The benefits of popular wellness activities are everywhere. A daily meditation practice can lower stress levels and reduce the risk of disease. Living mindfully can increase happiness and one’s sense of connection with others. Social ties and regular exercise are correlated with satisfaction and longevity. We’ve teamed up with MasterClass to share advice on some of the most popular group and event topics on Meetup. Read on for tips from trusted experts on how to make wellness a more significant part of your lifestyle.
Sink into the bliss of guided group meditation
One of the most popular types of wellness practices on Meetup is meditation. Thousands of meditation events happen on the platform each week, and new gatherings are scheduled daily. There’s a reason meditation is so popular: people who regularly meditate report feeling more calm, present, and at peace, both while meditating and between sessions.
And the experts agree. Jon Kabat-Zinn is a scientist, writer, and meditation expert credited with making mindfulness mainstream. With a Ph.D. in molecular biology from MIT, Jon brings a scientist’s perspective to the value of meditation. John Kabat-Zinn’s class includes six guided meditations. Catch a guided meditation session like the one above on your own or, better yet, view them with a group of people who share an interest in meditation.
If you’ve attempted to meditate before, it’s never too late to try again. Get back on the mat (or cushion, or sofa!) by joining wellness groups and registering for an event.
Find your mantra and slay any fitness class
Take care of your body and it will take care of you. Regular activity reduces the risk of illness, extends longevity, and can also boost your mental health.
A problem many people face when trying to focus on fitness is a lack of motivation. Even when you know that a morning run or after-work yoga class is good for you, it can still be hard to find the energy to make it happen.
There are lots of ways to make sure you stick with your fitness goals. First, consider making your activity goal small at first so the risk of failure is slight. Start with committing to a 10-minute workout every day. It’s easy to find ten minutes to take a quick stroll or lift some small weights between your daily tasks.
Another tried and true method is to find a workout partner or community of people who will keep you motivated. Find fitness groups for activities you like from hiking and cycling to pickleball and stand-up paddling.
Keep your practice going with help from professionals. Robin Arzón is making waves as the Vice President of Fitness Programming and the Head Instructor at Peloton. She’s run ultramarathons and written the bestselling book, Shut Up and Run. In her class with MasterClass, Robin focuses on mental toughness, overcoming challenges, coping with trauma, getting energized, and, of course, staying motivated.
Forge deeper bonds with others at every social outing
An overlooked aspect of wellness is having close personal relationships. Feeling connected to other people reduces loneliness, a condition that is so widespread in the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory on it. Emotional intelligence is a skill set that can be developed over time. If you’ve struggled with making friends or deepening the ties you have with existing contacts, you might want to consider spending some time on yourself to make the most out of your time with others.
If you’re looking to grow your social circle, try events for socializing near you. Commit to going to one event a week and saying hello to the people you meet. If you have friends but want to deepen your relationships, try calling up old friends. Take the initiative to reach out and suggest a time to meet—go on a walk together, grab some coffee, or even invite them to an event you think they’ll enjoy!
Get support from an expert in psychotherapy. Recognized as one of the most insightful and original voices on modern relationships, Esther Perel is a psychotherapist and author of the international bestseller Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence. In her class on MasterClass, she provides tools and concepts that function as a set of building blocks to communicate more effectively and build stronger relationships.
Discover—or rediscover—the joy of movement
There’s a reason why yoga is one of the most popular types of fitness classes in the world. Its unique balance of movement and philosophy makes it a practice with benefits for the body and mind.
If you’re looking to try yoga for the first time, or re-discover it after a hiatus, search for beginner yoga courses near you. Get started with groups like Storm Yoga (FREE YOGA in NYC), Virtual Yoga for Beginners, and Yoga Echo Park (YEP) on Meetup.
To try yoga on your own with a world-renowned instructor, check out Donna Farhi’s in-depth class on MasterClass. Meant for practitioners of all ages, in this class, viewers will get inspiration from the natural world and understand universal movement principles to ground a safe and sustainable yoga practice. Follow along with a yoga session above!
Last modified on January 9, 2024
