If you’re not a fan of meditation, don’t worry. There are alternative ways to heal your soul, as these celebrities vouch for new techniques… : The Tribune India

Sheet metal

Meditation is not everyone’s cup of tea. Recently, Google CEO Sundar Pichai confessed how he relies on NSDR (Non Sleep Deep Rest) podcasts for relaxation, instead of meditation. As Pichai gave social media a new story to tell, we find out what celebrities have been choosing as an alternative to meditation.

Breathe deeply

I do short breathing exercises; these are very comforting and can be done anywhere, anytime. Relaxation is very important to me as an artist due to the hectic lifestyle we are used to. I don’t try things by just looking at ads on social media. Normally, trying new relaxation routines has always been done on the recommendation of a friend and that too if he has benefited from it. –Jasmin Bhasin, actress

Yoga & chakras

I learned yoga and it really keeps me calm and positive. Speaking of ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) videos or audios, I also like to hear the natural music of flowing water automatically transferring me into a deep rest mode. Also, stargazing at night, especially when going to a hill station, is a favorite activity when I want to sit with myself. Relaxation is all the more necessary for artists than leading a disciplined life. The only way to deal with everyday stress is to find your activity de-stressing. I found out about chakra cleansing when a friend uploaded a video and tried it with guided meditation. It’s always useful. I now have a healer who cleans my chakras. — Adaa Khan, actress

To be optimistic

In today’s crazy and hectic lifestyle, traveling in the hills, listening to music and watching movies is soothing and meditative to some extent. But what makes me happy throughout the day is not skipping my morning ritual of listening to the chants of Shiva and Krishna. It helps me start my day optimistically. I am also Bhramkumari Shivani. The speeches are quite good. — Sharad Malhotra, actor

Tap the Good Vibes

Music has helped me lead a stress-free life. The flute works wonders and sets the right mood. I opt for vigorous dance moves when I feel weak. That said, meditation also plays an important role in my daily schedule. One trendy thing I’ve tried recently is “tapping”. It makes me feel good and positive. Social media is a good tool for suggestions, but you have to filter carefully. —Namita Lal, actress

Sleep a little

I do various things to relax. I think sleep is extremely important; it’s like a mini-break from all the stress you’ve been enduring during the day. Instead of meditation, I believe in detail therapy to calm my mind. I go window shopping to recharge my batteries. It’s such a stress reliever. A healthy trend I tried recently was intermittent fasting and had good results. It was relaxing, because I felt very light. But I don’t follow all trends. Only practices are on my list. —Charrul Malik, actress

Know these new ways to de-stress in the turbulent times we live in

ASMR: The term ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) was coined in 2010. It is a relaxing, often sedating sensation that begins on the scalp and travels down the body. Also known as “brain massage,” it is triggered by placid sights and sounds such as whispers, accents, and crackles.

NRDS: Non-Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR) was a term proposed by Stanford neuroscience professor Andrew Huberman. As he said, this includes “self-induction of a state of calm” and “focusing on something”. NSDR protocols can improve learning, help you relax, reduce stress, and fall asleep more easily.

EFT tapping: EFT stands for Emotional Freedom Techniques. EFT tapping falls into the category of body-focused therapies that help relieve stress quickly. It has its roots in the Chinese practice of acupuncture, which says that the body’s energy travels along specific pathways. Certain points on these pathways are stimulated to improve the flow of energy. During the 1970s, several physicians began to stimulate acupressure points to help their patients deal with stress, fear, and phobias. One of them, patented by Dr. Roger Callahan, is called Thought Field Therapy. Later, Gary Craig simplified the process and made it available to the public as EFT.