5 Zen-Inspired Tips to Create a Productive Home Office

Hunkered down in our bunkers, staring compulsively at our screens, self-isolated and anxious … It’s just another day working from home office.

While we can’t change the restrictions on our lives or the dangers of the outside world, we can change the way we live within the walls of our home office. We can make our home offices pleasant spaces for productivity rather than stressful reminders of work left unfinished.

We can learn a lot from the rituals of Zen Buddhism when it comes to lifestyle and aesthetic choices. By applying some of these ancient wisdoms, we can turn that cluttered corner of the living room or spare bedroom into a dream sanctuary.

At home office, we can relax, think, and have some well-deserved alone time — while being focused and productive when it’s time to get down to business.

Like a proper dressing room where you can polish your look or a bathroom where you can refresh your body, a good office space should be a place where you can refine your inner sensibilities and enrich your soul.

Follow these five steps to create your own work space without clutter and distractions.

1. Bring a Piece of Nature Inside

Plants represent the balanced forces in Nature. They can subconsciously instill a Zen head space and spark simple joy while also acting as air purifiers.

Try to avoid busy colours or complex floral arrangements. Keep it simple, natural, and green. Consider using sleek plants such as an indoor palm, asparagus setaceus, or orchid.

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2. Unclutter the Space

Zen concepts for design revolve around clean and uncluttered living that maintains balance, order, and upholds ancient customs.

Uncluttering is as much a process of organizing your mind as it is of organizing your stuff. The external and internal are related and feed off of each other.

The home office is a kingdom of books and all kinds of random files and documents. Use shelves, boxes, and portable carriers to organize everything neatly.

Remove everything from view except what you are using at the moment for clarity and success.

Remember, less is more. Emptiness is efficiency.

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3. Let the Sunshine In

A key element for a good Zen environment is to have natural lighting. The work-desk is best located near a window. But don’t place your desk directly under a window unless there is some kind of covering to soften the light as it comes in.

A refreshing view of nature can also create well-being, (see our latest article on classical window design).

Big windows are almost always preferred, but if you’re working with a smaller space, use a light neutral paint on the wall, and add a lamp with quality bulbs to make the space feel bigger and more pleasant.

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4. Have A Cup of Tea

When you are stressed or tired, take a 10 minute break with your own version of a tea ceremony: a Zen ritual or mini-meditation in which you’re mindful of your five senses, present, breathing, and most importantly, not looking at the news. Enjoy the natural view, smell the fragrance of the tea leaves, and taste the flavours as you hold each sip in your mouth for an extra moment. You will become more focused and happy when you return to your work.

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5. Create a Zen Mood

Burn a stick of incense or diffuse a few drops of essential oils to create a zen aroma that nourishes your body and soul.

Specific smells trigger our brains in different ways. For example, if you are stressed, try the grounding smell of Frankincense or cedarwood. Want to get creative? Go with cinnamon. Want to relax? Lavender and clary sage will ease the burden of your day. And add in some Amber to boost your immune system.

Hope you can follow these tips and make your home office a place to connect with your inner self, remove unnecessary clutters, and focus on what’s really important.

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