How to make a “Zenful” shirt

Are you finding yourself stressed out with the daily grind of life and wish that you could feel a bit more Zen?  Feeling centered and in control are important skills in learning to handle feelings of anxiety and tension.  Of course you can visit a therapist, do deep breathing exercises, physical activities or mediate to practice conquering your anxiety, but we have developed a new idea to accompany these useful tools: make a Zen shirt. 

You are probably asking yourself: “What is a Zen shirt?” or “How can a shirt help my anxiety?”  The concept of developing a Zen shirt is transferring particular emotions and feelings to an object, in this case a shirt, which will be a helpful reminder of focusing on these certain emotions to be more abundant.  For instance, say you decided that you want to make a Zen shirt (keep reading to find out how), first you need to bring yourself to a calm and peaceful state.  You can do this through meditation, deep breathing, journaling, or whatever gets you to a relaxed state. 

Next, begin the process of designing your shirt through our online builder.  It’s important to remember to remain calm and peaceful during the creation of the shirt.  Try to develop a strong association with feelings you experienced while making the shirt and the shirt itself.  Down the road when you are feeling out of control and stressed out, simple put on your Zen shirt.  Visualize the feelings you but into the shirt, and feel calmness wash over you taking your worries away.  This may take practice, but this can be a great tool in accompany with other stress reducing techniques to help you de-compress and chill.

How do you make a Zen shirt? It varies from person to person, for example my Zen shirt maybe a picture of the ocean, but if you have a fear of water…that probably wouldn't be a good choice for you.  Here are some tips for making a Zen shirt:

Color:  Color can play an important role in changing your mental state and emotional feelings.  Many people find tranquil colors such as: teal, jade green, mauve or a stone gray calming and relaxing.  Others may find colors like red and black more appealing because they are grounding colors and help you feel in more control and centered. It’s important for you to find colors that will enhance the kind of mood you are trying to cultivate.  If you are having trouble choosing a color, try to get some inspiration from going for a walk or looking at different colors around you.  If you are drawn to a particular color or find a certain color soothing, they may just be the color that will work for you.

                Image:  Choose imagery that you enjoy and that envelops you in feelings of relaxation.  You may want to pick a realistic image that can virtually transport you to a place of peace, or you may pick an abstract symbol that you find comforting.  For some examples of symbols that enhances feelings of connectedness and peace are: the yin-yang, Enso (Zen circle), the olm, religious symbols, a peace sign, Reiki symbols, or a Celtic tree of life.  Whatever design you choose, it’s important to pick one that speaks to you.

                Words:  Some people may find that words are a better fit for their Zen shirts.  A quote from the Dali lama, Ghandi, or Deepak Chopra may resonate with you, while others might find using a personal mantra may work better.  Self-affirmations are also great ideas for a Zen shirt.

We hope that these helpful tips will aid you on the journey of making your perfect Zen shirt.  Everyone can use less stress in today’s society, and we want to do whatever we can to help.