Anya Taylor-Joy Shared an Unusual Trick That Helped Her Meditate

Drown out the neighborhood noise and focus on your breathing. Sit in an upright position and relax your body. There are tons of suggestions for improving meditation out there and “The Queen’s Gambit” star Anya Taylor-Joy has an unusual one to add to the list — ride a roller coaster and don’t scream.

In a recent interview with the New York Times, Taylor-Joy said, “Here’s a random challenge for people to try: Go on a roller coaster and try not screaming. I just did it, and you know how they snap the photograph? My friends screamed their faces off, and I looked like Yoda. That roller coaster ride was game-changing.”

She added, “Everything is moving so fast, and your only job is to keep calm — the center of the storm. Your breathing deepens in a way you’ve never experienced before. I have never felt more calm. It’s a very random tip, but just give it a go.”

Taylor-Joy shared a list of her self-care habits — some that can be weaved into the average day and are proven to have a lasting impact on peace of mind, including dedicated quiet time ahead of the chaos of the day. Prioritizing quiet time, according to PsychCentral, helps with creativity, self-awareness, self-reflection, sensitivity, insomnia, and more. “I make it a priority to have an hour to myself in the morning. I’m usually around a lot of people, so I need at least an hour to charge up for the day,” she said. 

For other self-care traditions — nighttime baths and a reliable hair and skin routine — Taylor-Joy credits her mother’s influence. “My mom loves a bath. When I was little, I remember we would take one together,” she said. “I make my baths kind of fancy. It’s very Valentine’s Day but just for me!” She heightens the experience by adding essential oils into the mix. “I love to cover my body in coconut or almond oil before I get into the bath. Sometimes I mix in drops of lavender, rose or patchouli essential oils.”