8 Types of Meditation to Find Your Calm

Meditation isn’t one-size-fits-all. Different styles suit different people. This guide walks you through 8 popular ways to meditate, how each works, and which might fit you best for calming the mind and reducing stress.

Why Trying Different Meditation Styles Helps

• Everyone’s mind and stress level is different , a style that feels calming for one person may feel frustrating for another
• Some meditations are still and quiet; others involve movement, visualization, or sound, variety helps you find what really relaxes you
• Consistency matters more than perfection; you’ll stick more to a style you enjoy

8 Types of Meditation to Try

Mindfulness Meditation

• Sit quietly, focus on breath, notice thoughts without judging them
• Practice being present with everyday activities, like walking or eating mindfully
• Helps with stress reduction, and strengthens focus and awareness

Spiritual Meditation

• Connect with meaning, purpose, or beliefs you feel in your life
• Techniques may include silent prayer, chanting, or devotional phrases
• Good if you want deeper sense of connection or spiritual peace

Focused Meditation

• Pick an object, sound, phrase, or point to concentrate on
• When the mind wanders, gently bring it back to the focus
• Develops mental discipline and reduces distractibility

Movement Meditation

• Meditation while in motion: walking, gentle yoga, tai chi or simple movement patterns
• Focus on how movement feels rather than thinking about it
• Useful if sitting still is hard or you want meditation + mild physical activity

Transcendental Meditation (TM)

• Involves repeating a mantra silently to settle the mind
• Typically practiced for short periods two times a day in some traditions
• Helps to promote deep relaxation and mental clarity

Guided Meditation

• Follow instructions from a guide (live, audio, or video) who helps you with imagery, body scans, or visualization
• Helpful if new to meditation or if you prefer structure or someone leading you

Vipassana Meditation

• Focus on observing your thoughts, feelings, body sensations without judgment or reaction
• Goal is to increase awareness, self-acceptance, and to respond more thoughtfully in life

Visualization Meditation

• Use your imagination to picture a calm or peaceful place, or desired outcome or goal
• Can include imagining scenes, sounds, senses to calm the mind
• Useful for relaxation, stress management, improving mood or even performance (e.g. sports, study, creativity)

How to Choose and Start a Meditation Type That Suits You

• Try short sessions first — even 5 minutes to see how it feels
• Start with something you think might appeal most (movement, visual, spiritual, silence) and see if it gives peace or comfort
• Observe how your body and mind respond — do you feel calmer, more focused, or more agitated after trying one style?
• Allow flexibility: you might use different styles on different days, depending on mood or stress

Benefits You May Notice

• Lower stress, less anxiety
• Improved concentration and clarity of thought
• Better emotional regulation — more peace with everyday ups and downs
• A more stable mood, sometimes better sleep
• Greater self-awareness and calmness with your thoughts

Final Thoughts

There’s no “best” meditation style — only what works for you. The more you experiment, the more likely you are to find a way that you stick with. Consistency, small daily effort, and choosing a practice that feels comfortable are the keys. Even a few minutes each day can add up to much more calm and clarity over time.