Meditation has a lot of scientifically proven advantages, including the reduction of anxiety and depression, the prevention of sleeplessness, the improvement of attention, the creation of a more balanced state, and even the reduction of the risk of cardiovascular disease.
However, meditation is not for everyone. There is no need to be focused on bodily sensations to become more conscious, attentive, and calm, you may find equally beneficial activities that help you calm down. Below, we reviewed some useful alternatives to meditation that you'll love.
1. Walk in silence
Walking has been shown to stimulate mental functioning. As a result, we frequently get unusual thoughts, answers to issues we've been pondering for a long time, and ideas for new ventures when walking alone. Try not to drown out this flow in your thoughts with music or a podcast, even if it is incredibly interesting and informative. If you let go of this flow, you could be surprised at how quickly important issues that you've wanted to address but didn't know how would surface.
Walking, like meditation, evens out breathing, improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system, energizes and improves mood. Specialists recommend walking every day, at least for 20-30 minutes. A 40-minute walk can replace a workout with a moderate level of intensity. This allows you to strengthen your body and avoid many common problems such as back pain or headache without the risk of injury.
2. Try art
You don't have to be a skilled or talented artist to meditate with art. You can draw what you like and do it the way you like. You may start with the simplest way, such as a coloring book, and focus on the process rather than the form.
You may also get a fresh perspective on art by going to a museum or an intriguing gallery. You don’t have to create anything, frequently, just watching is enough to put you in a contemplative mood.
3. Dance like nobody’s watching
It may not sound obvious, but dancing is one of the oldest forms of meditation. Since the dawn of time, tribal communities have embraced percussion music and dance as a spiritual practice. You can dance alone or do it with your friends. Allow yourself to move freely without regard for how it looks from the outside. Listening to music or playing drums also have similar effects on the body. The existence of a defined rhythm unites these practices, making it easier to concentrate.
4. Clean your house
House cleaning sounds boring, but don't rush to skip this step. Monotonous processes such as sweeping or washing dishes immerse the body in a meditative state. Therefore, try to choose an activity to your liking and concentrate on the rhythm and monotony of the process. As a result, you will also get a cleaner and more organized home, which in turn will have a beneficial effect on your mood.
5. Eat Properly
Depreciating simple things is pretty detrimental to our minds. The problem with modern society is that we lose the ability to focus on a particular process. When was the last time you enjoyed the process of eating food? Today, eating is accompanied by endless scrolling through social networks or even happens on the run. Try to stop and pay attention to the taste of your food. Separate it into small components to feel its structure, smell, and temperature. Just eat, and do not swallow food uncontrollably.
The bottom line
All of us are very different and everybody needs an individual way to find balance. Some people need to slow down and watch, other people need movement to get back to a comfortable state. You can try different variations and invent new ways to find your perfect routine.
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