Nine great reasons to meditate

Make peace with imperfections

Katie Piper: The reason I meditate is to bring myself back to the present moment. Meditation helps to remind myself “this is me”, which involves practising acceptance and letting go. When making peace with imperfections, I like to affirm out loud: “I will make the best of it, whatever IT is.”

Katie Piper is a best-selling author, speaker, TV presenter and charity founder

Release body tension

Alex Howard: I meditate because the calmer my nervous system, the easier everything in life becomes. So much of our physical and emotional energy gets wasted in unnecessary stress, and so by being consistent with a regular meditation practice, I find I have more energy and capacity for the things that really matter in life.

Alex Howard is an author, therapist and entrepreneur

Embrace vulnerability

Megan Rose Lane: I meditate because it’s like diving down to the stillness and silence that exists on the ocean floor beneath the choppy seas and storms. Every time the chaos of the world gets too much, I find the peace that always exists within me and get back to the core of who I am. This allows me to feel so rooted and connected to my truth, I’m able to express myself and drop any armour I’ve been holding to protect myself. Meditation is a practice that has always supported my vulnerability and connection to others.

Megan Rose Lane is a spiritual mentor and masterclass leader

Focus on gratitude

Rob da Bank: I meditate because since I've been meditating a whole new world has opened up to me which I can't live without. Connecting to that inner space and essentially, I suppose you’d call it finding my soul, has helped me navigate life so much better. I actually can't think about life without my meditation practice.

Rob Da Bank is a DJ, music festival founder and meditation teacher

Reduce stress levels

Hannah Barrett: I meditate to help me handle life better. Meditation helps me find calm in the chaos that is life. As a mum to two small children and constantly with a jam-packed work schedule, I need pockets of time to pause and find clarity amongst all the noise. It helps make me more resilient, calmer and to act rather than react.

Hannah Barrett is a yoga and meditation teacher and founder of the Yoga Happy app

Make friends with your thoughts

Gelong Thubten: Meditation is easier than you might think. I used to struggle with trying to clear my mind, but the more I tried to push my thoughts away the louder they would shout. Things changed when I stopped trying to silence those thoughts, and instead began to see them as helpful for my meditation. Thoughts make you strong… if you know what to do with them.

Gelong Thubten is a Buddhist monk and author of "A Monk’s Guide to Happiness" and "Handbook for Hard Times".

Navigate sadness

Jasmin Harsono: I meditate because it serves as a grounding and safe practice, offering space to explore my emotions, whether the sombre notes of sadness or other feelings. In this meditative space, I deeply listen to my inner self and intuition, understanding the ebb and flow of my emotional landscape. Navigating feelings with gentle empathy, supported by conscious breathing, I move through the emotional terrain with self-awareness. My practice is often supported by healing music, sounds, and voice, creating an immersive environment nurturing emotional exploration and healing.

Jasmin Harsono is an author, Reiki master teacher, sonic artist, and intuitive wellbeing guide

Build courage and confidence

Gabby Bernstein: I meditate because it keeps me in alignment with my authentic truth. My meditation practice has helped me get sober, and recover from traumatic memory and postpartum depression. At my lowest lows, meditation is always there to pick me up off the ground and rescue me.

Gabby Bernstein is a spiritual leader, motivational speaker and author, including her most recent book ‘Happy Days: The Guided Path From Trauma to Profound Freedom and Inner Peace.’