MOVING MEDITATION

Simple ways to slow down without sitting still

- ZOE SNELL

The benefits of meditation are countless, from reduced feelings of anxiety and stress, to increased compassion for yourself and others and even getting a better night’s sleep. Studies have even found that meditation can actually change the structure and function of your brain for the better.

So, yes, meditation should really be a part of your self-care routine. But if the thought of sitting still and trying to empty your mind instead fills it with racing thoughts of worry, fear not. We’ve rounded up three creative outlets so that you can practise mindfulness – the essence of meditation – while improving your mental health.

SEWING

“Research shows that craft activities like sewing release the feel-good hormone dopamine, while providing a distraction from worries, giving people a creative outlet, a sense of accomplishment and helping people feel happier,” reveals Ernest Arulkumar, managing director of Singer.

Using a sewing machine can be an incredibly mindful experience, thanks to its tactile elements and its ability to engage all your senses.

“You see the needle whiz up and down and hear the machine whirring and at the end you’ve created something beautiful you can actually wear,” says Arulkumar.

For someone who finds it difficult to switch off, the step-by-step process of sewing requires concentration and creativity, and also leads to a sense of accomplishment.

“During the process of creating your masterpiece, you enter a Zen-like state of flow and the distractions and worries of the outside world can slip away for a while,” Arulkumar says.