Meditation vs Relaxation

Even though the words relaxation and meditation are often used to describe the same thing, they’re actually pretty different.

When you’re looking to just relax, you probably know how to make it happen. Whether you bust out a lawn chair, grab a book, or put on your favorite album, relaxation is basically a matter of taste.

Mindfulness meditation is more like exercise, something you do for long-term health rather than short-term pleasure. You’re training your mind to be in the here and now, which takes time and practice. When you meditate, relaxation isn’t the goal, but more of a nice side effect.