Words by Nikki Addison
What springs to mind when you think about meditation? Probably the stereotypical image of a person sitting cross-legged, palms facing up, eyes closed, silent and still. It’s an image of self-discipline and total peace – and yet in reality, this method doesn’t work for all of us. I’ve tried meditating in this way – many, many times – and for me, it never works. I cannot quiet my mind. My best friend, on the other hand, swears by her daily seated meditation sessions.
But there’s hope for those of us that do err on the restless side, that hate to sit still or have minds that refuse to quiet themselves. Because meditation doesn’t have to be performed in a seated, ultra-peaceful manner. In fact, Merriam Webster defines meditating simply as “to engage in contemplation or reflection” and “to focus one’s thoughts on; reflect on or ponder over”. If this is the case, then there are a bunch of alternative ways to meditate that also encourage this kind of mental focus. Find your meditation mojo with our round-up below.
Say namaste
Perhaps the most obvious alternative to traditional meditation is yoga. A recent study in the International Journal of Yoga examined its impact as a form of active meditation. It found that women who engaged in active meditation like yoga showed a significant improvement in their overall mood and their parasympathetic nervous system than women performing silent, seated meditation. Yoga is a fantastic way to connect with your breath and lose yourself in a flow, taking your mind off everyday concerns and allowing you to be in the moment.
Walk it out
Like yoga, walking is another form of meditation in motion. If you can’t sit, walk – but try to be intentional about it. You aren’t just going for a stroll; you’re aiming to engage in contemplation. If possible, try to walk somewhere in nature, rather than a residential area. This will allow you to better connect with the earth and your surroundings. A barefoot walk on the beach is the ultimate setting here! Focus on your body as you move, noticing how each body part feels and operates, the ground below you, the depth of your breath and the sensation of the sun or wind on your skin. You should feel calm and centred in no time and restored once it’s all over.
Colour it
Let’s be clear: colouring books are not just for kids. Adult colouring is a fantastic form of mindfulness practice. Calm busy minds by putting pencil to paper and engaging in this wholesome, rewarding activity. As you pay attention to staying within the lines, you are focused and present in that moment – no multitasking, no distractions. This kind of activity can introduce you to a meditative state where you are able to stop thinking about the past or future momentarily, and focus only on the here and now.
Baker’s Delight
Ask anyone who loves baking why they love baking, and they’ll likely say it’s therapeutic (as well as the obvious response: the baked goods). The process of baking is consuming; it involves care and thought, meaning you have to pay attention. Simple motions like mixing ingredients or kneading bread have a calming effect – and then there’s a satisfying end product, of course. If you haven’t already tried this method, we strongly encourage it.
