Hollywood’s famous faces are normally the root of all new wellness trends, and it seems that the art of meditation has become all the rage, and for good reason.
From Beyoncé to Oprah, a plethora of celebrities have come forward to explain how centring their minds and meditating has done wonders for their mental well-being. Whether it’s to reduce anxiety or to increase energy, there’s no denying that meditation has become the new go-to wellness ritual.
Meditation comes in many shapes and forms. From Transcendental Meditation to Moving Meditation, there are countless ways to achieve zen, and many others already practising them.
Below, find out which Hollywood stars have revealed their love for meditation, and exactly how it helps keep them centred.
Tracee Ellis Ross
In the wake of the anti-racism protests continuing in the U.S., Tracee Ellis Ross took to her Instagram to share her soothing self-care exercise with her followers. In her IGTV video, Ross demonstrates three breathing techniques that she uses when she feels stressed, and has relied on them throughout the Black Lives Matter movement.
In the caption, the actor notes the importance of self-care at a time when “necessary tectonic shifts are happening in our world”, and emphasises how she frequently uses these breathing techniques “to connect me to the present moment and to create space in my body. I use sound as a way to release vibrationally and energetically.”
Oprah Winfrey
While most meditation focuses on helping to manage stress, improve creativity and boost energy, there is a certain form of meditation that celebrities, like Oprah Winfrey, favours.
Transcendental Meditation (otherwise known as ‘TM’), is a form of silent mantra meditation, that involves the use of a mantra and is practised for 20 minutes, twice per day, while sitting with one’s eyes closed.
Winfrey has previously admitted that learning how to meditate was one of the “most life-enhancing things I ever did,” she told comedian Amy Schumer in a 2018 interview for Oprah’s Super Soul Conversations.
In a 2011 interview with The Dr. Oz Show, Winfrey admitted to bringing a teacher into production company, Harpo Studios, to teach the employees how to meditate. The staff would take two breaks during the day to meditate, Winfrey said. ”[It] brings a kind of energy and an intensity of energy, an intention that we have never had before.”
Beyoncé Knowles
Even global superstars like Beyoncé rely on the relaxing self-care ritual to bring them calm. In an interview with ELLE U.S., Knowles spoke of relying on tools like meditation and breathing techniques to bring her body back to full health, after a difficult year.
“After having a difficult pregnancy, I took a year to focus on my health. I have researched information on homeopathic medicines.” Knowles said. “I don’t just put any prescription in my body. My diet is important, and I use tools like acupuncture, meditation, visualization, and breathing exercises.”
Dakota Johnson
For celebrities and regular folk alike, anxiety can creep up at any given moment. And it seems like the global pandemic has welcomed stress and anxiety with open arms. Recently, Dakota Johnson revealed her struggles with mental health, particularly while in isolation.
Speaking to Extra, the actress spoke out about how she manages her mental health in lockdown and how practising activities, such as meditation, has been helpful for her, saying:
“Meditation or going for a walk, being kind to your body… Those little things make a difference ultimately.”
Lady Gaga
Much like Dakota Johnson, Lady Gaga has found that her own struggles with mental health remain constant without practising techniques to keep it at bay.
While she certainly uses it personally, Lady Gaga also likes to encourage her followers to try the method for themselves. The singer has previously hosted a live 20-minute meditation on her Instagram in an attempt to spread love, saying:
“If you choose to meditate with me I will explain how meditation is important in my life and how I will be doing I practice it before we get started. See you then ✌️ It will be very helpful to be in a quiet dark space, but anywhere is fine as long as we’re together.”
Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez continues to be an open book when it comes to her mental health. Speaking up about her struggles with anxiety and depression, Gomez spent the better part of 2018 seeking treatment to repair her well-being.
According to People, the singer completed a two-week program in New York City, where she stayed on-site at a centre to undergo therapy, eat healthy meals and take Pilates and meditation sessions.
In an Instagram IGTV, Gomez also credits her love for Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for helping her manage depression and anxiety. The technique, a form of talk therapy, teaches patients how to “accept” uncomfortable thoughts in order to make it easier to change them, and also places an emphasis on meditation and breathing techniques as a way to respond to negative stressors.
Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes
While many struggled with their mental health in lockdown, it seems like celebrities have too. In an Instagram post, Camila Cabello opened up about her personal struggles with anxiety and stress, citing that meditation has changed her life.
