Unpopular opinion: So you think meditation sucks. Try these 5 clever alternatives instead

Like DIY sourdough, learning how to meditate skyrocketed in popularity during quarantine. And while it felt like all your in-the-know friends were raving about ohm-ing at home, you were dealing with a problematic truth: You really dislike meditation, and stillness and silence actually make your stress spike. “Many of my patients tell me that meditation is like hearing nails on a chalkboard,” says Dr. Sara Gottfried, a Harvard-educated, board-certified MD and author of three New York Times bestselling books. “If meditation isn’t for you, you’re not alone. There are many other ways to reset.” Here are a few of her favorite no-ohm alternatives:

\r\n\r\nWhen channeling your chill, remember: What works for your friends might not work for you—and that’s OK. Dr. Gottfried advises easing into it: “As you search for the right fit, set a goal of short duration—about 10 minutes—so it’s an easy win. And if you can’t do 10 minutes, don’t stress, start with five then.”"", ""_numbered_items_4_text"": ""field_609edbd21c700"", ""numbered_items"": 5, ""_numbered_items"": ""field_609edbaa1c6fe"" }, ""align"": """", ""mode"": ""edit"" } /-->"