05/10/2026
The definition of the word ‘meditation’ is the practice of focusing your mind on a single object, thought, or activity to train attention, achieve mental clarity, and promote calm.
So in the seated types of activities that we think of as meditation, that focused point could be the breath, a repeated word, or a sound.
My favourite meditations are alternate nostril breathing and humming, but there are other types of activities that also act like meditations.
Engaging in repetitive tasks like sewing, knitting or walking triggers what psychologists call “flow”, which is a state of optimal consciousness where you become fully immersed in what you are doing.
And actions that require both hands or rhythmic left-right movement occupy your brain’s processing power, leaving less room for anxious thoughts.
Sewing, knitting, embroidery, painting, drawing, pottery, walking, running, swimming, gardening, cooking, and washing the dishes are all examples of mindful movements that naturally bring your mind into a state of deep focus, calm, and present-moment awareness.
What activities do you do that feel meditative to you?