How to talk to your friends and family about meditation: A Q&A with Leah and Ofosu

Talking about meditation can feel, well, tricky. You might worry about sounding “weird” or like you’re pushing your ideas onto others. But sharing your experience with meditation doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. 

In this Q&A, meditation experts Leah Santa Cruz and Ofosu Jones-Quartey share their insights on how to navigate these conversations with ease.

1. How can someone talk about meditation without feeling like they’ll be judged or seen as “weird” by friends or family?

Leah: Modern meditation isn’t limited to religious or New Age practices—it’s a science-backed tool for improving focus, energy, sleep, and mood. To make it relatable, you could say, “Meditation is like going to the gym but for your mind.” Highlighting its use by universities, professional sports teams, and businesses worldwide can also help remove any stigma and normalize the practice.

Ofosu: Let your actions speak for themselves. If people notice you’re more present, calm, or kind, they might ask, “What’s your secret?” This gives you a natural opportunity to share how meditation has impacted your life.

2. What’s a good way to suggest meditation to someone going through a tough time without overstepping?

Leah: Speaking from personal experience can be more impactful than giving advice. For instance, you might say, “I’ve been in a similar situation, and meditation really helped me get through it.” Sharing specific benefits you’ve experienced can open the door for them to explore it, but remember that they may need time to come around to the idea.

Ofosu: Start with deep listening. Sometimes, people need to feel heard more than they need advice. Once you’ve understood their situation, you can gently mention how meditation has supported you during tough situations. If they’re interested, they’ll ask for more, and you can offer guidance from there.

3. How can people explain meditation’s mental health benefits without sounding preachy or like a sales pitch?

Leah: Focus on your own experiences. For example, you might say, “I started meditating because I heard it could help with stress, and it’s made such a difference in my mood and focus.” This allows people to connect with you on a deeper level without feeling like they’re being pressured or sold something.

Ofosu: Personal stories are always a great starting point. Share how meditation has helped you, and then, if they’re curious, you can back it up with relevant studies or facts. Speaking from the heart is often more relatable and engaging than quoting statistics.

4. How do you handle it when a loved one tries meditation once and says, “I’m bad at it” or “It didn’t work”?

Leah: It’s common for people to feel this way in the beginning. I like to compare meditation to learning a new sport—if no one teaches you the basics, it’s easy to feel lost or frustrated. Encourage them to try again with a resource like the Balance app, which offers foundational Plans to help build skills step-by-step.

Ofosu: First, I want to respect their point of view and not dismiss it. Then, I try to get curious and ask them what specifically they feel they are bad at. Often, there are expectations or misconceptions at the core of why people think meditation doesn’t work for them. I think it’s most important to listen and then share from my own experience. I’ve also had lots of challenges in my meditation practice, and once I hear somebody out, I can share my experience and hopefully offer something helpful. 

5. What are some creative ways to share a meditation practice with loved ones without making it feel too formal?

Leah: Offer to listen to a short guided meditation together as a fun and relaxing activity. You could also host a casual meditation group with snacks and conversation afterward. Alternatively, sending them a link to a meditation app (like Balance) or a specific recording you think they’d enjoy is a great way to share without pressure.

Ofosu: Gratitude practices can be an easy introduction. For example, during a gathering, invite everyone to reflect on one or two things they’re grateful for and take a few deep breaths before sharing. This simple practice is a short, informal way to introduce mindfulness in a group setting.

6. What’s a personal story or experience that helped change someone’s mind about meditation in your life?

Leah: I recently spoke with a woman grieving the loss of her husband. She admitted she’d never been open to meditation before but wanted to know more. I explained that meditation can help people process and move through difficult emotions like grief, anxiety, or sadness. I also shared that meditation is like daily maintenance for improving mental health and well-being and that there’s a practice for everyone, no matter their beliefs, background, culture, or lifestyle.Ofosu: A friend of mine was worried that having too many thoughts during meditation meant they were bad at it and considered giving up. I explained that thoughts aren’t the enemy—they’re just the activity of the mind. When I suggested they imagine their thoughts as clouds drifting by, it changed their perspective and helped them approach meditation with more curiosity and less pressure.