When we think of alone time, we often picture ourselves shopping without chasing children, having a quiet pedicure, or simply lying in the bathtub uninterrupted. For some truly quality alone time, you don’t have to go much further than inside your own mind. Meditation is a contemplative state where by you silently remove yourself from the physical and the present to reflect, increase clarity, and find a more serene or deeper state of consciousness.
It’s an ancient practice, often associated with yoga, that’s becoming increasingly popular in our scattered, harried, pressure-cooked society. Business professionals use it to decompress after a tough meeting or even find their center before heading in to the bull pen. Men and women alike use meditation to strengthen their minds, reduce stress, and even attain that “me time” that is so necessary.
It’s something Julia Roberts’ character in Eat Pray Love grappled with during the pray portion of her journey at an Indian ashram. But in real life, celebrities are embracing it seemingly with ease for a vast many reasons.
For instance, Richard Gere says a meditation practice helps him to stay grounded amongst the excess of Hollywood life. Eva Mendes credits meditation for helping her mine her best creativity, according to Well and Good. And Gisele Bundchen, who delivered her second child at home this month, has called meditation the source for her post-baby weight loss.
“A regular meditation practice creates mindfulness. Being mindful helps keep us from feeling distracted and impatient with life when things don’t go our way,” said Jill Lawson, our resident yogi expert. “When we are fully aware of our feelings through the practice of meditation, we can move toward being more proactive, instead of reactive. Taking action versus being frustrated is the first step in living a joyful life.”
We found 20 famous men and women who have dedicated themselves to the art and practice of meditation. If this group can make Power Bracelets, veganism, and the Master Cleanse a storming success, maybe they can serve as models to make us all a bit more mindful out here in the real world.
10 Famous Women Who Meditate
Giselle Bundchen
Eva Mendes
Angelina Jolie
Demi Moore
Katy Perry
Kourtney Kardashian
Oprah Winfrey
Kristen Bell
Ellen DeGeneres
Halle Berry
10 Famous Men Who Meditate
Richard Gere
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Hugh Jackman
Russell Brand
Paul McCartney
Jerry Seinfeld
Will Smith
Clint Eastwood
Tiger Woods
Deepak Chopra M.D.
“I’m quite a neurotic thinker, quite an adrenalised person. But after meditation, I felt this beautiful serenity and selfless connection,” Russell Brand has been quoted as saying about his meditative practice. He, along with many listed here including Eva Mendes and Oprah, follow a specific practice known as Transcendental Meditation. It’s a simple form of meditation practiced for 20 minutes twice a day.
“The more frequently you practice meditation, the more familiar you will become with feelings of mindfulness, until eventually, your meditation practice will carry into all of your daily activities,” said Lawson. It’s something Angelina Jolie is already putting in to practice, as she finds moments to meditate on throughout her day, no doubt a challenge with her brood!
As you look for opportunities for self improvement now and in to the new year, consider meditation. Lawson said, “New Year’s resolutions require focus, patience, and tenacity to achieve. Meditating with an intention to be successful at whatever endeavor you choose is a great way to strengthen your will power. Believing in yourself when your old bad habits rear their ugly heads will help keep you moving forward.”
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Health Lessons Learned in Eat, Pray, Love
images via cinemablend.com, usmagazine.com, fitperez.com