The “Havana” singer continued to point out the benefits of meditation, including how it makes her feel closer to nature and more in tune with her own emotions and those of people around her.
“Not only does it help in times like this with stress and anxiety, meditation is the practice of strengthening habits like empathy, love, and compassion—making you feel more connected to not only everybody around you, but living beings in general like animals, plants, and the earth, which is a living being, itself.”
On an Instagram live, Cabello and partner Shawn Mendes both acknowledged the importance of safe-guarding mental health during these trying times. In the video, the two meditated and spoke to Jeff Warren, an author and meditation instructor, whose How to Meditate: A Simple 30-Day Program For Everyone (available via the Calm app) couldn’t be recommend highly enough by the couple. Mendes and Cabello also recommended one of their favourite meditation apps to use, Ten Percent Happier.
Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato has always been open about their ongoing struggle with depression in her teenage years, and continues to work hard at looking after their own well-being.
Speaking to Closer, the singer spoke of the chosen methods they use to keep them on track, including meditation.
They said: “You have to stay strong as my book says. I meditate in the morning and take ten minutes out of my day to read inspirational quotes that I’ve come up with on my own. I wanted to put them out there so that my fans would know how I’ve managed to stay strong.”
Chloë Grace Moretz
Chloë Grace Moretz has always been an open book about her own health and wellness—and she’s proud of it.
In 2018, the actor shared that she struggles with anxiety, and spoke about how she overcomes it to take care of her mental health, in an interview with Us Weekly.
“Meditation is really wonderful. Therapy is really wonderful. Working out is great,” Moretz said. “I think it’s always important to check in with yourself and keep an open dialogue with your heart and mind.”
Ellie Goulding
When the musician isn’t singing at Royal Weddings or creating incredible music, she spends her time meditating. Speaking to Well + Good, Goulding broke down her morning routine which included, you guessed it, meditation.
“It’s such an important thing for keeping my anxiety at bay. I listen to a lot of meditation music and classical music.”
Lizzo
On March 14, amidst the coronavirus lockdown, singer Lizzo hosted a meditation on Instagram Live to encourage her fans to find some calm in the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Featuring Lizzo playing her flute, while seated in front of a collection of crystal and smoking incense, the video included the caption: “A meditation and mantra to promote healing during this global crisis,”
During the video, Lizzo spoke to her followers directly, and encouraged them to stay calm in the global crisis, saying: “We’re going to come together and take deep breaths and we’re going to join in agreement, and we’re going to try to eliminate the fear as much as we can, as we work together during this trying time. During this global pandemic.”
Jonathan Van Ness
While Queer Eye’s resident beauty guru enjoys his morning yoga routine, he also makes sure to meditate. “I like to sit still and do a proper meditation for, like, three minutes,” Van Ness revealed in an interview in 2018.
But he also considers his physicalilty as a part of his practice. “Yoga is kind of a moving meditation,” he states. “It’s really about doing it every day and doing it for a small amount, because the point is just doing it every day… And then a similar time of day is important for your nervous system to get the benefits from the meditation.”
Kelly Rowland
The Desinty’s Child alum finds meditation to be one of the best forms of self-care and practices as much as she can. In an interview with Us in 2019, Rowland spoke of how she tries to “actually make sure that I make time” for meditation each day.
“You can just shut things off for a minute. Even if it’s five minutes, ten minutes, I swear by meditation. I feel like it’s a way to kind of empty out all your thoughts and be able to put things into perspective.”
Rowland also credits app to help her along in the pursuit of zen. “You have to find the one that you like and sometimes you might even find it in a nature sound,” she added. But no matter how she gets to that headspace, meditation helps her relate to others.
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus doesn’t shy away from discussing her personal life. In an interview with ELLE U.S., Cyrus also shared one of her favourite wellness habits, saying:
“I try to meditate the night before interviews on what my goal is, what I want this to say about me.”
Jenna Dewan
The Step Up actress and professional dancer has frequently opened up about her wellness journey. Speaking to Us in 2018, Dewan spoke about how she enjoys practising Ziva Meditation, saying: “I have learned the hard way about burning the candle at both ends.” But, before she gets that feeling, she adds, “I try and… go and have a spa day or even a hike with friends. Or meditate, I know that sounds so boring, but that’s literally what I do.”
This feature is part of the Positivity Project in partnership with Kellogg’s Special K, empowering Australian women to feel good, strong and confident in their own skin.
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