to the environment and protected within it.
Spas and wellness spaces
Many health clubs, spas and other wellness spaces provide space for meditation. These days, even some workplaces provide wellness rooms (although they are often not used as in some organizations, their use can be viewed as a sign of weakness, which many people do not want to risk).
I think that there is an opportunity for health spas, hotels and other wellness spaces – beyond existing naturist clubs – to offer space for nude meditation. Not everyone that would use such spaces would consider themselves naturists or be members of a naturist club or society, but may very well wish to take advantage of a space where they could disrobe and make a complete, unconcealed connection with nature.
This is also an opportunity for naturist venues to widen their offer and open some of their spaces up for focused activities such as solo nude mediation. This could make it easier for some people to consider aspects of naked wellness without having to jump into the full gamut of more traditional naturist activities.
Interested in an aletheic space for your home or naturist club?
Get in touch to book a consultation and let’s design a calming, authentic environment together.
