Ryan Cooper will make your morning in 17 minutes.
Did you know that meditation has all sorts of health benefits? In a 2019 study, 153 adults used a meditation app for two weeks; as a result, they experienced reduced feelings of loneliness and increased social contact — which sounds like a pretty good deal in exchange for just a little time spent focusing on yourself. But if you’re new to meditation, it’s easy to be overwhelmed with this seemingly simple skillset. There are different methods to choose from and a whole host of practitioners and apps that promise to settle your mind. Where do you even start?
Fortunately, our fave wellness enthusiast Ryan Cooper has made things easy for us. His latest meditation video is as beginner-friendly as they come. Firstly, it’s on the short side: Clocking in at 17 minutes, this session is long enough for you to really check in with yourself, but not so long that you get intimidated before you can even press play.
Secondly, this video has a simple yet deep intent: Cooper aims to help you engage with yourself to identify expectations you may have unconsciously set for yourself or others. “Expectations fly below our radar,” Cooper says in the video, quoting author Brené Brown. “[They] cause havoc on things we care about until they turn to rubble.”
“It’s our responsibility to identify the expectations that we hold,” he continues. “Where did the expectation come from? Why is it there? What is it indicating?” As the video continues, Cooper gives you gentle advice on how to let go of these standards you’ve been trying to adhere to — unintentionally or not. You’ll leave this session with a new goal: To try and let go of those expectations as much as possible so that you can focus on your strengths and the positive aspects of your relationships.
Feeling better already? Cooper’s full programs include more of these wellness routines, alongside high-intensity workouts, nutritional advice, and — on some levels — one-on-one training. Plus, he’s cutting a deal for Katie Couric Media readers who want to continue working with him: Just use the code KCM50 to get 50 percent off any package on Cooper’s site.
