- Social distancing and quarantine due to the novel coronavirus pandemic can make you feel cooped up, anxious, or restless.
- But meditation, which offers a range of mental and physical benefits, is one way to combat any anxiety, or even sadness, you may be feeling.
- Ethan Nichtern, Buddhist teacher, author, and podcast host, shares four easy ways to deal with anxiety and stress during the pandemic, including a 20-minute guided meditation and a popular yoga exercise.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
If you're one of the millions of people social distancing or quarantining right now, you might waiver from boredom to overwhelmed in a matter of minutes. Although you may have more down time at home, you're likely feeling anything but relaxed.
That's completely normal during this strange time, said Ethan Nichtern, a Buddhist teacher, author, and host of the podcast "The Road Home."
"I think, for everyone, there's just this kind of invisible anxiety slash foreboding," he told Business Insider. "It doesn't feel like anyone's on vacation, you know, I haven't talked to anybody who feels that way."
So how do you feel more calm during this strange and unpredictable time?
Practicing meditation is one way to improve physical and mental health. A 2018 study by the University of Delhi showed that eight weeks of meditation and mindfulness reduced inflammation and hypertension in participants. A 2007 study published in the journal Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioral Neuroscience found that mindfulness meditation increased people's attention spans.
It's also good for your emotional well being. A 2009 meta analysis of research on mindfulness showed that the practice can reduce stress and cortisol levels. And Harvard University research shows that mindfulness may actually change the brain of people with depression.
Meditation doesn't have to be simply sitting in silence. Here are four creative ways to meditate or be more mindful.