Meditation For Stress

Meditation is a process that anyone can use to reduce stress and regain mental focus and clarity.  There’s nothing magical or mystical about the process.  In fact, the process is entirely physiological.  Mediation helps bring brainwaves and brain chemicals back into balance, in much the same way sleep does each night.

There are many different types of meditation.  You can use special audio programs to guide yourself, or you can use a simplified form of meditation that requires only a relaxing position and a few minutes of peace and quiet, or at least some uninterrupted time.

Here’s a simple meditation routine you can use anywhere:

• Start by sitting comfortably, whereever and however you are comfortable.
• Close your eyes.
• Take a deep breath, hold it for ten seconds, then slowly release it.
• Now start by relaxing your muscles starting from either your toes and working up, or the top of your head and working down.
• Notice each and every muscle group as you relax it individually.  (This may take practice.)
• Focus your attention on breathing slowly and rhythmically.
• Pay attention to your breathing, as it will help guide you into a meditative state.
• Keep breathing, counting each breath if you need to in order to keep your mind focused.
• Keep this up for anywhere from 5-20 minutes, as you have time or desire.

You can also focus on an object like a candle, photograph, or object.  You can use various sounds like your own voice humming or chanting, music, relaxation sounds, brainwave entrainment CDs, or other noises you find helpful.  Imagery is also helpful.  Imagining yourself in the calmest, most serene environment you can personally imagine is very soothing.

Don’t dismiss meditation as new-age mumbo jumbo until you’ve given it a try.  Most people are shocked at just how effective it can really be!