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5 alternatives to meditation to get in the Zen zone / By Shiri Brook-Sagie Another kind of Zen

stress-reducing, and good for processing feelings.

Journaling also helps to eliminate negative

Coloring mandalas The last time you did any coloring was probably in primary school, but adult coloring books have become increasingly popular in recent years. Coloring offers adults the opportunity to sit and focus on a task that is simple, and yet requires calm and concentration. Research has found that there are similar advantages to both coloring and meditation: it shuts off the brain and stops racing thoughts, helps you stay present in the moment, and reduces anxiety. So time to get yourself some coloring pencils and rediscover the joy of coloring! Our tip: get coloring books that are made for adults and with designs that you connect with – you’ll enjoy the activity tenfold.

thoughts and set goals for the future, as it allows you to organize your thoughts in a clear and structured manner. Our tip: add beauty to the process by getting a pretty notebook - attention to aesthetics is an important part of Zen rituals and routines. yourself what knitting has to do with Zen, and the answer might surprise you. Indeed, activities like knitting, sewing, and other such crafts that have been practiced for centuries, can have the same calming effects on the soul as meditation. Research has shown that knitting can reduce stress and anxiety, improve your ability to concentrate, improve memory, and even break problematic habits such as addictions of any kind. Our tip: always keep a pair of knitting needles in your bag so that you have them with you whenever you have a bit of time to kill – it’ll help you avoid mindless scrolling. Knitting You might be asking

need is a little box with fine sand, a few pebbles or any other tiny object you want. What are the Zen benefits of gardening you may wonder? Well, research has shown that any activity that connects us with nature, makes us feel more grounded and reduces anxiety. Also, the beauty of nature is good for the soul and watching the plants you have tended to, grow and thrive, gives a lot of satisfaction. Our tip: grow herbs to put in your tea and add a mindful tea ritual to your daily routine.

what could be more Zen inducing than that? The science behind it indeed corroborates this notion: when cooking is done mindfully, it allows you to focus, be completely in the moment, sharpen the senses, and feel calm and safe. Our tip: this isn’t necessarily for those days when you need to get a quick meal on the table for the kids. Mindful cooking is about taking all the time in the world to focus on the meal you are preparing. Journaling Journaling, or “manifesting” as it is sometimes called nowadays, has become more and more popular in recent years. Indeed, behind this wellness trend lies the belief that freewriting is therapeutic,

Gardening Gardening is a great

alternative to meditation for adding Zen to your life. And there’s no need to create the perfect Zen garden either – any time spent working in the garden will do the job. If you do however want your own Zen garden, all you

Cooking Spending time in the kitchen can also be a

great way to practice Zen. Chopping vegetables into tiny cubes, washing salad leaves one leaf at a time –

18 ATMOSPHERE JULY 2023