Fun/interesting mindfulness or meditation?

[Shan5474]

I would like to do more meditation and mindfulness but I find most videos and recordings really dull, I just get bored and feel I don’t want to do it again even though I actually do want to do it because I know it’s good for me in the long run. Any recommendations for fun or interesting ones? Even if they’re for kids 😂

It's only good for you if you enjoy it and get something out of it! Otherwise just indulge in some good old daydreaming. Much more fun 😁

If you get bored with meditation you might be better doing an activity which is absorbing and enjoyable which ultimately will give you much the same benefit - something where you get in the 'flow' - ideally it should challenge you a little without being overwhelming and also achieve something. Can be as simple as painting, sketching, making bread, qi-jong, knitting, learning to play an instrument, whatever floats your boat really.

I do quite a bit of crafting but I find it has the opposite effect, because I’m an over thinker it’s easy to get lost in my thoughts. Exercise helps keeps my focus but there’s only so much I can do per day. Perhaps I need to find a more challenging craft!

I know what you mean, it's a matter of experimentation to find something you really need to focus on to take you out of overthinking, if it's too easy it's no good, you also need to get joy from what you're doing. As for meditation, it takes trial and error too, I've really hated some of the most popular ones and find them really irritating which defeats the purpose 😂. Personally I like the Let's Meditate app, it's free, no ads and relies on donations only, but even on that there's only a few I really like and use regularly. Hopefully someone else on here has more inspiration for you! Good luck in finding something that works for you.

I'm the same op
I find walking and gardening effective.

You could trying joining an online meditation group that includes music and readings and chat as well as meditation?

You don’t actually need to listen to anything to meditate. I see the recordings as a bit like stabiliser wheels - you can drop them when you’ve worked it out.
Sit or lie somewhere comfortable. I like sitting on a cushion cross-legged as it reminds my brain what I’m supposed to be doing.
Focus on your breathing, in and out.
This is the important bit - when you have a thought, let it go and don’t follow it down a train of thought. Notice it and then go back to concentrating on the in and out of your breath.
Metaphors for this are that you’re sitting by a stream and the thoughts just drift past on the water, Or they’re clouds floating across the sky.
Set a timer for two minutes to start with and then try for longer.
It doesn’t work for everyone but I find it helps clear my head - like closing all the dozens of tabs open on internet browser so my computer works better!

Mindfulness meditation is about observing your thoughts and observing your physical presence in the moment. I wouldn't describe it in terms of boring or interesting. For me it's about finding a deep stillness in myself by observing my chattering mind and letting those thoughts go and by observing my body and my senses in the present moment. I found Mark Williams' Mindfulness book and recordings a really good introduction. Once you understand the technique you can use it when doing other things like walking or gardening.

I didn’t know this was a thing, it sounds nice! I’ll have a look online for one

@Lovelyview I think this is the thing, I feel like I understand the technique but most guided meditation encourages you to sit or lie down, close your eyes and do nothing which doesn’t appeal to me for some reason. Hadn’t really occurred to me that I could actually do something while practising the technique but that might make it more engaging

It's actually really nice to do when cleaning/tidying. Has to be quiet for me so not vacuuming but something gentle like tidying up.

I've been trying to meditate. I'm 79 and busy doing jobs that I enjoy , outside manly , so I do get tired . Breathing is key.....I've found . Even w hen walking my dog I find I'm still thinking about who I'd like to kill etc....or getting would up. So if I ty to breathe big steady in , hold it 2 or 3 secs the out through my mouth , really push it out , like a big sigh. I did that when I used to compete horses in dressage, if I forgot to do it I held my breath and went purple in the face....It makes a big difference. Unlike to do it with gentle music and birdsong when I'm cleaning up.