How to Open the Crown Chakra

Spend time in nature.

Your spiritual connection starts with the earth. Since the crown chakra represents your spiritual connection, what better way to open it than by being in nature? Adding daily outdoor walks to your routine or stepping out into the sun when you feel stressed can help balance your crown chakra. The weather doesn’t always work in our favor, and that’s okay! Like nature, we have mood swings, and it’s all about feeling them out. Dance in the rain, jump through the snow, or skip against the wind. Be mindful of your surroundings and enjoy what this world has to offer.

Add moments of silence to your routine.

The crown chakra comes down to one thing and one thing only: you. Your connection with your mind, body, and spirit is essential to opening this chakra, so sit with yourself and give yourself time to relax. Turn off all background noises like your TV or music, and find a quiet place to rest. Set aside 10 to 20 minutes each day to be still and do nothing. Unlike other chakras, the crown chakra prefers silence. Rather than repeating a mantra to yourself, explore what happens when you are completely and utterly silent.

Repeat positive affirmations.

What you say to yourself has great power. With the crown chakra being the gateway to your spirituality and thoughts in general, the words you think can make a huge impact. Remind yourself that you are powerful, intelligent, and creative with these affirmations: “I am at peace.” “I trust my intuition.” “I know my own voice.” “I am connected to the universe.” “I am a beautiful creation and create beautiful things.”

Surround yourself with the color purple.

Purple is connected to the crown chakra and can help move energy. The crown chakra’s energy is symbolized by purple. So, put on a purple outfit, slap on some purple-tinted glasses, or watch a video of purple visuals. While this color surrounds you, think about your spirituality. Ask yourself questions like: What is my purpose? How am I working with the universe? There’s no right or wrong way to do this—just have fun!

Add foods of strength to your diet.

Mushrooms, garlic, and coconut are some "power" foods you can try. Ginger, onion, and lychee also represent strength. Taking a few bites of these each day may help you open your crown chakra. What you put into your body matters as you absorb the energy you eat. In spiritual traditions, fasting is used to open the crown chakra. Some say pausing your food intake can help boost your energy and clear your mind. This method isn’t for everyone, so listen to your body and do what’s best for you.

Do breathing exercises.

A focused breath can help energize your crown chakra. Pranayama is the practice of focused breathing in yoga. A form of this practice called Nadi Shodhan, or alternate nostril breathing, can help relieve tension and open your crown chakra. All you have to do is close your eyes and follow these steps: Place your right thumb on your right nostril. Breathe in through your left nostril. Hold your breath, and move your thumb away from your nostril. Place your right ring finger on your left nostril and breathe out. Repeat these steps, alternating which nostril you cover and breathe through, until you feel relaxed.

Practice meditating.

Open the gateway to your spirituality by silencing the mind. The hustle and bustle of today’s culture can easily get in the way of our spiritual journey. Meditation is a great tool you can use to reconnect with your mind, body, and spirit, all in the comfort of your own home. Follow this meditation guide to open your crown chakra: Find a quiet spot and sit in a comfortable position. Close your eyes and focus on your inhales and exhales. When you feel your breaths get deeper, focus your attention on the top of your head. Imagine a purple ray of light entering your body through your head. With each inhale, the purple light grows and radiates through your body. With each exhale, the light leaves your body. Repeat this until you feel at peace.

Activate your energy with yoga poses.

Yoga is a great way to balance and channel the crown chakra’s energy. The crown chakra, being on the top of your head, can be opened with inversion and balancing poses. Inversions help energy flow to the top of your head right to your crown chakra, and balancing poses help focus your mind inward. Here are some poses you can try: Modified downward dog Lotus Tree Eagle Rabbit Headstand

Try centering mudras.

Think of mudras like yoga for the hands. These small hand movements can help energize and open your chakras. To do the crown chakra’s mudra, hold your hands out in front of your stomach. Interlace your fingers and point your pinkies up. Hold this pose for at least 2 minutes, keeping your breathes steady and full. You can do this mudra when you feel anxious to help reconnect with yourself and the universe.

Diffuse essential oils.

Use sandalwood or lotus to open your crown chakra. Scents can be a great way to reconnect with your spirit. Put an equal amount of these oils in a diffuser and keep it close to you while working, meditating, or even sleeping. The calming and earthy smells can help open your spiritual mind.

Cleanse your energy with crystals.

Purple crystals like amethyst and lepidolite can help cleanse your spirit. Crystals store and release energy, making them great tools to use when it comes to opening your chakras. Simply lay down and place these crystal on the top of your forehead, or hold it in your hands while meditating. You can do this when you’re feeling stressed, or start a weekly ritual to keep your crown chakra open.