How to Practice Meditation Without Being a Mystical Hippie

A lot of people are turned-off by the thought of meditation because they have an image of someone sitting cross-legged with their palms turned up on their knees, or they think meditation is too ‘woo.’ I’m here to show you how you can get the benefits of meditation without the mystical-hippie-woo..

First, I have to clarify a couple of terms. To be woo or wu-wu is to be outlandishly mystical as defined by the Urban Dictionary. I would also like to differentiate between meditation and mindfulness. Meditation is a form of mindfulness. Mindfulness is being aware of your body, mind, and feelings in the present moment (Cambridge University). You don’t necessarily have to meditate to be mindful.

Meditation and mindfulness have similar benefits: reduce stress, improve sleep, lower blood pressure, improve weight loss, reduce negative emotions, improve creativity & clarity, reduce hot flashes…the list goes on and on. Almost everybody I know would love to reap these benefits but many are turned off by the stigma.

So, how do you improve your health without being a mystical hippie? Zoom out. Lose the idea that you have to meditate and find ways to fit mindfulness in your life. My guess is that you already practice mindfulness in some way, shape, or form. Even my special-needs son, Owen, does.

Here are 3 easy ways to be mindful:

1. Sit outside and observe nature. This is Owen’s favorite. Just sit and observe what is around you. That’s all. Listen to the birds, watch the leaves blow in the wind, smell the cut grass, feel the seat around you or the sun on your skin.

2. Mindful walking. Take a walk and observe the world around you. I prefer to do this without music because it allows me to be more present and not get distracted. Gardening, running, and fly fishing are also opportunities to be mindfully present.

3. Cuddle your pet. Take time to pet your cat or dog. Be present and in the moment. Pay attention to the texture of their fur, the places they enjoy being scratched, the rate of their breathing. Be in the moment.

The goal with any mindfulness practice is to be present, observe what is going on around you and let go of the to-do list in your mind. If this is a challenge, here’s one last tip, try a brain dump. I use this with clients to help them sleep better. Take a pen and paper and write down everything on your mind. Let all the crazy out. This will help you relax and clear your head.