Is she smiling because her kids are back in school or because she’s meditating? Could very well be both.

If you’re cringing or rolling your eyes at the word “meditate,” I see you. The image of an old Buddhist monk sitting atop a mountain at dawn crosslegged with a fringe rug slung over his shoulder still floods the front of my mind when I hear the word “meditate.”

But! Thanks to the modern world of wellness (Goop in particular), meditating isn’t weird or woo woo anymore. It’s sexy.

Meditation has become popular because it’s effective. People utilize meditation techniques to destress and improve their focus. The kicker? It isn’t so much how to meditate, as it is when you meditate. Really, all meditating is is taking time out to breathe, relax, and recharge.

So, whether you’re new to meditating or you are a mindfulness master, I bring you 5 creative ways to meditate that are as easy as 1-2-3 to incorporate into your daily lives.

Before I get into these though, remember that the point of meditation is to bring a heightened state of awareness to your mind and body — something that really comes in handy when we feel overwhelmed, anxious, depressed, lonely or angry.

5 Creative Ways To Meditate

1. Meditate while you’re brushing your teeth. According to a pediatric dentist (my brother-in-law), we should be brushing our teeth for 2 minutes, 2 times a day. Instead of letting the dog out, turning on the coffee pot, making the bed, and picking out your outfit while you brush your teeth in the morning, try standing in the bathroom for 2 whole minutes meditating while brushing your teeth. All you’re doing here is grounding yourself before the day starts.

2. Meditate while you’re walking your dog. Instead of listening to your go-to podcast on your dog walks, or just before you put your earbuds in, take 5 deep breaths. While you’re taking those breaths, think about something you are grateful for, or are looking forward to. That’s it. You meditated.

3. Meditate while you’re cooling down from a workout. I’ve been utilizing the 5-minute cool down rides on my Peloton lately, and have been finding this an excellent time to meditate. Aka switch from workout mode to focus mode. When my instructor tells me the cool down is over, that means my meditation session is over.

4. Meditate when you’re eating lunch. Mindful eating is a thing. For the most part, many of us are bad eaters. What I mean is, we either forget to eat, we overeat, or we eat bad foods. (Nutritionists would argue there is no such thing as “bad foods” but that’s another newsletter). When you sit down at a table to eat your meal — without looking at your phone — you eat slower and you enjoy the taste of your food. You recognize when you feel satisfied (not full), and it’s actually an enjoyable experience that recharges you.

5. Meditate instead of checking Instagram or Facebook. You know when you feel the urge to look at your phone out of boredom? Or you’re hoping that that magical email or text came through without notifying you? We’ve gotten into a gross habit of checking our phones during every little time lull in our days. The digital addiction truly is out of control. So, next time you’re standing in the grocery line or waiting in the car to pick your kids up from school, try meditating instead of scrolling through Twitter. Your mind (and your mood) will thank you for it.

Meditation Takeaway

Meditation offers more than a temporary stress relief. When practiced daily, it turns us into more confident, more self-aware, more productive human beings.

So, Take a Sip of Meditation. And let me know how it goes.

Happy almost long weekend! And apparently the Kentucky Derby weekend!

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Be you.

XOXO,

Ashley

PS! Are you new here? Welcome to Take A Sip. The Tuesday + Thursday newsletter that provides you with advice and life lessons meant to make your mind happier. Some days we will Take A Sip of Confidence, others A Sip of Style, and others yet A Sip of Wellness. No matter what we’re sipping, we’ll be doing it together. Thanks for being here, and thanks for being you.