Buzz
My mind is always buzzing—sitting still, closing my eyes, and taking deep breaths doesn’t bring calmness, much less a state of bliss. Instead, it’s when all the negative thoughts rise to the surface, creating what feels like the complete opposite of peace.
I’m not the only one who feels this way: Many individuals who attempt meditation struggle with it. However, calming the mental chaos is crucial, and there are alternative methods to achieve this, all of which go beyond traditional meditation practices.
Consider “unmeditation” or active meditation techniques
Earlier this year, I met with Becca Williams to explore her unique approach, which she refers to as “unmeditation.” Williams, a dietician and nutritionist, designed her program to address her personal struggles. She initially attempted traditional mindfulness meditation to quiet her racing thoughts but found it too difficult to overcome the mental noise.
Instead, she created her own method, which she suggests combining with cannabis (though we skipped this part since it was a professional setting). During our Zoom session, Williams guided me to breathe rapidly and deeply with my eyes closed and hands resting on my lap. This was the most intense meditation I’ve ever tried—it felt more like a workout, which is precisely the goal.
“My approach involves a highly active form of meditation that incorporates intense breathing techniques, resonant vocalizations, and dynamic movements of the upper body, arms, hands, and fingers,” Williams explains. This method aims to “acknowledge and work with the mind’s tendency to race, rather than forcing it to slow down.”
This is a variation of active meditation, a concept that isn’t entirely new. However, Williams has refined her practice to flip traditional mindfulness on its head, encouraging negative emotions to surface so they can be directly addressed.
She shares with Mytour:
This highly active meditation technique allows the practitioner to release built-up energy, helping them slow down and feel more grounded. Unlike traditional silent meditation, this method encourages individuals to confront and focus on the most pressing thoughts in their mind—
such as stress, anxiety, self-doubt, anger, or despair
—bringing them to the surface for acknowledgment.
Ultimately, Williams believes her method enables people to “acknowledge, address, and let go of the mental clutter that disrupts their peace.”
Explore Other Meditation Alternatives That Might Suit You
These meditation alternatives provide diverse paths to the same goal: achieving calm and contentment. The advantage is that if one method doesn’t resonate with you, another one might.
Journaling: Writing down your thoughts can be a therapeutic activity, particularly when you’ve been holding back emotions. There are various types of journals to explore, and it goes beyond simply maintaining a diary.
Martial arts: Practicing martial arts can achieve a similar effect to meditation by anchoring you in the present moment. It challenges both your body and mind, offering insights into yourself along the way.
Cleaning: Believe it or not, cleaning can be meditative. Advocates recommend immersing yourself in the sensory aspects of cleaning. Feel the textures, listen to the sounds, and notice how tension leaves your body.
Yoga: Known for its meditative benefits, yoga is also a fantastic way to build physical strength. Like martial arts, mastering yoga poses often requires mental focus, making it an excellent practice for calming the mind.
Music: Listening to calming music can significantly quiet the mind, as it transports you away from intrusive thoughts. Create a relaxing atmosphere with a bath, candles, and a playlist that soothes your soul.
