Stress can show up in any form, at any time - and it can be easy to succumb to it. Concerns such as school, friends, finances, family and our jobs can make life seem overwhelming - and sometimes it can be!
It's bad enough that stress can make its way into our everyday lives, but if we allow it to go on inside us without addressing it, we can face serious psychological, emotional and even physiological damage. So, how does one go about battling stress?
Meditation is not only one of the best ways to reduce stress; it's also one of the most well-studied and easiest ways to feel better. Though, to a modern reader - particularly the skeptic - meditation sounds rather woo-woo, it's not: not only has it been seen in every culture in the world over the last thousand years, there are scientific studies that have proven its value. By following the steps below, you'll learn how to silence your mind and to deeply relax. Afterwards, you'll wonder why you didn't start meditating sooner!
Begin each relaxation time by reducing distractions, noise, and interruptions. Give yourself the time and privacy you need. Find a comfortable sitting position, wear loose and comfortable clothing. Relax and take several deep breathes. Close your eyes and try to mentally focus on one peaceful word, thought, or image.
If there is a picture, a memory, a vision of the future or a thought that tends to calm you down, try to picture that in your mind. For some people it's the sound of the ocean, for others its waterfalls, and for yet others, the memory of staring off a mountain peak (but it really could be anything at all). Clear your head, let your muscles loosen up and stop worrying about what is going on around you. Relax and enjoy the peace that your image, picture, memory or vision of the future brings to you.
Pay full attention to the image and the serene calm it brings you for as long as possible. And while you could force the image to stay, it's better to just let it slip away once your concentration starts to break. Allow yourself to come back to reality by deeply exhaling and extending your muscles. Congratulate yourself, because you've now meditated - and it was a lot simpler than you thought, wasn't it?
This simple exercise is very effective because it allows you to reset your mental state. This is also the launching point for many other, more complex meditation exercises that will give you even more relaxation, and by practicing often you will gradually learn to sustain a meditative state. Once you've mastered it, you may want to take it to the next level by going deeper into the meditative trance.
Any stress relief activity can benefit from starting with this simple exercise. Adding a phrase or chant may also aid you in your relaxation as well - things like, "all is as it should be", or, "take it easy" are good examples.
So find a phrase and an image that works for you, and then practice every time you're feeling worried, anxious or stressed. This simple meditation technique is a great way to relax, and will do more to improve your health and reduce stress than anything else, and the only side effect is a calmer and healthier life as a result of your improved mood!
It's bad enough that stress can make its way into our everyday lives, but if we allow it to go on inside us without addressing it, we can face serious psychological, emotional and even physiological damage. So, how does one go about battling stress?
Meditation is not only one of the best ways to reduce stress; it's also one of the most well-studied and easiest ways to feel better. Though, to a modern reader - particularly the skeptic - meditation sounds rather woo-woo, it's not: not only has it been seen in every culture in the world over the last thousand years, there are scientific studies that have proven its value. By following the steps below, you'll learn how to silence your mind and to deeply relax. Afterwards, you'll wonder why you didn't start meditating sooner!
Begin each relaxation time by reducing distractions, noise, and interruptions. Give yourself the time and privacy you need. Find a comfortable sitting position, wear loose and comfortable clothing. Relax and take several deep breathes. Close your eyes and try to mentally focus on one peaceful word, thought, or image.
If there is a picture, a memory, a vision of the future or a thought that tends to calm you down, try to picture that in your mind. For some people it's the sound of the ocean, for others its waterfalls, and for yet others, the memory of staring off a mountain peak (but it really could be anything at all). Clear your head, let your muscles loosen up and stop worrying about what is going on around you. Relax and enjoy the peace that your image, picture, memory or vision of the future brings to you.
Pay full attention to the image and the serene calm it brings you for as long as possible. And while you could force the image to stay, it's better to just let it slip away once your concentration starts to break. Allow yourself to come back to reality by deeply exhaling and extending your muscles. Congratulate yourself, because you've now meditated - and it was a lot simpler than you thought, wasn't it?
This simple exercise is very effective because it allows you to reset your mental state. This is also the launching point for many other, more complex meditation exercises that will give you even more relaxation, and by practicing often you will gradually learn to sustain a meditative state. Once you've mastered it, you may want to take it to the next level by going deeper into the meditative trance.
Any stress relief activity can benefit from starting with this simple exercise. Adding a phrase or chant may also aid you in your relaxation as well - things like, "all is as it should be", or, "take it easy" are good examples.
So find a phrase and an image that works for you, and then practice every time you're feeling worried, anxious or stressed. This simple meditation technique is a great way to relax, and will do more to improve your health and reduce stress than anything else, and the only side effect is a calmer and healthier life as a result of your improved mood!
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