Is ‘meditation’ really the best word for relaxing and clearing your head? No. And if you ask me not-meditating is more appealing. So here’s how you do it.

In our boundless work culture saturated with stress and insomnia the injunction to meditate is ubiquitous.

Honestly, I find the mere thought of ‘picking up meditation’ exhausting.

It seems meditation is yet another task on a busy day, a routine people claim with expected admiration.

I am not looking for spiritual salvation or an ego-boost, I need to clear my head. That’s it.

More often than not I come across meditation advice soaked in fragmented metaphysics, serene smiles, white robes, and, frankly, more than a hint of smugness.

I just want to unwind a bit. In inglorious dissonance with my abilities and shortcomings, preferably.

For me a simple ‘breathing technique’ is adequate to unwind a bit and clear my head. Sometimes I power nap instead.

So no, thank you – I am not meditating.

I am just catching my breath on a busy day.

Catch your breath

  1. Sit in a chair or lay on something comfortable – if you insist on a lotus position that’s ok too I guess 🙂

  2. Plug in some non-vocal music or monotonous sound – I can recommend a quick search for ‘pink noise’.

  3. Take one deep breath in through your nose, down into your belly, let go – exhale through your mouth.

  4. Breathe: Count your breath inhaling and exhaling through your nose.

  5. Count slowly, following your breath.

  6. Count the same number for each inhale and exhale e.g. one in one out, two in two out, etc.

  7. If your mind wanders, don’t start over just return to the count.

  8. Start with a slow count to ten.

Congratulations!

You have now relaxed but not mediated thus you feel a little better without the responsibility of connecting to the cosmos or trying to be better than everybody else 🙂

PS Counting breaths for a few minutes is just one of several ways to incorporate breathing space into your day, there are many others. I am always on the lookout for new ideas so drop me a line at kristine@vitalitylab.com with your hack for unwinding while maintaining an active mind.