Have you ever been there? You know that meditation is a proven way to calm your mind and find inner peace. But every time you try to sit down and meditate, you’re overwhelmed by a feeling of utter boredom. How can you meditate without falling into this trap of dullness? Fear not, I am here to give you 5 fun ways to meditate!
1. Laughter meditation
You may have seen this technique on TV or the internet. It’s especially popular in group settings in Germany. As I am Dutch, of course I say it’s so effective because Germans don’t have a sense of humor. 😜 But that’s a topic for another blog!
Laughter is one of the best ways to reduce stress and improve your mood. Laughter meditation is a meditation technique where you focus on laughing and the feeling of joy that comes with it. To apply this technique, you can start with a smile and let your laughter grow.
Try to think of something funny or remember a funny situation from the past. Let your laughter expand to a loud laugh and keep laughing as long as possible. This technique can help you forget your worries and relax your mind.
An alternative route
If you can’t think of anything funny or if you’re feeling grumpy, start with a simple “ha”. Add exactly one “ha”. And another one. Keep going until you burst out laughing!
2. Animal meditation
Animal meditation is a fun way to meditate. In this technique, you focus on an animal and visualise yourself as that animal. Imagine yourself as a cat lazily sleeping in the sun, or as a bird soaring through the air. Use your imagination to imagine what it would be like to be that animal and experience the peace that comes with it. This technique can help calm your mind and connect with nature.
How it works
The best way to start with animal meditation is to find a quiet place where you feel comfortable. This can be either indoors or outdoors. Once you’ve found the perfect spot, sit or lie down and close your eyes. Start by taking deep breaths and focus on the rhythm of your breathing.
Becoming the beast
Now you can start visualizing yourself as the animal of your choice. Think about how the animal moves, the sounds it makes, and how it feels in its environment. If you’re having trouble imagining yourself as the animal, look at pictures or videos of the animal to help you get a better picture.
As you go deeper into the meditation, you can try to become aware of the sensations in your body and mind. Notice if you feel calm or tense and why that is. This can help you gain more insight into yourself and your emotions.
3. Funny mantras
Mantras are words or phrases that are repeated to calm the mind. But luckily they don’t always have to be serious mantras! You can come up with your own funny mantras to make meditation more enjoyable.
Create something unusual
For example, try repeating one of the following mantras:
- I’m as calm as a cucumber
- I’m so damn good at being a chaos
- I’m not lazy, I’m just in energy-saving mode
- My body is a temple. A temple where fast food is the only acceptable offering
- I can multitask. I can do at least three things half-baked at the same time
With one of these mantras, you might even unintentionally end up in a laughter meditation!
4. Musical meditation
Music can be a powerful way to calm the mind and bring it to rest. Choose your favorite song and use it as background music for your meditation session. Let the music take you on a journey of relaxation and joy.
Or… other soothing sounds
You can also choose pleasant sounds, such as the chirping of dolphins or whales, bird song, the sound of rain, or the rhythm of waves on the beach to make your meditation session lighter.
5. Meditation in motion
You don’t always have to sit during meditation. You can also apply meditation while you are in motion. A fun way to do this is to walk and meditate at the same time. Focus on your breathing and feel how your feet touch the ground. Imagine that every step you take brings you closer to inner peace.
Other forms of meditative movement
There are more options you can try, such as yoga, dance, or tai chi. These activities not only help calm your mind but also relax your body.
In short, meditation doesn’t have to be boring and serious! By adding humor to your meditation routine, you can relax your mind and enjoy the process. Try these funny ways to apply meditation and discover which one works best for you.
Happy meditating!
