If you want to know what your society is thinking about, take a look at Google keywords. The data doesn’t lie. And right now, the data says that people are pretty stressed out. They’re searching now more than ever for ways to relax. According to Google Trends data, searches for yoga and meditation apps grew 65% year-over-year from 2016 to 2017.[1] And in early May of 2020, four of the top trending search topics were “meditation”, “breathing exercises”, “relaxation”, and “how to calm down”.[2] Meditation is an effective stress-relief method, but there’s no “one size fits all” solution for stress. So although meditation is a great option for some, it might not be the right one for you. Here might be why.

1. Meditation is a marathon, not a sprint.

Some compare meditation to learning a new language or playing an instrument.[3] When you’re willing to spend the time to perfect your practice, you’ll see progress and experience benefits. In the case of meditation, these benefits include increased attention and improved cognition, among others.[4] But in order to see these results, you will need to commit the time and effort it takes to get there. 

Is it the quickest and easiest way to achieve relaxation? Probably not. It’s a process which requires discipline. If you’re not ready to put in the work, meditation might not be your ideal stress-relief solution.

2. It doesn’t always feel natural.

For some people, meditation is not intuitive. Especially at the beginning of your practice, it’s not uncommon to feel a bit awkward or unnatural. You might ask yourself, “Am I doing this right?” And that’s perfectly normal! It can feel odd to sit quietly with your eyes closed, focusing on your breathing and bodily sensations. 

Some people find themselves feeling fidgety, bored, or scatterbrained. With consistency, your practice will improve. You can also try playing some calming music for anxiety while meditating, to help you ease into it. But if you prefer a relaxation technique that feels more intuitive, meditation may not be your top choice.

3. You “don’t have time.”

We get it. You’re busy! But meditation is more about consistency than actual time. If you only have 15 minutes to spare, that’ll do just fine, as long as you continue to practice each day. However, some people find that even committing to a short daily meditation session can be difficult. When they do have a little time to spare, they would rather unwind in a way that aligns with their interests, such as watching a show or reading a book, or even listening to calming music for anxiety by their favorite artists.  We all need a good binge-watching session every now and then. So if you’re not ready to prioritize meditation during your free time, other stress-relief solutions might suit you better.

Those who find meditation isn’t their perfect stress-relief strategy may find that other options are more suited to their lifestyle. Some people turn to exercise while others seek out a creative outlet. One method that many find effective is music. Music is already such a prevalent and universal force in our lives. It is so intertwined with us that it is hard to imagine a world without it. Recent music therapy research suggests that restorative music is an intuitive and effective way to release stress and improve your state of mind.