Stress is a normal part of most people’s lives. While stress does serve a purpose, too much of it can lead to physical and emotional problems. Meditation is an effective way to decrease stress in your life and help your overall well-being.
Why Meditating Decreases Stress
According to the MayoClinic.com, meditation helps to invoke a state of tranquility and relaxation in the mind. It brings about a sense of calmness, peacefulness and emotional stability. The benefits of meditation extend into your life, long after your meditation session has ended.
Mayoclinic.com explains that meditation allows you to “clear away the information overload that builds up every day.” Clearing your mind of distracting thoughts, helps you gain new perspectives and develop fresh, productive ways of handling stress and problems. Meditation encourages self-awareness and teaches you to be in the moment, focusing on the present, not your ever-growing to-do list. This is why meditating decreases stress and has lasting effects on your emotional and physical well-being.
How to Meditate
Meditation is convenient and can be done in the comfort of your own home or office. Author and meditation expert Sakyong Mipham explains how to meditate in his book, Ruling Your World [Broadway, 2005]:
- Sit upright with your hands resting on your thighs. Your arms, shoulders, back of the neck, face and jaw should all be relaxed. Gaze downward with your eyes half-way shut.
- Start your session with a positive thought that indicates the beginning of your meditation such as, “Now I will begin to work with my mind and develop peace.”
- Place your mind on the breath. If you are having difficulty staying focused on the breath, count the in and out breaths. Breathe in and out and count, “one”; do it again, and count, “two”-- up to 27, then start over.
- When you find yourself thinking, simply label it “thinking,” and return your attention to the breath. Don’t judge the thoughts or berate yourself for having them, just notice that you’re thinking and continue meditating.
Begin meditating just 5 minutes at the beginning of your day and gradually work your way up to 10 minutes or more. You can also implement breathing/meditation techniques throughout your day. If you begin feeling anxiety and stress set in, close your eyes and take 5 deep breaths—breathing in for 10 seconds and then breathing out for 10 seconds.
Use meditation to combat stress and begin enjoying the positive effects on your overall well-being and quality of life.
Sara Schapmann - Sara Schapmann is a Chicago-based writer and editor who carries an eclectic bag of expertise. Sara is a contributing author for several ...
